Overview
Fasteners are structurally critical — a bolt or anchor that does not meet its stated grade can cause a joint or structure to fail. Because of this, Saudi conformity for fasteners is driven by mechanical properties and correct marking rather than electrical or energy rules. The key evidence is that each fastener actually delivers the tensile strength, proof load and hardness of the class stamped on its head, and that coated fasteners resist corrosion in the humid, coastal and high-temperature conditions found across the Kingdom.
Fasteners fall under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the product range, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. For fasteners, the certificate relies heavily on mechanical test reports, the property-class marking and — for construction fasteners — the applicable building and structural requirements.
Product Types
The SABER route and fastener requirements apply across threaded and driven fasteners, including:
- Hex bolts, set screws and structural bolts (property classes 8.8, 10.9, 12.9)
- Nuts and lock nuts (property classes 8, 10, 12)
- Machine screws, self-tapping and self-drilling screws
- Wood screws, chipboard and drywall screws
- Washers — plain, spring and structural
- Anchor bolts, expansion anchors and chemical anchors
- Threaded rod, studs and U-bolts
- Stainless-steel fasteners (A2 / A4) and coated carbon-steel fasteners
The scope of your certificate is defined from the fastener type, material, property class and size range. We structure the certificate so the fasteners you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Fasteners are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the fastener type and material.
- 7318.15 — Other screws and bolts, with or without nuts or washers
- 7318.16 — Nuts
- 7318.11 / 7318.12 / 7318.14 — Coach screws, wood screws and self-tapping screws
- 7318.21 / 7318.22 — Spring and other washers
- 7318.19 / 7318.23 / 7318.24 — Rivets, cotters, cotter-pins and other non-threaded articles
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Fasteners are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and fastener standards
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Mechanical test evidence — tensile strength, proof load, hardness and (where relevant) impact — for the declared property class
- Correct property-class marking on the head of bolts and the face of nuts (e.g. 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 / 8, 10, 12)
- Manufacturer identification mark on structural and high-strength fasteners
- Coating / corrosion-resistance evidence (salt-spray) for zinc, hot-dip galvanised or otherwise plated fasteners
- Material grade and, for stainless fasteners, the A2 / A4 grade and strength class
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Fasteners are assessed under the applicable Saudi/Gulf Technical Regulation and standards for their type and material. The regulation is built around mechanical performance, dimensions and marking, and — for fasteners used in construction — it links to the building and structural requirements. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the fastener type, property class and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Fasteners are typically evaluated against the applicable ISO / Gulf mechanical-property standards for their type. Typical verification includes:
- ISO 898-1 — mechanical properties of bolts, screws and studs (tensile, proof load, hardness)
- ISO 898-2 — mechanical properties of nuts (proof load, hardness)
- ISO 3506 — mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless fasteners (A2 / A4)
- ISO 4014 / 4017 / 4032 and related dimensional standards
- ISO 9227 — salt-spray (neutral salt-spray) corrosion testing for coatings
- Coating thickness, adhesion and, where relevant, hydrogen embrittlement checks on high-strength fasteners
Existing accredited mechanical and salt-spray test reports may be accepted where they cover the correct grade, size range and coating. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical fastener application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the fastener
- Technical datasheet showing type, material, property class, size range and coating
- Mechanical test reports to ISO 898 (or ISO 3506 for stainless)
- Salt-spray / coating test report for plated or galvanised fasteners
- Mill / material certificate (e.g. EN 10204 3.1) for the steel used
- Photographs of head marking showing property class and manufacturer mark
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the fastener range against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the fastener type, material, property class, size range, HS code and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report and marking review
We check whether your mechanical and salt-spray reports can be reused and confirm the property-class marking and manufacturer mark are correct and consistent with the grade.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, marking and mechanical test evidence against the regulation.
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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 declared grade 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 ISO 898 (and salt-spray) test reports already exist and whether the marking is correct. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing reports and correct marking — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — mechanical and salt-spray turnaround is the main driver, usually a few weeks depending on scope
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- Head marking missing or not matching the declared property class (e.g. stamped 8.8 but sold as 10.9)
- Mechanical test report covering a different grade or size range than the fasteners shipped
- No salt-spray / coating evidence for zinc-plated or galvanised fasteners
- Missing manufacturer identification mark on structural and high-strength bolts
- Stainless fasteners quoted without the correct A2 / A4 grade and strength class
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the fastener type actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially marking, grade and coating evidence — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the property class marking (8.8, 10.9, 12.9) mean and why does it matter?
The property class marked on a bolt head defines its mechanical strength — the first number relates to tensile strength and the second to the yield-to-tensile ratio, so a 10.9 bolt is stronger than an 8.8. For Saudi certification the marking must match the mechanical test evidence to ISO 898. A bolt marked to a higher class than it can prove is a safety risk and a common reason certificates and shipments are rejected, so we confirm the marking and reports agree before submission.
Do coated or galvanised fasteners need corrosion testing?
Yes. Where fasteners are zinc-plated, hot-dip galvanised or otherwise coated, a salt-spray (neutral salt-spray, ISO 9227) test report is normally expected to show the coating resists corrosion — which matters in the Kingdom's humid coastal and high-temperature conditions. Coating thickness and, for high-strength grades, hydrogen-embrittlement checks may also apply. We confirm what your fasteners need before starting.
Are stainless-steel fasteners certified the same way?
They follow the same SABER route but against a different standard. Stainless fasteners are assessed to ISO 3506, using the corrosion-resistant grade (A2 / A4) and strength class (e.g. 70, 80) rather than the carbon-steel property classes. Because stainless is naturally corrosion-resistant, salt-spray testing is usually less of an issue, but the grade and strength class must still be marked and supported by test evidence.
How much does SABER certification for fasteners cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid ISO 898 (or ISO 3506) mechanical reports and any salt-spray reports are already in place. With acceptable reports a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh testing is required the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your fastener 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 fasteners 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 route applies across bolts, nuts, screws, washers, anchors and threaded rod — generally classified under HS heading 7318 (screws, bolts, nuts and similar articles of iron or steel). We confirm the correct classification and applicable requirements for your exact fastener during assessment.
Get Your Fasteners Certified
Send us your fastener type, material, property class, size range, coating, HS code and any existing ISO 898 or salt-spray test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation, marking and coating requirements, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.