Overview
A charger or power adapter is certified with a dual angle — electrical safety and energy efficiency, which is what makes it different from a purely safety-driven product. As an external power supply it converts mains AC to a low DC voltage, so the certificate has to show it is safe against electric shock and fire under IEC 62368-1, does not waste energy (its no-load power draw and average active-mode efficiency meet the external-power-supply limits), and does not cause electromagnetic interference. Because chargers are used in vast numbers by ordinary consumers across the Kingdom, both the safety and the efficiency sides are examined.
Chargers and power adapters 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 chargers, the certificate relies heavily on the IEC 62368-1 safety report, the external-power-supply efficiency evidence and the EMC report.
Product Types
The SABER route and external-power-supply requirements apply across chargers and adapters, including:
- Mobile phone chargers and USB power adapters
- USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) fast chargers
- Laptop and notebook power adapters
- AC-DC plug-in adapters for appliances and electronics
- Battery chargers (tool, camera and consumer batteries)
- Wireless (inductive) chargers and charging pads
- Multi-port charging stations and desktop chargers
- Car chargers and 12 V DC-DC adapters
The scope of your certificate is defined from the product type, output voltage / power, connector and construction. We structure the certificate so the products you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Chargers and power adapters are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the product type.
- 8504.40 — Static converters (AC-DC adapters, chargers, power supplies)
- 8504.40.30 — Battery chargers (national subheadings where used)
- 8504.31 / 8504.32 — Small electrical transformers (linear adapters)
- 8543.70 — Wireless / inductive charging apparatus (where classified as electrical machines)
- 8544.42 — Charging cables fitted with connectors
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Chargers and power adapters are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation for low-voltage / electronic equipment
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Electrical-safety evidence to IEC 62368-1 (or IEC 60335 for appliance chargers)
- External-power-supply energy-efficiency evidence — no-load power and average active-mode efficiency
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) evidence
- A plug compatible with the Saudi Type G / BS 1363 system where the charger plugs directly into the mains
- A durable rating label showing input / output ratings, model and manufacturer
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Chargers and power adapters are assessed under the Saudi Technical Regulation for low-voltage / electronic equipment, alongside the energy-efficiency requirements for external power supplies. The regulation is built around protection against electric shock and fire, the energy consumed in no-load and active modes, and electromagnetic compatibility. The exact regulation and standard is confirmed at assessment from the product type, output power and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Chargers and power adapters are typically evaluated against the safety, efficiency and EMC standards. Typical testing includes:
- IEC 62368-1 — safety of audio / video, information and communication technology equipment
- IEC 60335-2-29 — safety of battery chargers (appliance chargers)
- IEC 61558-2-16 — safety of switch-mode power supply units
- External-power-supply efficiency — no-load power and average active-mode efficiency
- CISPR 32 / IEC 61000 series — electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
- Input / output rating, temperature-rise and abnormal-operation checks
Existing test evidence may be accepted where it covers the correct product, ratings and requirements. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical charger application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the product
- Technical datasheet showing input / output ratings and output power
- IEC 62368-1 (or IEC 60335) safety test report
- External-power-supply efficiency test evidence (no-load / active mode)
- EMC test report
- Rating-label photograph showing ratings, model and manufacturer
- Declaration of Conformity and manufacturer details
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the product range against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the product type, output ratings, HS code and applicable safety, efficiency and EMC requirements, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Test review
We check whether your IEC 62368-1 safety, efficiency and EMC evidence can be reused and confirm the rating label matches the reports.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, label and 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 ratings 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 safety, efficiency and EMC evidence already exists. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing IEC 62368-1, efficiency and EMC reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — safety, efficiency and EMC turnaround is the main driver, usually one to a few weeks
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- Safe charger that fails on no-load power or active-mode efficiency
- Safety report to an outdated standard rather than IEC 62368-1
- Missing EMC evidence for a switch-mode charger
- Direct-plug charger with a non–Type G / BS 1363 plug for the Saudi market
- Rating label output not matching the tested sample
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the product shipped
We check these points up front — especially the efficiency evidence alongside the safety and EMC reports — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chargers need energy-efficiency approval as well as safety?
Yes. As external power supplies, chargers and adapters are covered by energy-efficiency requirements as well as electrical safety. They have to meet limits on how much power they draw with nothing connected (no-load power) and on their average active-mode efficiency. A charger that is electrically safe can still fail SABER if its efficiency evidence is missing or below the limit — so both sides need to be covered.
Which safety standard applies to phone and laptop chargers?
Most modern chargers and adapters for phones, laptops and electronics are assessed to IEC 62368-1, the safety standard for audio/video and IT equipment that replaced the older IEC 60950/60065. Appliance battery chargers may instead fall under IEC 60335-2-29. We confirm the correct standard for your specific product during assessment.
Is EMC testing required for chargers?
Yes. Switch-mode chargers can generate electromagnetic interference, so electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) evidence — typically to CISPR 32 and the IEC 61000 series — is part of the requirement. A charger submitted with safety evidence but no EMC report is a common gap we flag before submission.
How much does SABER certification for chargers cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid safety, efficiency and EMC evidence is 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 product 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 products 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 phone chargers, USB adapters, laptop adapters, battery chargers and wireless chargers — generally classified under HS heading 8504.40 for static converters (with small linear adapters under 8504.31/32 and wireless chargers sometimes under 8543.70). We confirm the correct classification and applicable requirements for your exact product during assessment.
Get Your Chargers & Adapters Certified
Send us your product type, input / output ratings, output power, connector, HS code and any existing IEC 62368-1 safety, efficiency and EMC reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation and standards, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.