A Turning Point for Middle East Packaging
Imagine you’re an importer in Dubai or Riyadh placing your next order of packaging. You receive your goods only to find that much of what you thought would pass inspection is rejected at customs because it violates newly enforced plastic bans or lacks proper labeling. Costs pile up. Delays mount. Brand reputation suffers.
This scenario is no longer hypothetical. Across the Gulf region, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, regulations around packaging and single-use plastics are tightening fast. More importers are now asking: “Where can I source packaging that is compliant, cost-effective, and delivered reliably?” Increasingly, the answer is India.
In this post, we explore:
- The new regulatory environment in Dubai and Saudi Arabia
- Why India offers cost, compliance, and proximity
- Logistics advantages from India → Middle East
- How Murth is ready to serve this demand
Regional Laws & New Regulations
Regulatory changes in Dubai and Saudi Arabia are creating both challenges and opportunities for packaging importers.
Dubai’s Single-Use + Single-Product Bans
- Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023 in Dubai (issued December 2023) has begun phasing out single-use plastic and non-plastic disposable items.
- From 1 January 2024, plastic bags were banned. Non-plastic single-use bags followed in June 2024.
- Starting 1 January 2025, items like plastic straws, stirrers, styrofoam food containers, table covers, cups, cotton swabs are banned.
- From 1 January 2026, the ban will extend further to items such as plastic plates, plastic food containers, plastic tableware, beverage cups and lids.
- Fines for non-compliance start around AED 200 (~USD 55), doubling for repeat offenses up to AED 2,000 (~USD 550) in some cases.
So for any packaging supplier serving Dubai, shipments must be compliant with these bans — not only in materials but in form, labeling, and import licensing.
Saudi Arabia: Growing Packaging & Labeling Regulation
- In Saudi Arabia, a recent regulation from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) (circa September 2025) introduced updated packaging and labeling rules for fresh fruits and vegetables. These require better transparency about origin, contents, handling, and sustainable packaging methods.
- Under Saudi standards (e.g. SASO and GSO technical regulations), packaging must meet food safety, labeling, and material requirements. For plastic packaging, certain biodegradable or sustainable alternatives are increasingly acceptable.
These evolving laws mean that importers and suppliers must ensure certified, documented compliance. Packaging that was acceptable a year ago may now be illegal or incur fines.
Why India Offers Cost + Compliance + Proximity
Given the regulatory pressures, more Middle East importers are evaluating where to source eco packaging. India stands out strongly. Here’s why:
A. Cost Advantages
- India has lower labour costs relative to many East Asian or Western producers.
- Feedstocks for biodegradable/bio-based packaging (agricultural byproducts like bagasse, rice husk, etc.) are abundant and comparatively cheaper in India.
- Manufacturing infrastructure is scaling, which means economies of scale can reduce per-unit costs.
Thus, packaging from India can deliver competitive landed cost even after factoring freight, compliance checks, and import duties.
B. Compliance & Certification Compatibility
- Indian manufacturers are increasingly obtaining global certifications (EN 13432, ASTM standards, FDA / food contact approvals), enabling shipments into regulated markets without last-minute compliance issues.
- With stricter rules in UAE (banning of certain single-use plastics) and Saudi packaging/labeling reforms, importers need suppliers who already adhere, not those scrambling to catch up.
C. Geographical Proximity and Trade Relations
- India is geographically closer compared to Europe or the Americas, meaning shorter transit times and lower sea freight costs.
- Existing trade routes, strong maritime connectivity, and free zone / bonded port infrastructure in places like Jebel Ali Free Zone (Dubai) support smooth import operations.
Together, cost + compliance + proximity make India an increasingly attractive sourcing hub for Middle East eco packaging.
Logistics Advantage — From India to the Middle East
Even with cost and compliance advantages, supply chain efficiency matters deeply. Delays, damage, or customs issues quickly erode value. Here are some of India’s logistics strengths relevant to Middle East importers:
1. Port Infrastructure & SEZs
- Ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Tuticorin, Mundra, etc. offer increasing capacity and modern handling, helping export packaging materials efficiently.
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones reduce documentation bottlenecks, duties, and regulatory friction.
2. Maritime Shipping Routes
- Frequent container shipments from India to key ports in UAE and Saudi Arabia (Dubai, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Jeddah) reduce lead times versus more distant suppliers.
- Indian exporters are already experienced in packaging goods for temperature/humidity variations typical of Gulf Sea routes.
3. Trade Agreements and Regulatory Alignment
- While the GCC-India Free Trade Agreement has been under negotiation, there are bilateral trade facilitation measures and regulatory alignment efforts which support smoother customs & lower barriers.
- Additionally, as UAE and Saudi Arabia push their localization & sustainability agendas, they favor importers who bring compliant, sustainable supplies (eco packaging) — reducing delays caused by non-complying documentation or materials.
4. Warehousing & Regional Partnerships
- Indian firms or logistic partners often partner with free zones (like the ones in Dubai, JAFZA etc.) to maintain regional warehouses or showrooms. This helps reduce import duty burdens, enables faster dispatch, and enhances trust with buyers wanting faster fulfilment.
Murth’s Advantage: Regional Partnerships & Readiness
Murth is strategically positioned to serve these emerging importer needs in the Middle East, with readiness across cost, compliance, and operational factors.
A. Compliance-First Manufacturing
- Murth maintains certification readiness (third-party test labs, relevant documentation, traceability) so that any shipment already includes everything needed for customs or regulation inspection.
B. Cost Efficiency Delivered
- Because Murth sources raw materials locally in India (agricultural residues, bio-based polymers), we avoid layers of import duties or long supply chains.
- Scale of production allows cost per unit to stay competitive. Even after freight to UAE or Saudi Arabia, landed cost undercuts many distant or non-compliant alternatives.
C. Speed & Reliability in Delivery
- Use of bonded warehousing and cooperation with trade-facilitating infrastructure in free zones to expedite customs clearance.
- Quality control built in: packaging is stored, coated, packed under conditions that survive the Gulf climate (humidity, heat) to avoid degradation in transit.
D. Tailored Solutions for Middle East Markets
- Custom labeling to meet Saudi Arabia’s new rules for fresh produce packaging (origin, handling, content) and similar transparency expectations.
- Ability to adapt packaging formats to suit local consumer preferences and regulatory safety requirements (e.g., thicker biodegradable bags, non-styrofoam alternatives, etc.).
- Flexibility in MOQ (minimum order quantities) and small regional warehouse support for importers wanting to test or scale gradually.
What Middle East Buyers Should Ask When Sourcing
To avoid pitfalls, here are key questions you as a buyer in UAE / Saudi Arabia should ask any supplier:
- Do you comply with Dubai Resolution 124 (2023) bans on single-use plastic & non-plastic disposables? Can you provide documentation?
- Do you have certifications accepted internationally & regionally (food contact safety, compostability, etc.)?
- What is your typical lead-time from India → Gulf ports? Are you familiar with customs & labeling requirements in Saudi Arabia’s MEWA rules?
- How do you protect against transit damage (heat, humidity)?
- Can you do trial shipments and/or maintain regional stocked inventory in free zones?
- What are your pricing terms including freight, tariffs, customs handling?
Why India + Murth = a Smarter Choice for Eco Packaging
The Middle East is entering a phase where sustainable packaging isn’t optional. It’s required. With single-use bans, labeling & food safety mandates, and growing consumer/environmental expectations, importers must partner with suppliers who are already compliant, transparent, and efficient.
India offers the right mix: raw-material abundance, growing manufacturing capacity, improving compliance, and geographic proximity. But not all suppliers are equal. That’s where Murth stands out:
- Certified, regulation-aligned materials
- Reliable logistics to Gulf ports
- Transparent documentation and QC protocols
- Ready solutions scaled for Middle East volumes
If you’re in Dubai or Saudi Arabia, and looking for a supplier who reduces risk, offers compliant packaging, and understands your market — let’s talk.
Contact Murth today and let us show you what truly compliant, cost-effective, and fast sustainable packaging from India to your warehouse looks like.
Sources
- “Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023 Regulating Single-Use Products in the Emirate of Dubai” – Dubai Government legislation.
- “Dubai bans plastic straws, expanded polystyrene foam food containers” – Sustainable Plastics, Jan 2025.
- “Biodegradable, paper and plant-based: Dubai clarifies details on June 1 bag ban” – The National (UAE), Mar 2024.
- “Saudi Arabia issues new packaging rules for fruits and vegetables: What suppliers and vendors must know” – Times of India, Sept 2025.
- “Import Regulation: Food & Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards – Saudi Arabia” – APEDA / SASO standard references.