What this division does
- Foodstuff and beverages, perfumes and cosmetics, and beauty and personal care equipment for wholesale and distribution buyers.
- Food commodities are quoted against the grading conventions of the trade rather than by brand description alone.
- Sugar is specified by ICUMSA value — the lower the number, the whiter and more refined the product, with ICUMSA 45 being fully refined white sugar fit for direct consumption.
- Rice is quoted by variety, broken percentage, crop year, moisture content and packing format, all of which move the price independently.
- Edible oils are specified by type and refining stage, such as crude palm oil or RBD, together with free fatty acid content and packing.
- Shelf life is agreed in writing before the order. Most importers and retail chains impose a minimum remaining shelf life on arrival — commonly two thirds or three quarters of total — and a cargo below that threshold can be rejected outright regardless of quality.
- Cosmetics and personal care products carry destination-specific registration and labelling requirements. For GCC markets these are identified at enquiry stage, including Arabic labelling, so they do not surface as a clearance problem at the border.
- Certificates of analysis, health certificates and halal certification are arranged where the destination requires them.
What we handle
- Ambient food commodities in bulk and retail packing formats
- Beverages in glass, PET and canned formats
- Perfumes, cosmetics and personal care products for distribution
- Salon and personal care equipment
- Certificates of analysis, health certificates and halal certification where required
How consumer goods are specified
These are the published industry standards we quote against. Enquiries that reference them are priced fastest.
| Category | What must be specified |
|---|---|
| Refined sugar | ICUMSA value (45, 100, 150), packing format and origin |
| Rice | Variety, broken percentage, crop year, moisture content and packing |
| Edible oils | Type, refining stage (CPO, RBD), free fatty acid content and packing format |
| Pulses & grains | Type, grade, purity percentage, moisture and origin |
| Shelf life | Total shelf life and minimum remaining shelf life required on arrival |
| Cosmetics | Product registration status and destination labelling requirements |
| Certification | Certificate of analysis, health certificate, halal certificate where the destination requires it |
3licensed activitiesunder this division
Consumer Goods — the questions buyers ask
What does ICUMSA 45 mean?
ICUMSA is a measure of sugar colour and therefore refinement — the lower the number, the whiter and more refined the sugar. ICUMSA 45 is fully refined white sugar suitable for direct consumption; higher values indicate progressively less refined product.
Why does remaining shelf life matter so much?
Most importers and retail chains impose a minimum remaining shelf life on arrival, commonly two-thirds or three-quarters of total shelf life. A cargo that arrives below that threshold can be rejected outright regardless of quality, so it is agreed in writing before the order.
Do cosmetics need registration before import?
In most GCC markets, yes — products require registration and compliant labelling, usually including Arabic. We identify the requirement at enquiry stage so it is resolved before shipment rather than at the border.
Enquiries for Consumer Goods
Send the specification, quantity and destination. We will come back with a written offer.