SABER Certification Guide: What Saudi Importers Must Know

SABER is the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) online platform for product conformity. Before regulated products can be sold in Saudi Arabia, the importer must register them on SABER and obtain certificates proving they meet Saudi technical regulations.

There are two certificates: the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), issued once per product and valid for one year, and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC), issued per shipment. Both are required for customs clearance of regulated goods.

Most consumer products are regulated: electronics, toys, cosmetics, textiles, building materials, auto parts, food-contact items and more. Some low-risk products are classed as non-regulated and can be self-declared on SABER, but you should verify your exact HS code before assuming.

• Electronics and electrical appliances
• Toys and childcare products
• Cosmetics and personal care
• Textiles, clothing and footwear
• Building and construction materials
• Auto spare parts and lubricants

First, create a SABER account linked to your Saudi commercial registration. Then classify your product by HS code to see the applicable technical regulation. You will need test reports from an accredited laboratory — your supplier should provide these, and they must match the exact product and model you import.

Submit the test reports to a SASO-approved certification body, which reviews them and issues the PCoC. For each shipment you then request the SCoC on SABER, which customs verifies electronically when the goods arrive.

PCoC fees are typically a few hundred SAR per product plus certification-body review fees, and lab testing (if reports are missing) can range from a few hundred to several thousand SAR depending on the product. Allow 1–3 weeks when documents are ready, and much longer if new testing is needed.

The most common mistakes: test reports that do not match the shipped model, expired reports, wrong HS code classification, and requesting the SCoC after the shipment has already arrived. Start certification before your goods leave the factory.