Halal import certificates must show animal sex and importer name

Importers of halal products into Algeria must use certificates from the Grand Mosque of Paris (GMP) or its approved offices abroad, a note from Béjaïa port border inspection says.

TSA reported that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and National Market Regulation has reminded operators of this requirement four years after the exclusive right was granted. The ministry has also imposed a new provision on halal certificates for imported meat.

The note says the halal certificate must show the importer's name or company name in Algeria. It must also contain a special provision for meat imports.

The certificate must now state the type of animal and its sex.

Importers and their representatives are asked to check that certificates meet these requirements before files are sent to control services. The note says this will avoid delays in processing import files.

Importers of halal products and their authorised representatives are the people affected. TSA did not say from when the new certificate details apply.

The note has a list of approved offices attached to it, and these offices are in exporting countries.

The GMP, through its Islamic institute, has held the exclusive right to certify halal products imported into Algeria from France or any other country since December 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Wakfs granted the right, which took effect in June 2023, TSA reported.