SAUDI ARABIA / PRODUCT & SHIPMENT CONFORMITY

SASO & SABER.
Move toward Saudi Arabia.

Coordinate product conformity and shipment certification through SABER to prepare regulated products for entry into Saudi Arabia.

Product assessment · Documentation · Coordination
An aerial view of cranes, containers and a cargo ship at a port
MARKET ACCESS
Saudi Arabia
SERVICE AT A GLANCESASO & SABERSaudi Arabia

YOUR MARKETSaudi Arabia

YOUR FOCUSMarket access

OUR APPROACHConnected compliance support

Packages and conveyor belts inside a distribution warehouse
FROM THE DETAILSTo the
possibilities.
CLARITY AT EVERY STEP
Built around your product.
Focused on your next market.

01 / THE BIG PICTURE

Understand the requirements.
See the opportunity.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the Middle East. To ensure product safety, quality, energy efficiency, and consumer protection, the Kingdom has established a comprehensive conformity assessment framework administered by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).

Before many regulated products can be imported, distributed, or sold in Saudi Arabia, they must comply with SASO requirements and complete the applicable registration and certification procedures through the SABER platform.

Read the full overview

At Complise Global, we assist manufacturers, exporters, importers, OEMs, brand owners, and multinational companies with SASO certification, SABER registration, shipment certification, and Saudi market access compliance.

Explore the requirements

02 / WHERE IT APPLIES

Different products.
A shared focus on compliance.

Start with your product’s intended use and category. Here are some of the applications covered in this service.

APPLICATION 01

Electrical & lighting

Electronics, household appliances, LED lamps and luminaires.

APPLICATION 02

Building & industrial products

Building materials, machinery and industrial equipment.

APPLICATION 03

Consumer goods

Toys, textiles and household goods covered by applicable Saudi regulations.

These are examples. The applicable route depends on your product specifications and target market.

03 / THE PATH FORWARD

From assessment
to your next market.

Move from the first assessment to a prepared submission with a structured, product-specific plan.

01

Classify the product

Determine the regulated category and applicable Saudi technical regulations.

02

Prepare the SABER record

Organize product registration and supporting technical documentation.

03

Coordinate product assessment

Support testing and the applicable product conformity certificate process.

04

Prepare the shipment

Gather invoices, packing information and other shipment records.

05

Support shipment certification

Coordinate the applicable SCoC process and documentation for customs clearance.

One connected workflow, with your product at the center.

Create your product brief

04 / EXPLORE THE DETAILS

Your requirements.
The details, made clear.

Open a topic for the full guidance, product requirements, documentation and practical considerations.

14 topics in this guide

CHAPTER 01What is SASO?The Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization is the national standards and conformity assessment authority responsible…

The Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization is the national standards and conformity assessment authority responsible for developing technical regulations, product standards, quality requirements, and consumer protection measures in Saudi Arabia.

SASO oversees:

  • Product Safety Requirements
  • Technical Regulations
  • Energy Efficiency Programs
  • Conformity Assessment Frameworks
  • Product Certification Systems
  • Market Surveillance Activities

Its objective is to ensure that products entering the Saudi market comply with applicable quality and safety requirements.

CHAPTER 02What is SABER?SABER is Saudi Arabia's online conformity assessment platform used for product registration, certification management, and…

SABER is Saudi Arabia's online conformity assessment platform used for product registration, certification management, and shipment approval.

The platform was introduced to modernize the certification process and improve regulatory oversight.

SABER enables businesses to:

  • Register Products
  • Obtain Product Certificates of Conformity
  • Obtain Shipment Certificates of Conformity
  • Manage Compliance Documentation
  • Track Product Registrations
  • Support Customs Clearance

For many regulated products, SABER registration is mandatory before importation into Saudi Arabia.

CHAPTER 03Why is SASO Compliance Important?Saudi Arabia maintains strict product compliance requirements to protect consumers and ensure product quality.

Saudi Arabia maintains strict product compliance requirements to protect consumers and ensure product quality.

SASO compliance helps businesses:

Access the Saudi Market

Legally import and distribute products.

Facilitate Customs Clearance

Avoid shipment delays and customs rejections.

Demonstrate Product Compliance

Meet applicable Saudi technical regulations.

Improve Buyer Confidence

Increase trust among distributors and customers.

Support Long-Term Market Expansion

Build a compliant foundation for business growth.

Minimize Regulatory Risk

Reduce exposure to enforcement actions and penalties.

CHAPTER 04Which Products Require SASO Certification?Many product categories are regulated under SASO technical regulations.

Many product categories are regulated under SASO technical regulations.

Common examples include:

Electrical & Electronic Products

  • Consumer Electronics
  • Home Appliances
  • IT Equipment
  • Audio & Video Products

Lighting Products

  • LED Lamps
  • Luminaires
  • Lighting Accessories

Building Materials

Toys

Automotive Products

Machinery

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Textile Products

Energy Efficiency Regulated Products

Household Goods

Industrial Equipment

Applicability depends on the specific Saudi technical regulation covering the product.

CHAPTER 05Understanding Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is one of the most important elements of the Saudi conformity assessment system.

The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is one of the most important elements of the Saudi conformity assessment system.

The PCoC demonstrates that a product complies with the applicable Saudi technical regulations and standards.

Purpose of PCoC

  • Product Compliance Verification
  • Regulatory Approval
  • Product Registration Support
  • Market Access Authorization

Validity

In many cases, a Product Certificate of Conformity is valid for one year, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.

CHAPTER 06Understanding Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)Once a product has obtained the required Product Certificate of Conformity, each shipment may require a Shipment Certificate of…

Once a product has obtained the required Product Certificate of Conformity, each shipment may require a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC).

The SCoC confirms that the specific shipment contains compliant products covered under valid registrations.

Purpose of SCoC

  • Customs Clearance
  • Shipment Authorization
  • Import Compliance Verification

Without a valid Shipment Certificate, customs clearance may be delayed or denied.

CHAPTER 07PCoC vs SCoCBoth certificates often work together within the SABER system.
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
Product-level approvalShipment-level approval
Demonstrates regulatory complianceVerifies shipment conformity
Usually valid for a defined periodIssued per shipment
Required before shipment certificationRequired for customs clearance

Both certificates often work together within the SABER system.

CHAPTER 08SASO Certification ProcessDetermine whether the product falls under a regulated category.

Step 1 – Product Classification

Determine whether the product falls under a regulated category.

Step 2 – Technical Regulation Identification

Identify applicable SASO technical regulations.

Step 3 – Product Registration

Register the product within the SABER platform.

Step 4 – Documentation Review

Prepare technical and compliance documentation.

Step 5 – Product Assessment

Testing and conformity assessment where required.

Step 6 – PCoC Issuance

Obtain Product Certificate of Conformity.

Step 7 – Shipment Registration

Register shipment information.

Step 8 – SCoC Issuance

Obtain Shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Step 9 – Customs Clearance

Import products into Saudi Arabia.

CHAPTER 09Documents Required for SASO CertificationTypical documentation may include:

Typical documentation may include:

Corporate Documents

  • Company Registration Details
  • Importer Information
  • Manufacturer Information

Product Documents

  • Product Specifications
  • Datasheets
  • User Manuals
  • Product Photographs

Technical Documents

  • Test Reports
  • Safety Reports
  • EMC Reports (where applicable)

Compliance Documents

  • Declaration of Conformity
  • Quality Certificates
  • Product Labels

Shipment Documents

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Shipping Documents

Requirements vary depending on the product category and technical regulation.

CHAPTER 10Saudi Energy Efficiency RequirementsCertain products are subject to additional energy efficiency requirements administered through SASO programs.

Certain products are subject to additional energy efficiency requirements administered through SASO programs.

Examples may include:

Air Conditioners

Refrigerators

Washing Machines

Lighting Products

Electrical Appliances

Additional testing and registration requirements may apply before market entry.

CHAPTER 11Risks of Non-ComplianceFailure to comply with SASO requirements may result in:

Failure to comply with SASO requirements may result in:

Customs Detention

Shipment delays at ports of entry.

Import Rejection

Refusal of product entry into Saudi Arabia.

Product Recall

Withdrawal of products from the market.

Financial Penalties

Regulatory fines and enforcement actions.

Sales Restrictions

Suspension of product distribution.

Reputational Damage

Loss of customer and distributor confidence.

CHAPTER 12Common Challenges Faced by ExportersMany businesses encounter difficulties because of:

Many businesses encounter difficulties because of:

Incorrect Product Classification

Incomplete Technical Documentation

SABER Registration Errors

Missing Test Reports

Delayed Shipment Certification

Changes in Saudi Technical Regulations

Customs Clearance Complications

Early planning significantly improves certification efficiency and shipment success.

CHAPTER 13How Complise Global Supports Your SASO Compliance JourneyOur services include:

Our services include:

SASO Applicability Assessment

SABER Registration

Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)

Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)

Product Classification Support

Technical Documentation Preparation

Testing Coordination

Energy Efficiency Compliance

Label Compliance Review

Customs Readiness Support

Ongoing Regulatory Compliance Management

CHAPTER 14Why Choose Complise Global?We help manufacturers, exporters, importers, OEMs, retailers, and global brands achieve successful entry into the Saudi Arabian…

Middle East Market Access Specialists

SASO & SABER Compliance Expertise

End-to-End Certification Management

Testing Coordination

Technical Documentation Support

Certification Project Management

Multi-Country Regulatory Experience

Long-Term Compliance Partnership

We help manufacturers, exporters, importers, OEMs, retailers, and global brands achieve successful entry into the Saudi Arabian market while minimizing compliance risks and regulatory delays.

Requirements vary by product, intended use and market. Confirm the applicable standards and current regulatory route before proceeding.

05 / A LITTLE MORE CLARITY

Your questions.
Our starting points.

Practical answers to common questions about SASO & SABER.

01Is SASO certification mandatory?

For many regulated product categories, compliance with SASO technical regulations and SABER registration is mandatory before importation and sale in Saudi Arabia.

02What is the SABER platform?

SABER is Saudi Arabia's online conformity assessment platform used for product registration and certification management.

03What is the difference between PCoC and SCoC?

PCoC is a product-level conformity certificate, while SCoC is a shipment-specific certificate required for customs clearance.

04Can products be imported without SABER registration?

For regulated products, failure to complete required SABER procedures may result in customs clearance issues or import rejection.

05How long is a Product Certificate of Conformity valid?

In many cases, PCoCs are valid for one year, subject to applicable regulations and certification conditions.

06Does every shipment require certification?

For many regulated products, a Shipment Certificate of Conformity is required for each shipment entering Saudi Arabia.

LET’S PLAN WHAT’S NEXT

Your product.
A world of potential.

Turn your product details and market ambitions into a clear starting point.

Create my product brief

Service marks and organization names identify the standards and regulatory topics discussed. They do not indicate certification of, affiliation with, or endorsement of Complise Global.