Frequently Asked Questions

SABER is the Saudi electronic platform for product registration and conformity certification operated by SASO. Exporters and importers use SABER to register products, apply for PCoC and issue SCoC certificates before customs clearance. All products entering Saudi Arabia must be processed through SABER regardless of whether they are regulated or non-regulated.

SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) sets national standards and Technical Regulations. SABER is the platform through which compliance is processed. SASO creates the rules; SABER is where they are applied. When people refer to "SABER certification" they mean the process of achieving product conformity as required by SASO through the SABER system.

All products imported into Saudi Arabia must be processed through SABER. Regulated products — those covered by a Saudi Technical Regulation — require both a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Non-regulated products require SCoC only. The classification depends on the product HS code; submit your HS code to us for a definitive classification.

A Technical Regulation is a mandatory Saudi standard that specifies safety and performance requirements for a specific product category. Issued by SASO, Technical Regulations determine what testing, inspection and documentation is required for certification. Not all product categories have a corresponding Technical Regulation — the existence of one depends on the product and its HS code.

PCoC stands for Product Certificate of Conformity. It is a certificate issued per product model by a SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body, confirming that the product meets the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation. The PCoC is required for regulated products before a Shipment Certificate (SCoC) can be issued. It covers a specific product model and its variants, and is linked to the Saudi importer's SABER account.

A PCoC is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Renewal must be completed before the certificate expires to avoid disruption to shipments. Any changes to the product, model designation or manufacturer details require a new PCoC application — the existing certificate cannot be transferred or amended for a different product.

CE test reports may cover the same standard but need verification before submission. Some Saudi Technical Regulations reference IEC and ISO standards that are also used for CE marking, so existing accredited test reports may be accepted without retesting. However, not all CE test reports are suitable — the scope, accreditation and product description must be checked. We review your existing reports before any submission to confirm whether they are sufficient or whether supplementary testing is required.

PCoC applications are rejected for a range of reasons: missing or incomplete documents, gaps in test report scope, HS code mismatch between the product and the certificate, or discrepancies between the product description in different documents. We review all documents and test reports before submission to identify and resolve potential issues in advance. If a rejection does occur, we work to identify the specific reason and resubmit with corrected documentation.

SCoC stands for Shipment Certificate of Conformity. It is issued per consignment — meaning a new SCoC is required for every individual shipment sent to Saudi Arabia, even if the product already has a valid PCoC. The SCoC links the specific consignment (identified by commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading) to the applicable PCoC, confirming that the shipped goods match the certified product.

No. Saudi customs will not clear goods without a valid SCoC. Attempting to clear goods without an SCoC results in the shipment being placed on hold or returned. There is no waiver or grace period — the SCoC must be in place before the goods are dispatched. We strongly recommend starting the SCoC process at least two weeks before your intended shipment date.

SCoC processing typically takes 2–5 working days when all required documents are ready and complete. If pre-shipment inspection is required under the applicable conformity route, additional time must be factored in for the inspection to be scheduled and carried out. We advise starting the SCoC process at least 2 weeks before the planned shipment date to avoid delays.

Test reports must be issued by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory with an accreditation scope that covers the applicable Saudi standard. The test scope must be complete — reports with gaps, N/A entries or partial coverage are not accepted. IECEE CB scheme reports are widely accepted for electrical products, as the CB scheme covers many of the IEC standards referenced in Saudi Technical Regulations. We verify the suitability of existing test reports before submission.

Product name, HS code and manufacturer details are sufficient to begin the initial assessment. From this information we can identify the applicable Technical Regulation, the required conformity route and the full document checklist for your specific product. You do not need to gather all documents before contacting us — the assessment itself tells you exactly what is needed.

Yes, for most products entering Saudi Arabia. The Arabic label must include the product name in Arabic, manufacturer name and country of origin, applicable safety markings, and any required safety warnings in Arabic. Label requirements are specified in the applicable Technical Regulation and SASO labelling standards. We review draft Arabic labels as part of our service — label issues discovered at the customs stage cause costly delays and can result in the shipment being held.

Costs depend on the product, the applicable Technical Regulation, the conformity route selected and whether product testing or factory inspection is required. Products with existing accredited test reports cost significantly less than those requiring new testing. Contact us with your product name and HS code for a specific quotation — we do not provide indicative figures without reviewing the product first.

The timeline depends on several factors: availability of test reports, the applicable conformity route, product complexity and the workload of the relevant certification body. Products with complete and compliant documentation already in place can be processed significantly faster than those requiring new testing. We provide an estimated timeline after reviewing your specific product and documentation. For products requiring new testing, allow for laboratory turnaround time in addition to certification processing.

Contact us to discuss payment terms for your specific case. Terms vary depending on the scope of work, the product category and the services required. We are happy to discuss a structure that works for your situation.