Is a SABER Certificate Required for Tiles, Glass & Stone?
Yes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, building glass, marble, granite and natural stone products are treated as regulated construction materials on the SABER platform. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required before each shipment can obtain a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) and clear Saudi customs.
Conformity for these products is driven by performance and safety testing. Tiles are assessed for water absorption, strength and slip resistance; building glass for safety and strength; and stone for compressive strength and durability. The declared class and dimensions must match the tested product.
Applicable Technical Regulations
These products are certified through SABER registration under the construction-materials framework, and the SASO requirements that apply depend on the product type. The exact regulation and standards are confirmed at assessment from the product and HS code.
- Technical Regulation for Building Materials — the umbrella framework for tiles, glass and stone used in construction
- Ceramic tiles — assessed against ISO 13006 / EN 14411 (definitions, classification and characteristics)
- Building and safety glass — for example tempered glass (EN 12150) and laminated safety glass (EN 14449 / EN ISO 12543)
- Natural stone (marble, granite) — dimensional, strength and durability requirements per the applicable standard
- Marking, grading and packaging requirements for the product class and dimensions
Testing Requirements
- Ceramic tiles — water absorption, breaking strength / modulus of rupture, dimensions and surface quality, and slip resistance where required
- Building glass — fragmentation and impact for tempered glass; interlayer and impact performance for laminated glass
- Natural stone — compressive and flexural strength, water absorption and abrasion resistance
- Dimensional and tolerance verification
- Marking and grading verification
Existing test reports from an accredited laboratory may be accepted if they cover the exact product and are within validity. We assess existing reports before arranging new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
SABER Certificate Requirements for Ceramic, Glass & Stone
A typical application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item in more detail.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Product photographs showing markings and packaging
- Technical datasheet showing class, dimensions and performance data
- HS code
- Test reports from an accredited laboratory
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
How We Help
- Confirm classification and applicable regulation
We identify the product type, HS code and the exact performance standards that apply.
- Review existing test reports
We check whether your reports match the product and class and identify any gaps.
- Coordinate testing and marking review
We arrange any required testing and confirm class marking and packaging meet requirements.
- Obtain the PCoC and process each SCoC
We coordinate the product certificate and process the shipment certificate for each consignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ceramic tiles need a SABER certificate?
Yes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, building glass and natural stone used in construction are regulated. A PCoC must be registered and a per-shipment SCoC obtained before the goods can clear Saudi customs.
What is tested for ceramic tiles?
Typically water absorption (which defines the tile class), breaking strength, dimensions and surface quality, plus slip resistance for floor tiles. The declared class must match the accredited test report.
Is safety glass treated differently?
Yes. Tempered and laminated safety glass are assessed against safety-glass standards (fragmentation, impact and, for laminated glass, interlayer performance). The safety classification is verified as part of the certificate.
How much does SABER tile and stone certification cost and how long does it take?
Cost and timeline depend mainly on whether valid test reports already exist. When acceptable accredited reports are available, a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days; if fresh testing is needed, the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. See our SABER certificate cost guide, or send your product specification for a specific quote at no cost.
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 a single PCoC can cover multiple shipments of the same product during that period. An SCoC, however, is issued per consignment — every individual shipment needs its own Shipment Certificate before it can clear Saudi customs.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same SABER route applies across ceramic and porcelain tiles (HS headings 6907/6908), glass and glassware (HS chapter 70) and worked marble and stone (HS heading 6802). The precise HS code affects how the product is registered, so we confirm the correct classification and SASO requirements for your exact product during assessment.