SABER SCoC Certificate — Shipment Certificate of Conformity

What Is an SCoC?

An SCoC — Shipment Certificate of Conformity — is a per-shipment certificate issued through the SABER platform that is required for every individual consignment of goods entering Saudi Arabia. Unlike the PCoC, which certifies a product model and covers multiple shipments over a 12-month period, the SCoC is specific to a single consignment. It confirms that the goods in that particular shipment correspond to the certified product and meet the applicable conformity requirements.

For regulated products, an SCoC is only issued when a valid PCoC is already registered in SABER. The SCoC references the PCoC and links the specific consignment — by invoice, packing list and other shipment identifiers — to the certified product model. Saudi customs authorities check for a valid SCoC at the point of entry, and shipments without one are not cleared.

For non-regulated products, an SCoC is still required for every shipment even though no PCoC exists. In this case, the SCoC is processed based on a declaration from the importer or manufacturer rather than a conformity assessment against a Technical Regulation.

The SCoC is therefore the final compliance step before each shipment departs — and it must be in place before the goods arrive at the Saudi port of entry.

SCoC vs PCoC — Key Differences

The two SABER certificates work together but serve distinct purposes. Understanding the difference prevents common planning mistakes:

• The PCoC covers a specific product model; the SCoC covers each individual shipment of that product
• The PCoC is issued once per model and remains valid for up to 12 months; the SCoC is issued per consignment and has no ongoing validity beyond that shipment
• The PCoC is based on product testing and technical documentation; the SCoC is based on shipment documents and may include a pre-shipment inspection
• The PCoC is required only for regulated products; the SCoC is required for all products — regulated and non-regulated — entering Saudi Arabia
• The PCoC is obtained before the first shipment and renewed annually; the SCoC must be obtained before every shipment regardless of how frequently you ship
• The PCoC can support an unlimited number of shipments during its validity; each SCoC covers only the specific consignment for which it was issued

For regulated products, both certificates are required and neither is sufficient on its own. The PCoC establishes product-level compliance; the SCoC confirms that the specific shipment matches the certified product and is therefore cleared for entry.

Who Needs an SCoC?

Every exporter shipping any goods to Saudi Arabia through the SABER system needs an SCoC for each consignment. There is no category of products — regulated or non-regulated — that is exempt from the per-shipment SCoC requirement under SABER.

The requirements differ by product type:

• Regulated products: Both a valid PCoC and an SCoC are required. The SCoC is linked to the active PCoC and must be obtained for every individual shipment, regardless of how recently the previous shipment was made.
• Non-regulated products: Only an SCoC is required. No PCoC is needed. The SCoC is based on the importer's declaration that the product conforms to applicable requirements, processed through SABER.
• Repeat shipments: Even if a product has been shipped to Saudi Arabia many times before, each new shipment requires a new SCoC. There is no carry-over from a previous SCoC to a new consignment.

Saudi importers are responsible for initiating the SCoC application on SABER, but they rely on the exporter to provide the shipment documentation promptly and accurately. Delays in providing documentation translate directly into delays in SCoC issuance and potentially delayed shipment departure or port clearance.

Documents Required for SCoC

SCoC applications require shipment-specific documents that confirm the contents, quantity and origin of the consignment. Standard documents required include:

• Commercial invoice (showing product description, quantity, unit price and total value)
• Packing list (showing carton count, gross and net weights, and product breakdown)
• Bill of lading or airway bill (issued by the freight carrier)
• Product photographs of the actual shipment (showing the goods as packed, including labels and markings)
• PCoC certificate number (for regulated products — must reference the currently active PCoC in SABER)
• Manufacturer confirmation that the shipment matches the certified product model (for regulated products)
• Saudi importer Commercial Registration (CR) number and SABER account details

For certain product categories, additional documentation may be required — such as a health certificate, a fumigation certificate, or specific labelling compliance declarations. We confirm the full document requirements for your product category and Saudi importer before the SCoC application is prepared.

The SCoC Process

1. Step 1 — Confirm PCoC Is Active (for Regulated Products)

   Before initiating an SCoC application for a regulated product, confirm that the product's PCoC is currently valid in SABER and has not expired. An SCoC cannot be issued for a regulated product without a valid PCoC in place. If the PCoC has expired or is approaching expiry, the renewal must be completed before the SCoC application proceeds.

2. Step 2 — Prepare Shipment Documentation

   The exporter prepares all required shipment documents — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and product photographs of the actual consignment as it will be shipped. Documents must be accurate and consistent with each other and with the certified product model. Discrepancies between the invoice description and the PCoC product details are a common cause of SCoC delays.

3. Step 3 — Submit SCoC Application on SABER

   The Saudi importer submits the SCoC application through their SABER account, uploading the shipment documents and referencing the active PCoC certificate number (for regulated products). We coordinate the submission, review the documents before upload, and ensure the application is complete and correctly linked to the PCoC to avoid processing delays.

4. Step 4 — Shipment Inspection (If Required)

   Depending on the product category and the requirements of the applicable Technical Regulation, a pre-shipment inspection may be required before the SCoC is issued. If an inspection is required, an inspector visits the factory or warehouse to verify that the shipment matches the certified product. We coordinate the inspection appointment and prepare the exporter for what to expect during the visit.

5. Step 5 — SCoC Issued

   Once the SABER review is complete and any inspection has been passed, the SCoC is issued and recorded in the SABER system. The certificate is linked to the specific shipment identifiers — invoice number, container or shipment reference — and the active PCoC where applicable. The SCoC is the final compliance document required before the shipment departs.

6. Step 6 — Share SCoC with Saudi Importer for Customs

   The issued SCoC is shared with the Saudi importer, who presents it at Saudi customs as part of the import clearance process. Saudi customs authorities verify the SCoC against the SABER system records. A valid, accurately linked SCoC ensures that the shipment clears customs without hold or delay. We confirm with both the exporter and importer that the certificate has been received and is ready before the vessel or aircraft departs.

Timing — When to Apply for an SCoC

The SCoC application should be initiated as early as possible — ideally before the shipment is loaded and certainly before the vessel or aircraft departs. The goal is to have the SCoC issued and in the Saudi importer's hands before the goods arrive at the Saudi port of entry.

When all documents are complete and accurate, the SCoC process typically takes 2 to 5 working days. However, this timeline can extend if:

• Documents are incomplete or inconsistent and require correction
• A pre-shipment inspection is required and must be scheduled
• The PCoC is expiring and must be renewed before the SCoC can proceed
• The certification body or inspection agency has a backlog

For exporters shipping on tight lead times or with fixed vessel bookings, building the SCoC application timeline into the shipping schedule from the outset is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions