The Saudi Arabia market for Indian surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings
Saudi SFDA requires a Medical Device Marketing Authorisation (MDMA) for devices; UAE MOHAP registers devices. The registration holder is local.
Indian community in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,750,551 (NRI 2,747,551 + PIO 3,000) — largest NRI population worldwide.
Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings specification for Saudi Arabia orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Absorbent cotton | Sinking time ≤ 10 s and absorbency ≥ 23 g/g per BP/IP absorbent cotton monograph (typical) |
| Gauze construction | 100% cotton, bleached; thread counts from ~17x13 to 24x20 per inch; 4-16 ply swabs (typical) |
| Sterilisation | Ethylene oxide or gamma; sterility assurance level 10^-6 for sterile items (typical) |
| Sizes | Swabs 5x5, 7.5x7.5, 10x10 cm; rolls 90 cm x 100 m; bandages 5-15 cm wide (typical) |
| Optional | X-ray detectable thread in swabs and laparotomy sponges (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Saudi Arabia requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Saudi Arabia
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | SFDA | Drug registration + GMP inspection; MDMA for devices |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings to Saudi Arabia
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Dammam: 6-10 days. Often via Jebel Ali transhipment; FASAH/SABER docs must be in place before arrival
Supply window: Indian surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings is mainly produced or harvested Cotton season Oct-Sep; new-crop yarn Dec-Mar (ASSUMPTION); Year-round. Allow 6-10 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Saudi Arabia customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~3-5 MT; volumetric cargo, 40' HC ~7-10 MT (bale-compressed cotton loads more).
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CFR, CIF, DAP; CIF Dammam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Saudi Arabia
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Inland; King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (east) / Jeddah Islamic Port (west); Riyadh Dry Port ra | government & mega-project contractors (construction materials, Indian/South Asian grocery chains, steel |
| Mecca | Inland (~80 km); Jeddah Islamic Port · King Abdulaziz International Jeddah (JED) | dates/food retail, pilgrim hotels & catering (rice, pulses |
| Khobar | King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (adjacent) · King Fahd International Dammam (DMM) | expatriate retail & HORECA, Aramco-contractor supply, Indian grocery |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings into Saudi Arabia?
Key requirements: Registration — SFDA (Drug registration + GMP inspection; MDMA for devices). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Saudi Arabia take?
Typically 6-10 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dammam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Saudi Arabia have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA. India–GCC FTA: terms of reference finalised, negotiations ongoing [S7]. Saudi applies GCC common external tariff (5% most goods) A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings from India?
Usually HS 300590. Saudi Arabia applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Is gauze a medical device?
In the EU, UK, US and most other markets, yes. The importer or manufacturer handles the device registration and technical file.
Sterile or non-sterile?
Both. Sterile items are EO- or gamma-sterilised in validated pouches; non-sterile bulk is used by hospitals that sterilise in-house.
Can swabs include an X-ray detectable thread?
Yes, for theatre swabs and laparotomy sponges.
Related guides
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings — product specifications
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings exporter from India
- India–Saudi Arabia trade guide
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings supplier in Riyadh
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings to South Africa
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings to Nigeria
- Surgical Cotton, Gauze & Wound Dressings to United Arab Emirates
Request a quote: surgical cotton, gauze & wound dressings to Saudi Arabia
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Saudi Arabia. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.