Livestock Identification Rules in the GCC: KSA, UAE, Oman, Qatar
Livestock tagging and registration across the GCC: camel chips and Naama in Saudi Arabia, TAMM in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman's camel programme and Qatar.
Livestock identification rules differ across the GCC. In Saudi Arabia, camel microchipping is mandatory and livestock tagging can be requested on the Naama platform. In Abu Dhabi, tagging sheep, goats, cattle and camels is mandatory and registration through TAMM is free. Oman runs a camel numbering programme and Qatar an electronic livestock possession-certificate system. For Kuwait, we found no published official information.
This guide summarises what we found in official and press sources up to October 2026, with links. Rules get updated, so treat it as a starting point and always confirm on your country's official portal before you sell, move or buy animals.
Quick comparison
| Country | What is identified? | Authority or platform | Key published points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Camels (mandatory); tagging request for livestock | Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Naama | Chip in the left side of the camel's neck, 15-digit number, penalties for unchipped camels |
| UAE: Abu Dhabi | Sheep, goats, cattle, camels (mandatory) | Registration via TAMM | Free registration; selling, buying or moving untagged animals prohibited |
| UAE: Dubai | Farm animals | Dubai Municipality | Free microchipping pilot for about 400,000 animals from 2018 |
| Oman | Camels | Omani camel numbering programme | More than 55,000 camels registered by end of 2022 |
| Qatar | Livestock possession data | Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the Ministry of Municipality | Electronic system to update the possession certificate |
| Kuwait | Unclear | The government authority for livestock | No published official information found |
Saudi Arabia: camel chips and Naama
Camels. Under a Council of Ministers decision, camel identification is mandatory, using a rice-grain-sized chip implanted under the skin on the left side of the neck with a 15-digit number. MEWA announced that owners who do not comply face a fine per head and lose access to veterinary services, camel markets, festivals, herder recruitment and support programmes, and that more than 1.4 million camels had been chipped by 1442 AH. The Camel Passport links the chip to breed, sex, colour, photos, vaccinations and ownership. Details in our camel microchip guide for Saudi Arabia.
Sheep and cattle. The livestock tagging request service is available on Naama, with Nafath login, a breeder record, the number of head and the location. We could not confirm a general requirement to tag all sheep and goats, so check your situation on the platform. General steps in livestock tagging request on Naama.
Sale by weight. Since 1 Muharram 1447 AH, slaughter livestock in pens and markets is sold by weight on approved scales; see selling livestock by weight in Saudi Arabia.
UAE: Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Abu Dhabi. Under Regulation No. 4 of 2010, identification is mandatory for sheep, goats, cattle and camels, and registration through TAMM is free. According to Gulf News, selling, buying or transporting untagged animals is prohibited, and violations can lead to fines or jail.
Dubai. Gulf News reported a free microchipping pilot for about 400,000 farm animals starting in 2018. Check the current status with Dubai Municipality. For the wider sector, read livestock farming in the UAE.
Oman: camel numbering programme
According to the Oman Observer, more than 55,000 camels were registered in the Omani camel numbering programme by the end of 2022. The programme aims to know camel numbers and owners and to improve animal health care. For registration and conditions, contact the ministry responsible for livestock in the Sultanate. For the wider picture, see livestock farming in Oman.
Qatar: electronic livestock possession certificate
As reported by the Qatar Tribune, Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Municipality launched an electronic system that lets breeders update their livestock possession certificate data without paper visits. For details, check the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or the Ministry of Municipality.
Kuwait and Bahrain
Kuwait. We found no published official information on a livestock identification or registration system. If you farm in Kuwait, ask the government authority responsible for livestock directly what is required.
Bahrain. Not covered by our research; check with the competent authority. For a general overview, read livestock in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
What this means for breeders anywhere in the Gulf
Whatever the system, the principle is the same: one permanent number per animal, linked to its owner and history. A well-prepared breeder:
- Numbers animals with a clear internal system (number and colour) and keeps to it.
- Links the official number (ear tag or chip) to each animal's file.
- Keeps vaccination and treatment records, which many official services ask for.
- Records every sale, purchase and movement so ownership stays clear.
In Throf, every sheep, goat or camel has a file with its number, tag colour, breed, sex, birth date, weight, mother and father, plus vaccinations, treatments, weights and sales. The app reads compatible RFID tags and chips through a Bluetooth reader and receives weights automatically from a smart scale.
Get started
Register your herd in Throf on the free plan, or subscribe and pay online for larger herds (coupon THROF15 for 15% off). For electronic tags, readers and scales, request a quote for tags or a scale on WhatsApp.
FAQ
Is livestock identification mandatory in the GCC?
It depends on the country. Camel microchipping is mandatory in Saudi Arabia, and in Abu Dhabi identification is mandatory for sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Check your country's official portal.
How do I register livestock in Abu Dhabi?
Registration is done through the TAMM platform and, as published, is free. Selling, buying or moving untagged animals is prohibited.
Does Kuwait have a livestock identification system?
We found no published official information. Ask Kuwait's government authority responsible for livestock directly.
Can I store the official tag or chip number in an app?
Yes. In Throf the tag or chip number is stored in the animal's file and can be read with a compatible Bluetooth RFID reader instead of typing it.
General guidance only — it does not replace your veterinarian or the competent authority in your country.
