Pet Food Registration in UAE | Compliance & Process

Pet Food Registration in UAE is important for any business importing, distributing or selling pet food. This process ensures product safety that meets UAE veterinary standards & easy customs clearance. With approval, your products can reach a growing market of pet owners who demand quality and safety.

1. Introduction

Here’s the key: if you want to import, distribute or sell pet food in the UAE, you must register your products. Pet Food Registration in UAE is more than paperwork; it mainly ensures that every product meets local veterinary safety standards, protects pets & builds trust with consumers.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is the primary authority that often works with the Dubai Municipality to approve products. If you skip registration, your shipment could be delayed, rejected or seized. Let’s break down what Pet Food Registration in UAE involves, why it matters & how to get it done correctly.

2. Benefits of Pet Food Registration in UAE

• Access to a regulated market
  Only pet food products that are officially registered with UAE authorities can be legally imported, distributed & sold across all retail and online channels
  
• Legal compliance
  Registering pet food ensures you meet with UAE import and export regulations that protect your business from legal penalties or operational issues
  
• Consumer confidence
  Pet owners rely on registered products they knowing that every ingredient and nutritional claim has been verified for safety and quality
  
• Avoid fines or seizures
  Unregistered pet food shipments may be stopped at customs, which may result in fines, seizure or even permanent denial of market access
  
• Business growth opportunities
  Registered pet food can reach more retailers, veterinary clinics & e-commerce platforms & allows brands to expand quickly in UAE market

3. Regulatory Authority for Pet Food in UAE

• MOCCAE: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment oversees pet food approval that ensures products meet safety, quality & regulatory standards across the UAE
• Dubai Municipality: This authority collaborates with MOCCAE while managing import clearance that verifies pet food labels & ensures it meets local health and safety requirements
• Safety & Veterinary Standards: Products are reviewed for quality ingredients, proper nutritional value & if they comply with UAE veterinary and food safety guidelines before entering the market

4.Step-by-Step Process of Pet Food Registration

• Company formation
  Before registering pet food, your business must have a valid trade license that covers import and distribution. This step establishes your company as legally authorized to handle pet food within the UAE market.
• MOCCAE account creation
  Once business is licensed you must create an account on MOCCAE’s official e-service portal. This account is where you’ll upload applications, submit documents & track the progress of your pet food registration directly with the authorities.
• Document submission
  You’ll need to upload major documents such as certificates of analysis, health certificates & product labels. Accurate and fully complete submissions are critical, as any missing or incorrect documents may cause registration delays or rejection.
• Product evaluation
  Regulators or the authorities carefully review your product details. They analyze the ingredient list, nutritional values & also the packaging to ensure everything meets the UAE pet food regulations and standards. It also includes proper labelling in both Arabic and English.
• Laboratory testing (if needed)
  Certain products may require lab testing to verify safety and quality, so samples are checked for contaminants, accurate composition & their nutritional claims. This step helps authorities confirm the product is safe for animal consumption.
• Final approval
  After review and testing, MOCCAE issues the registration certificate. This certificate gives your company the legal right to import, distribute & sell the registered pet food throughout the UAE market without restrictions.

5. Documents Required for Pet Food Registration

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
  The CoA verifies the product’s composition and confirms it has been tested for safety, nutritional values & quality. This ensures a product meets UAE veterinary and food standards.
• Ingredients list with nutritional values
  A detailed list of all ingredients, along with their exact nutritional breakdown, is important. Authorities use this to confirm that a product meets the UAE safety rules and approved dietary guidelines.
• Veterinary health certificate from the country of origin
  This official document certifies that the pet food is safe, free from harmful contaminants & is produced under recognized veterinary and food safety practices in the country of manufacture.
• Product artwork and label in English and Arabic
  Complete label artwork must clearly display all product details, including name, ingredients, nutritional information & instructions both in English and Arabic, as required by UAE regulations.
• Free Sale Certificate or Manufacturing License
  This certificate proves that the pet food is freely sold in the country of origin and has been manufactured legally under that country’s regulations and food safety standards.
• GMP or Halal Certificate (if applicable)
  If relevant to any of the businesses, they must provide Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or Halal certification to demonstrate that the product follows recognized standards and meets local religious or quality requirements.
• Additional supporting documents
  Depending on the type of product, the authorities may request documents such as organic certifications, laboratory test reports or veterinary approvals to further validate compliance with UAE import and safety regulations.
  

6. Cost of Pet Food Registration in UAE

Costs vary based on the product type, the source country & lab testing requirements.

7. Labelling & Packaging Requirements

• Brand and product name are clearly stated
  The labels must clearly display the brand and product name so consumers can easily identify what they’re purchasing
• Ingredients with concentrations
  Every ingredient must be listed with its exact concentration, which ensures transparency for regulators and trust for pet owners
• Nutritional breakdown per serving and per 100g/ml
  Labels must include detailed nutritional values per serving and per 100g/ml to meet UAE safety standards
• Daily feeding instructions
  Clear feeding instructions should be there to help pet owners understand how much to feed & avoid underfeeding or overfeeding their animals
• Production and expiry date/shelf life
  Products must show production date and expiry date to ensure freshness and traceability for both consumers and regulators
• Batch number
  Each product label must carry a batch number to track production and to show accountability if any safety concerns arise
• Storage and handling instructions
  Proper storage directions to help maintain product quality and prevent any spoilage & ensure pet food remains safe until consumption
• Manufacturer name and address
  Labels must include the manufacturer’s full name and address to ensure the traceability of the product
• Country of origin
  The label must specify the exact country of manufacture to provide transparency and meet the UAE’s import regulations
• Barcode
  A scannable barcode must be printed for tracking & retail scanning, also to meet the modern distribution standards
• Safety warnings (if applicable)
  Products requiring caution must display safety warnings to protect pets and inform owners of specific risks
• Target species (dog, cat, bird, etc.)
  Labels must identify which species to prevent being fed and ensure the food is consumed by suitable pets.
• Arabic and English text mandatory
  All information must appear in both Arabic and English to meet UAE bilingual labelling requirements without exception.
  

8. Timeline for Registration

• Normal approval: 2- 4 weeks
  
• Possible delays: Delays happen when paperwork is incomplete, extra lab testing is required, or authorities request further clarification before approving.
  

9. FAQs on Pet Food Registration in UAE

Can I import pet food without registration?
No, unregistered products will be blocked at customs.

How long is the registration certificate valid?
Typically, 5 years, depending on regulatory updates.

Are pet treats and supplements included?
Yes, all consumable pet products require registration.

Do small test batches need approval?
Yes, even trial imports must be registered.

10. How Arnifi Can Help?

Arnifi makes Pet Food Registration in the UAE straightforward by covering every step of the process. We assist with company formation and trade licenses, manage MOCCAE registration and handle all required documents. This also includes translations and compliance checks. Our team also guides businesses through import permits, distributor agreements & labelling requirements, ensuring products align with UAE regulations. By streamlining these complex steps, Arnifi reduces delays, avoids costly errors & helps brands enter the market legally and faster. With our expertise, your pet food products can gain regulatory approval and build consumer trust across the UAE.

11. Conclusion

Pet Food Registration in the UAE is essential for legal entry, consumer trust & long-term growth. Completing registration ensures your products meet UAE veterinary standards, avoids fines or delays & unlocks access to a thriving market.

Book a free consultation with Arnifi today to simplify registration and expand your pet food business in the UAE.