SABER certificate: what it is and how to register your products
SABER is the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) electronic platform where every regulated product must be certified before it can clear Saudi customs. Two certificates are involved: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), valid for one year, and a per-shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Without them, cargo is stopped at the port.
Which products require SABER certification?
SASO regulates product categories through technical regulations: electronics and electrical appliances, toys, textiles, building materials, auto parts, cosmetics-adjacent goods and many consumer products. Unregulated products still need a self-declaration filed through the same platform.
The practical rule: check the HS code against SASO technical regulations before signing a purchase contract. Shipping first and certifying later is the most common and most expensive mistake importers make; uncertified regulated cargo waits at the port while storage fees accrue.
How does the SABER process work?
- 1. The importer registers on the SABER platform and enters product data by HS code.
- 2. An accredited certification body reviews test reports and issues the PCoC (product-level, valid 12 months).
- 3. For each shipment, an SCoC is requested and issued against the valid PCoC.
- 4. FASAH pulls the certificate status automatically during customs clearance.
Typical timeline: 3–10 working days for a PCoC when test reports are ready, and 1–2 days for each shipment SCoC. Costs depend on the certification body and product category; budget from a few hundred dollars per product family.
What happens if products arrive without SABER?
Customs will not release regulated cargo without a valid certificate. The importer then certifies retroactively while paying demurrage and storage, or re-exports the goods. Both outcomes cost more than certifying before shipment.
Sanad Global prepares SABER certification in parallel with production: while the factory manufactures the order, certificates are processed, so the shipment sails already compliant. The company also handles SFDA registration for food and medical products and SASO quality marks where required.
Questions importers ask about this
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Frequently asked questions
How long is a SABER certificate valid?
The product certificate (PCoC) is valid for 12 months and covers the product model. The shipment certificate (SCoC) is issued per consignment against a valid PCoC.
Can a foreign supplier register in SABER?
No. SABER registration is done by the Saudi importer of record. A customs broker or import agent like Sanad Global can run the process under the importer's account.
Do all goods need SABER?
Regulated products need certification; non-regulated products need a self-declaration through the same platform. Food, drugs and medical devices go through SFDA instead of, or in addition to, SABER.
What documents are needed for a PCoC?
Test reports from an accredited laboratory, product datasheets and photos, HS code, and supplier details. Missing test reports are the usual bottleneck.
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Leave your number. A licensed broker replies within 30 minutes during working hours (Sun–Thu, 9:00–18:00 KSA).