What Is Shipment Inspection?
Shipment inspection — also referred to as pre-shipment inspection or pre-export verification — is a physical examination of the goods before they are loaded for export to Saudi Arabia. It is distinct from factory inspection, which is a product-level audit tied to the PCoC.
The inspection confirms that the shipment corresponds to the certified product, matches the commercial documents and is packed appropriately for the product type. Shipment inspection can be conducted at several locations depending on where the goods are held at the time of inspection:
- At the manufacturer's factory or production facility
- At the exporter's warehouse or consolidation point
- At the port of loading or freight forwarder's facility
The inspection report produced is submitted as part of the SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) application on the SABER platform.
When Is Shipment Inspection Required?
Not all shipments to Saudi Arabia require pre-shipment inspection. Whether it is required depends on the product category, the applicable Technical Regulation and the conformity route selected for the PCoC.
Shipment inspection is more likely to be required in the following situations:
- Conformity routes that specify pre-shipment verification as a condition of SCoC issuance
- High-risk product categories where the certification body or SASO requires physical verification per consignment
- First shipments from a new exporter or manufacturer for a particular product
- Products where Saudi customs has flagged previous non-conformities
Saudi customs may also request additional inspection of goods on arrival at the port of entry, independent of whether pre-shipment inspection was carried out.
What Is Verified During Shipment Inspection?
The inspector physically examines the consignment and compares it against the certified product specifications and accompanying documents. The following are typically verified:
- Product model matches the PCoC certificate — make, model number and relevant specifications
- Physical markings and labels on the product and packaging match what is stated in the documentation
- Quantity of units matches the commercial invoice and packing list
- Packing and protection are appropriate for the product type and destination
- Safety markings, Arabic language requirements and origin labelling are correct and visible
- No visible defects, damage or non-conformities in the goods inspected
- Serial numbers or batch codes are recorded for traceability
Documents Required for Shipment Inspection
The following documents must be available at the time of shipment inspection. Incomplete documentation will delay the inspection and the SCoC application:
- Commercial invoice — including unit prices, total value and HS code
- Packing list — with quantities, weights and packaging details per line item
- PCoC certificate number and a copy of the PCoC
- Product photographs showing markings, labels and packaging
- Draft bill of lading or booking confirmation
- Product specifications or technical datasheet matching the PCoC
We prepare a document checklist specific to your product and inspection body before the inspection date to ensure all required documents are in order.
How We Coordinate Shipment Inspection
We manage the inspection process from confirming the requirement through to obtaining the inspection report and submitting the SCoC application on SABER.
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Confirm inspection requirement for your product and route
We review the applicable conformity route and Technical Regulation to confirm whether pre-shipment inspection is required and which inspection body is designated.
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Identify inspection body and schedule
We identify the correct inspection body (determined by the certification body or SABER platform) and obtain the inspection schedule and lead times.
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Share inspection requirements with manufacturer or warehouse
We send the exporter or manufacturer a preparation checklist covering document requirements, product presentation, labelling and sample selection for the inspection.
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Coordinate inspection date and location
We confirm the inspection appointment with the inspection body and the exporter, aligning it with the shipment schedule to avoid delays to loading.
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Obtain inspection report
We follow up with the inspection body to obtain the formal inspection report promptly after the visit is completed.
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Submit with SCoC application on SABER
We submit the inspection report together with the commercial invoice, packing list and PCoC reference as part of the SCoC application on the SABER platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can shipment inspection take place?
Shipment inspection can take place at the manufacturer's factory, the exporter's warehouse, a freight forwarder's facility or at the port of loading. The location should be where the goods are accessible and ready for inspection — packed, labelled and available for the inspector to examine. We confirm the most suitable location based on your logistics arrangement.
How much notice is needed to arrange inspection?
Inspection bodies typically require three to five working days' notice for standard pre-shipment inspections. During peak periods or for shipments in locations with limited inspection coverage, longer lead times may be needed. We advise building in at least one week between requesting inspection and the planned loading date to avoid delays. Contact us as early as possible once your shipment is ready.
What if the inspection fails?
A failed inspection means the consignment has one or more non-conformities — typically a mismatch between the physical goods and the PCoC, incorrect labelling, or a document discrepancy. The exporter must resolve the non-conformity and arrange a re-inspection. We help identify the specific issue, advise on the fastest resolution and coordinate the re-inspection. Shipment should not proceed until the non-conformity is resolved and a passing inspection report is obtained.
Can one inspection cover multiple shipments?
Generally no. Pre-shipment inspection is tied to a specific consignment — a specific quantity, invoice and loading event. Each shipment requires its own inspection and its own SCoC. Some inspection bodies allow a single inspection to cover a single container or vessel load where all goods are the same product and PCoC, but this must be confirmed with the inspection body and certification body before assuming it applies.