What a Certificate of Conformity is
A Certificate of Conformity is a document issued by an approved third party confirming that goods meet the requirements of the destination market. It is not a test report and it is not a self-declaration — the point of it is that somebody independent has reviewed the evidence and accepted it.
For Saudi Arabia specifically, a CoC confirms that a regulated product complies with the applicable SASO Technical Regulation, and it is what allows the goods to clear customs.
The old SASO CoC and what replaced it
For many years Saudi Arabia operated a pre-shipment inspection model. An exporter arranged a SASO Certificate of Conformity in the country of export, often involving physical inspection before loading, and that single document travelled with the shipment.
That system has been superseded. Conformity is now handled electronically through SABER, and the single pre-shipment CoC has been replaced by two linked certificates. Exporters still working from old guidance — or old instructions from a freight forwarder — are the ones most likely to be caught out.
A Saudi CoC today means two documents
- A PCoC — Product Certificate of Conformity. Certifies the product model against its Technical Regulation. Typically valid one year and reusable across shipments.
- An SCoC — Shipment Certificate of Conformity. Raised for each individual consignment against that valid PCoC. This is the document customs actually checks.
When a Saudi buyer asks for “the CoC” for a container that is already on the water, they almost always mean the SCoC. When they ask for “the CoC” before placing an order, they usually mean the PCoC — evidence that the product is certifiable at all.
What a Saudi CoC must show
- The certificate number and the issuing conformity assessment body
- The product description and model, matching the invoice and the goods
- The applicable Technical Regulation and standards
- The manufacturer's name and country of origin
- The Saudi importer, identified by their Commercial Registration number
- Validity dates, and for an SCoC the shipment reference it belongs to
A mismatch between the certificate and the commercial documents is one of the most frequent causes of a hold at the border — a model number that differs by one character is enough. See documents required for the full submission list.
Who can issue a Certificate of Conformity
Only a conformity assessment body approved by SASO can issue a valid certificate on the SABER platform. A certificate from an unapproved body, however official it looks, will not clear Saudi customs.
This matters commercially: exporters are sometimes sold “Saudi CoC” services by intermediaries who are not working with an approved body. Before you pay, confirm the certificate will be raised on SABER by an approved CAB. Our approved certification bodies page explains how the approval works and how to verify it.
How to obtain one
- Confirm the regulation
Identify the HS code and the Technical Regulation that governs the product. This decides everything downstream.
- Assemble the evidence
Accredited test reports, technical datasheet, photographs, marking artwork and a Declaration of Conformity where relevant.
- Register on SABER
The Saudi importer registers the product against their Commercial Registration and SABER account. The exporter cannot do this step alone.
- PCoC issued
An approved body reviews the file and issues the product certificate, typically valid for one year.
- SCoC per shipment
For each consignment, the invoice and packing list are submitted against the PCoC and the shipment certificate is raised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a SASO CoC still valid for Saudi Arabia?
The old pre-shipment SASO Certificate of Conformity model has been replaced by the SABER system. Today conformity is demonstrated through a PCoC for the product model and an SCoC for each shipment, issued electronically on the SABER platform. If you have been asked for a legacy SASO CoC, check with the importer — in practice they need the SABER certificates.
What is the difference between a CoC and an SCoC?
CoC is the general term for a Certificate of Conformity. SCoC is the specific Saudi shipment certificate issued through SABER. When a Saudi importer asks for “the CoC” for a container in transit, they mean the SCoC.
Can I get a Certificate of Conformity without a Saudi importer?
No. The SABER platform requires a Saudi importer with a Commercial Registration number and a SABER account to register the product. The exporter supplies the technical evidence, but the registration itself sits with the importer. We coordinate between both parties so nothing stalls.
How long is a Saudi Certificate of Conformity valid?
A PCoC is typically valid for one year from issue, and can cover multiple shipments of the same product during that period. An SCoC applies to a single consignment only and is used once.
Do non-regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity?
Products outside the scope of a Technical Regulation generally still require a shipment certificate to clear customs, but on a lighter route without product certification. Whether your product is regulated is determined by its HS code and the applicable regulation — that is the first thing we confirm.
How much does a Certificate of Conformity for Saudi Arabia cost?
It depends mainly on whether the product is regulated, whether valid test reports already exist, and how many models are in scope. The SCoC element is a smaller per-shipment cost; the PCoC and any testing behind it is the main variable. See our SABER certificate cost guide, or send your details for a specific figure.