The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has confirmed that it allows the public to purchase food online from companies abroad without prior approval, but buying drugs and herbal products need its authorization.
Transport and courier companies are allowed to bring food into the country that has been purchased on the Internet, the SFDA said in a press statement on Tuesday.
The normal legal procedure is to refer the customs documentation of the imported food shipments to inspection departments at the point of entry, or the closest department in an area. These consignments would then be checked to see whether they comply with standard SFDA regulations. The transport companies and recipients must work with customs and SFDA inspectors at the points of entry or the nearest food inspection department, according to the press statement.
The SFDA said it had earlier issued warnings that the public must seek approval before making any purchase on the Internet of drug, health or herbal products. The regulations for these purchases are posted on the SFDA website, it said.
The SFDA said that some transport and courier companies are incorrectly telling their clients to seek pre-authorization for the import of food.
Drugs bought on Internet need prior SFDA approval
Drugs bought on Internet need prior SFDA approval
KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah meets UN Yemen coordinator for aid reviews
- German lawmakers praise KSrelief for humanitarian projects globally
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief held a briefing session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which is a diagnosis of the support needed by communities in crisis across the world.
The session was organized in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The session included senior officials from KSrelief and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
The participants discussed mechanisms for preparing the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview and highlighted key differences from previous years.
The participants also addressed the need for funding in crisis-hit areas including Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan.
These measures aim to strengthen focus on critical priorities, enhance the efficiency of humanitarian responses, support localization efforts, and promote work based on humanitarian principles.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they discussed relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as updates on projects in Yemen. Harneis praised the efforts provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to support communities in Yemen.
Separately, Al-Rabeeah also held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the UN Common Fund for Commodities, to discuss relief issues.
Belal commended Saudi Arabia for assisting those affected around the world, highlighted the center’s strong international reputation.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Germany’s parliament, headed by Alexander Radwan, a member of the nation’s foreign affairs committee, visited KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.
During the visit, the German lawmakers met with several KSrelief officials to discuss relief efforts.
The German officials praised KSrelief for planning and implementing relief projects worldwide, and highlighted the agency’s reputation globally in the field.
