How to import Bangladeshi aromatic rice to Saudi Arabia
Bangladeshi aromatic rice — Chinigura, Kalijira and Kataribhog — is a favourite for polao, biryani and desserts across the Kingdom, and demand from Bangladeshi and South Asian communities keeps growing. This guide explains how an order works from Dhaka to Jeddah or Dammam. It is general guidance, not legal advice: always confirm the latest Saudi requirements with your customs broker.
1. Choose your variety
Chinigura has tiny, rounded grains with a sweet, buttery aroma — the classic rice for polao, kacchi and firni. Kalijira, sometimes called “baby basmati”, has very small grains that cook light and fluffy. Kataribhog from Dinajpur is fine, soft and fragrant.
Bangladeshi aromatic rice is a short-grain rice. It is not basmati, so describe it by its own name on your labels and price lists.
2. Check the export permit window
Bangladesh allows aromatic rice exports only under permits from the Ministry of Commerce. Permits are issued in rounds to approved exporters, each with a fixed quantity, a shipping deadline and a minimum export price (US$1.60 per kg in recent rounds). Permits cannot be transferred, and customs checks every shipment.
In practice this means you should confirm the current permit window and your quantity with your supplier before you open an L/C. We confirm the window, quantity and price with you before you commit.
3. Agree the specification and packing
Put these points in writing on the proforma invoice:
- Variety and crop year
- Moisture: 14% max
- Broken grains: 5% max, or as agreed
- Sortexed and cleaned, free from stones and foreign matter
- Packing: 1, 2 or 5 kg consumer packs, or 10, 25 or 50 kg PP or jute bags
- Your brand, with Arabic and English labels
- Approx. 22–25 MT per 20ft container
4. Saudi import requirements
Food imports into Saudi Arabia are regulated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The importer of record must be a Saudi company, and it handles registration and clearance on the SFDA systems. Many food shipments also need a certificate of conformity per shipment.
Labels for prepackaged food must be in Arabic, or include an Arabic translation, and follow the Gulf labelling standard GSO 9. Show at least the product name, net weight, country of origin, packer, and production and expiry dates or shelf life. Send us your approved artwork and we print it on the bags.
5. Export documents you receive
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh
- Fumigation certificate
- Halal certificate, on request
- Independent inspection report (SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek), if you appoint one
6. Shipping to Jeddah and Dammam
Rice ships by sea from Chattogram port, usually with a transhipment at a hub such as Colombo. Sea transit to Jeddah Islamic Port or King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam is approx. 18–25 days, depending on the carrier and schedule. Riyadh buyers can use the Riyadh dry port.
We quote FOB Chattogram or CFR Jeddah / Dammam. Payment terms are confirmed on our proforma invoice.