Overview
Tyres are safety-critical and, because Saudi Arabia has very high road temperatures, they are held to demanding heat- and speed-resistance requirements on top of the usual conformity rules. Tyres are also one of the product groups that require the SASO Quality Mark, and passenger tyres must carry a tyre efficiency label covering rolling resistance, wet grip and noise. On top of this, imported tyres must not be older than a set period from their date of manufacture.
Tyres fall under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the product, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. For tyres, the certificate additionally relies on Quality Mark registration, the efficiency label and evidence that the date-of-manufacture rule is met.
Product Types
The SABER route and tyre requirements apply across new pneumatic tyres, including:
- Passenger car tyres (PCR)
- Light-truck and 4x4 / SUV tyres
- Truck and bus tyres (TBR)
- Agricultural and off-the-road (OTR) tyres
- Industrial, forklift and construction-equipment tyres
- Motorcycle and scooter tyres
- Inner tubes and flaps (where applicable)
The scope of your certificate is defined from the tyre category, size range, load index and speed rating. We structure the certificate so the tyres you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Tyres are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the tyre category and vehicle type.
- 4011.10 — New pneumatic tyres for motor cars
- 4011.20 — New pneumatic tyres for buses and lorries
- 4011.40 — New pneumatic tyres for motorcycles
- 4011.70 / 4011.80 — Agricultural, forestry, construction and industrial tyres
- 4013 — Inner tubes of rubber
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Tyres are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform, together with Quality Mark and labelling registration. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and standards
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- SASO Quality Mark registration for the tyre range
- A tyre efficiency label (rolling resistance, wet grip and noise) for passenger tyres
- Test evidence for high-speed, endurance and heat resistance suited to Saudi road temperatures
- Correct sidewall marking — size, load index, speed symbol and date-of-manufacture (DOT/week-year) code
- Compliance with the maximum age from date of manufacture at the time of import
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Tyres are assessed under the applicable Saudi/Gulf Technical Regulation for tyres, which covers construction, performance, marking, the Quality Mark, the efficiency label and the age rule. Because ambient and road temperatures in Saudi Arabia are extreme, heat and high-speed performance are weighted heavily. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the tyre category and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Tyres are typically evaluated against the applicable UN/ECE and Gulf standards for their category. Typical verification includes:
- UN ECE R30 — passenger car tyres
- UN ECE R54 — commercial vehicle (truck and bus) tyres
- UN ECE R117 — rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise (efficiency label)
- High-speed and endurance testing suited to high ambient temperatures
- Load / speed capability, plunger strength and bead-unseating tests
- Dimensional and sidewall-marking verification
Existing UN/ECE type-approval and accredited tyre-test reports may be accepted where they cover the correct size range and are within validity. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical tyre application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the tyre
- Technical datasheet showing size range, load index, speed rating and construction
- Tyre test reports to the applicable UN/ECE standard
- Efficiency-label data (rolling resistance, wet grip, noise) for passenger tyres
- Sidewall photographs showing size, load/speed marking and date-of-manufacture code
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the tyre range against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the tyre category, HS code, size range, load/speed rating and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report, label and Quality Mark review
We check whether your test reports can be reused, prepare the efficiency label, and confirm the Quality Mark registration and marking are in order.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, sidewall markings 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 and date check
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC, the date-of-manufacture rule is 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 UN/ECE test reports already exist and whether the Quality Mark and label are in place. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing reports and marking — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — high-speed, endurance and label testing turnaround is the main driver, usually a few weeks depending on scope
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place and the age rule is met
Common Problems
- Tyres older than the permitted period from their date of manufacture — a frequent cause of refused shipments
- Missing SASO Quality Mark registration or efficiency label for passenger tyres
- Sidewall marking incomplete — missing load index, speed symbol or week-year code
- Test report covering a different size range than the tyres actually shipped
- No high-speed/heat-resistance evidence appropriate for Saudi conditions
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the tyre category actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially production dates, marking and the Quality Mark — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tyres need the SASO Quality Mark as well as SABER?
Yes. Tyres are one of the product groups that require the SASO Quality Mark in addition to the SABER conformity certificate. Passenger tyres must also carry a tyre efficiency label covering rolling resistance, wet grip and noise. We handle the Quality Mark registration, the label and the PCoC together so nothing is missing at the border.
Is there an age limit on imported tyres?
Yes. Imported tyres must not be older than a set period from their date of manufacture, which is read from the moulded week-year code on the sidewall. Tyres beyond that age can be refused at customs even if they are otherwise fully compliant, so we check production dates against the limit before shipment.
Why is heat and high-speed testing so important for Saudi Arabia?
Road and ambient temperatures in Saudi Arabia are extreme, which raises the risk of heat-related tyre failure. Because of this, high-speed and endurance performance are weighted heavily in the tyre regulation, and evidence suited to high temperatures is expected. We confirm your test reports cover this before starting the certificate.
How much does SABER certification for tyres cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid UN/ECE test reports and the Quality Mark and label are 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 tyre 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 tyres 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, and the date-of-manufacture rule is checked at that stage.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same SABER and Quality Mark route applies across passenger, light-truck, truck/bus, agricultural, industrial and motorcycle tyres — generally classified under HS heading 4011 (new pneumatic tyres) and 4013 (inner tubes). We confirm the correct classification and applicable requirements for your exact tyre during assessment.
Get Your Tyres Certified
Send us your tyre category, size range, load index, speed rating, HS code and any existing UN/ECE test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation, Quality Mark, efficiency-label and age-rule requirements, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.