Is a SABER Certificate Required for Power Banks & Lithium-Ion Batteries?
Yes. Power banks and lithium-ion battery packs are regulated as consumer electronics with an added transport-safety dimension, registered on the SABER platform under the low-voltage electrical Technical Regulation. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required before a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) can be obtained for each consignment.
Certification for this category centres on three things: cell and pack safety (short-circuit, overcharge and thermal-abuse behaviour), transport classification for the lithium content, and accurate declared capacity — a common compliance failure is a marked mAh rating that does not match the actual measured capacity.
Applicable Technical Regulations & Standards
The relevant standard is confirmed at assessment from the exact product type, cell chemistry and HS code.
- IEC 62133-2 — safety requirements for portable lithium-ion cells and battery packs
- UN 38.3 — transport testing for lithium cells and batteries (altitude, thermal, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact, overcharge)
- Low-voltage electrical Technical Regulation for the charging circuit, output ports and adapter, where supplied with the power bank
- Declared-capacity verification — measured mAh / Wh against the marked rating
- Arabic-language labelling and safety warnings on the product and packaging
Testing & Verification Requirements
- IEC 62133-2 safety testing — external short circuit, overcharge, forced discharge, crush and thermal abuse at cell and pack level
- UN 38.3 transport test report for the lithium cells used (often available from the cell manufacturer)
- Capacity verification — actual discharge testing against the declared mAh / Wh rating
- Electrical safety testing of the charging circuit, USB output and any included cable/adapter
- Marking and labelling review — capacity, voltage, warnings and manufacturer information
A UN 38.3 report from the cell manufacturer and an IEC 62133-2 report at pack level, together with independent capacity verification, form the core of the evidence. We review what you already have and arrange only the additional product testing that is actually needed.
SABER Certificate Requirements for Power Banks & Lithium-Ion Batteries
The typical document set is below; our full documents required guide explains each item in more detail.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- UN 38.3 test summary for the lithium cells
- IEC 62133-2 test report at battery-pack level
- Capacity verification report (measured vs. declared mAh / Wh)
- Product datasheet and photographs showing marking and labelling
- HS code and Saudi importer registration details
How We Help
- Confirm the product and cell chemistry
We identify the exact power-bank or battery-pack configuration and confirm which standards apply.
- Review your existing test reports
We check UN 38.3 and IEC 62133-2 documentation from your cell and pack suppliers for completeness.
- Arrange capacity and any missing testing
We coordinate independent capacity verification and any additional safety testing needed.
- Obtain the PCoC and process each SCoC
We secure the Product Certificate and process the Shipment Certificate for every consignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a power bank certified the same way as a regular battery?
No. Power banks and lithium-ion battery packs need additional lithium-specific safety testing (IEC 62133-2) and transport testing (UN 38.3) on top of the standard low-voltage electrical requirements applied to our batteries page.
Why does declared capacity matter so much?
Saudi customs and market-surveillance checks commonly test power banks against their marked mAh rating. If the measured capacity is significantly lower than declared, the shipment can be held or rejected, so we recommend verifying capacity before certification, not after a shipment is queried.
Can I use the cell manufacturer's UN 38.3 report?
Yes, provided it matches the exact cell type and configuration used in your finished product. We review the report against your bill of materials to confirm it applies.
How much does SABER certification for power banks cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether UN 38.3 and IEC 62133-2 reports already exist and whether capacity verification is needed. Send your cell/pack datasheets and any existing test 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 a single PCoC can cover multiple shipments of the same model during that period. An SCoC is issued per consignment — every individual shipment needs its own Shipment Certificate before it can clear Saudi customs.
Which HS codes does this cover?
Power banks and lithium-ion battery packs generally fall under HS heading 8507 (electric accumulators). The precise code and applicable requirement are confirmed during assessment based on the product configuration.