Is a SABER Certificate Required for Plastic Products?
In most cases, yes. Plastic and polymer products are regulated on the SABER platform, and several categories fall under dedicated Technical Regulations. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) must be issued for the product before a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) can be obtained for each consignment and the goods cleared through Saudi customs.
Saudi Arabia enforces a distinctive rule that catches many exporters out: a wide range of single-use and short-life plastic products must be degradable (oxo-biodegradable) and carry the required degradable marking, backed by a valid accredited-laboratory report. Separately, plastics that contact food are subject to migration limits. Getting these two points right is the key to a smooth clearance.
Applicable Technical Regulations
Plastic products are certified through SABER registration, and the relevant regulation depends on the type and use of the product. The exact regulation and standard are confirmed at assessment from the product type and HS code.
- Technical Regulation for Degradable Plastic Products — mandating oxo-biodegradable behaviour and marking for many bags, films, disposables and short-life items
- Food-contact plastics — subject to overall and specific migration limits and material-safety requirements
- Plastic pipes and fittings — assessed under the applicable water / construction standards where relevant
- General plastic and polymer goods — assessed against the applicable product-safety standard for the specific item
- Restricted-substance and labelling requirements as applicable to the product
Testing Requirements
Testing depends on the product and its use. Typical requirements include:
- Oxo-biodegradability / degradability testing to the accepted standard for in-scope products
- Overall and specific migration testing for food-contact plastics
- Heavy-metal and restricted-substance content where applicable
- Mechanical and physical performance for the specific product (e.g. pipes, containers)
- Marking and labelling verification, including the degradable logo where required
Existing reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories may be accepted if they cover the correct product and standard and remain valid. We assess your reports first and arrange product testing only for what is genuinely missing.
SABER Certificate Requirements for Plastic & Polymer Products
The typical document set for a plastics SABER application is below; our full documents required guide explains each item in more detail.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Product technical datasheet, resin type and grade
- Degradability test report where the product is in scope
- Food-contact migration reports where relevant
- Product and packaging photographs showing required markings
- HS code and Saudi importer registration details
How We Help
- Confirm degradable scope
We determine whether your product falls under the degradable-plastic rule and what marking is required.
- Review existing test reports
We check whether your degradability, migration or safety reports are acceptable and identify only the missing tests.
- Coordinate required testing
We arrange any outstanding testing with an accepted laboratory for the specific product.
- Obtain the PCoC and process each SCoC
We secure the Product Certificate and process the Shipment Certificate for every consignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my plastic product really need to be oxo-biodegradable?
Many single-use and short-life plastic products (bags, films, disposable items and similar) are within scope of Saudi Arabia’s degradable-plastic regulation and must be oxo-biodegradable with the correct marking and a valid test report. We confirm at assessment whether your specific product is in scope.
What extra applies to food-contact plastics?
Food-contact plastics must additionally meet overall and specific migration limits and material-safety requirements, evidenced by accredited-laboratory migration testing. This is separate from the degradability rule and both can apply to the same product.
What is the difference between the product certificate and the shipment certificate?
The PCoC confirms the product meets the applicable regulation and is typically valid for one year. The SCoC is issued per consignment and is required for each individual shipment. Both are needed to clear customs.
How much does SABER certification for plastic products cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether the product is in scope of the degradable-plastic rule and whether valid reports exist. With acceptable degradability and, where relevant, migration reports in place, a PCoC can often be arranged quickly; if oxo-biodegradability or food-contact testing is needed, the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your product details and any reports and we will give you a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
Which plastic products and HS codes does this cover?
The framework covers a wide range of plastic and polymer goods — bags and films, disposables and tableware, containers and packaging, household plastic items and plastic pipes — largely under HS Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The precise HS code and use determine whether the degradable-plastic and food-contact rules apply, which we confirm during assessment.
What degradable-plastic marking does my product need?
Products within scope of the degradable-plastic regulation must be oxo-biodegradable and carry the required degradable logo/marking on the product and packaging, backed by a valid accredited-laboratory report. We confirm whether your product is in scope and exactly what marking is required before you ship, as this is the most common cause of plastic shipments being rejected.