Identifies common practices to be aware of when selling in this market, e.g., whether all sales material need to be in the local language
Last Published: 11/20/2018

The GCC common market, which launched in 2008, grants mutual national treatment to all GCC firms, goods, and citizens. GCC labeling standards require that labels be printed in Arabic and English, although some items are sold in the market without Arabic labels. For packaged food products, the dates of manufacture and expiration must be printed on the label or elsewhere on the container. Production and expiration dates affixed with stick-on tape are not accepted. Many U.S. firms consider Omani/GCC shelf-life limits more restrictive than scientifically necessary. Imported meat should be Halal, as the majority of consumers are Muslim. Major slaughterhouses in the U.S. are able to offer Halal supervision. 

Potential exporters should be aware that all media imports are subject to review and possible censorship. For example, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture may reject or expunge morally or politically sensitive material from imported videos. The Ministry of Information may also delay or bar the entry of magazines and newspaper editions if it takes exception to a story on Oman or deems the content morally suspect.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.