Overview
Cement is a safety-critical structural material, and Saudi Arabia treats it accordingly. It is one of the products that require the SASO Quality Mark, which means conformity is not just a document exercise — the cement type must be verified against its standard through type testing and ongoing factory control. Two things dominate the assessment: the compressive-strength class (for example 42.5 or 52.5) and, because much of the Kingdom's soil and groundwater is high in sulfates, whether the cement is sulfate-resisting where that is required.
Cement falls under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the cement type, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. For cement, the certificate additionally relies on Quality Mark registration and the supporting strength and chemical test evidence.
Product Types
The SABER route and Quality Mark requirements apply across cement types, including:
- Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC — CEM I)
- Portland blended cements (CEM II — with limestone, fly ash or slag)
- Sulfate-Resisting Cement (SRC) for aggressive soils and groundwater
- Blast-furnace and pozzolanic cements (CEM III / CEM IV)
- White cement
- Oil-well and special-purpose cements
- Masonry cement
The scope of your certificate is defined from the cement type, strength class and packaging (bagged or bulk). We structure the certificate so the cement you actually export is covered.
HS Codes
Cement is commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the cement type.
- 2523.21 — White Portland cement
- 2523.29 — Other Portland cement
- 2523.10 — Cement clinkers
- 2523.30 — Aluminous cement
- 2523.90 — Other hydraulic cements
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Cement is certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform, together with SASO Quality Mark registration. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and cement standard
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- SASO Quality Mark registration for the cement type (mandatory product)
- Compressive-strength results confirming the declared class (e.g. 42.5N, 52.5N)
- Setting time, soundness and fineness results
- Chemical composition and, for SRC, the sulfate-resistance / C3A limits
- Type testing plus evidence of factory production control
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Cement is assessed under the applicable Saudi/Gulf Technical Regulation for cement, which covers composition, strength classes, physical properties and the Quality Mark. Because cement is a Quality Mark product, the route usually combines type testing with factory production control rather than a single test report. Where the cement is used in foundations and structures exposed to sulfate-bearing ground, sulfate resistance is weighted heavily. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the cement type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Cement is typically evaluated against the applicable GSO / EN / ASTM cement standards for its type. Typical verification includes:
- GSO / EN 197-1 — composition, specification and conformity of common cements
- ASTM C150 / C595 — Portland and blended hydraulic cements (where used)
- Compressive strength at 2, 7 and 28 days (EN 196-1)
- Setting time and soundness (EN 196-3)
- Chemical analysis, including sulfate (SO₃) and C3A limits for SRC (EN 196-2)
- Fineness and, where relevant, heat of hydration
Existing accredited cement test reports and factory-control records may be accepted where they cover the correct type and class. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical cement application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the cement
- Technical datasheet showing cement type, strength class and composition
- Cement test reports (strength, setting time, soundness, chemical analysis)
- Sulfate-resistance / C3A data for SRC
- Factory production control records for the Quality Mark
- Bag / packaging marking artwork showing type and strength class
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the cement type against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the cement type, strength class, HS code and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report and Quality Mark review
We check whether your test reports and factory-control records can be reused, confirm the strength class and (where relevant) sulfate resistance, and set up the Quality Mark registration.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, marking and test evidence against the regulation, including the factory-control requirement.
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PCoC issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform. It is typically valid for one year.
SCoC Process
A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment and is what customs checks at the border. In outline:
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Shipment details submitted
The invoice, packing list and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
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Verification
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC, the cement type and marking are confirmed, and the SCoC fee is settled on the platform.
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SCoC issued
The SCoC is issued for that shipment, allowing it to clear Saudi customs. Each new shipment needs its own SCoC.
Certification Timeline
The main variable is whether valid cement test reports and factory-control records already exist and whether the Quality Mark is in place. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing reports and Quality Mark in place — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh type testing is required — the 28-day compressive strength test is the main driver, so allow several weeks
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- Ordinary Portland cement shipped where sulfate-resisting cement was specified
- Missing SASO Quality Mark registration (cement is a mandatory Quality Mark product)
- Compressive-strength results not matching the declared class
- No factory production control evidence to support the Quality Mark
- Bag marking not showing the correct cement type and strength class
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the cement type actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially the cement type, sulfate resistance and the Quality Mark — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cement need the SASO Quality Mark as well as SABER?
Yes. Cement is one of the mandatory SASO Quality Mark products, so in addition to the SABER PCoC and SCoC it must be registered for the Quality Mark. Unlike a simple document check, the Quality Mark route normally combines type testing with factory production control. We handle the Quality Mark registration and the PCoC together so nothing is missing at the border.
Why is sulfate-resisting cement so important in Saudi Arabia?
Large parts of Saudi Arabia have soil and groundwater that are high in sulfates, which chemically attack ordinary Portland cement and weaken foundations and structures over time. Where a project or specification calls for sulfate-resisting cement (SRC), ordinary OPC will not meet the requirement. We confirm the correct cement type and its chemical limits (such as C3A) before the certificate is issued.
What does the strength class (42.5, 52.5) mean?
The strength class is the standard compressive strength the cement must reach at 28 days, measured in megapascals — so a 52.5 cement is stronger than a 42.5. The letter (N or R) indicates normal or rapid early strength. The declared class must be backed by strength test results to EN 196-1, which is one of the core pieces of evidence for the certificate.
How much does SABER certification for cement cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid cement test reports and the Quality Mark and factory-control records are already in place. With acceptable evidence a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh type testing is required the 28-day strength test drives the timeline. Send your cement details and reports for a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
How long is the PCoC valid, and do I need a new SCoC for every shipment?
A Product Certificate of Conformity is typically valid for one year, so one PCoC can cover multiple shipments of the same cement during that period. A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment — every individual shipment needs its own SCoC before it can clear Saudi customs.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same SABER and Quality Mark route applies across Portland, blended, sulfate-resisting, white and special cements — generally classified under HS heading 2523. We confirm the correct classification and applicable requirements for your exact cement during assessment.
Get Your Cement Certified
Send us your cement type, strength class, composition, HS code and any existing test reports and factory-control records. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation, Quality Mark and sulfate-resistance requirements, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.