November 27, 2025

SASO/SABER Certification for Saudi Arabia

Saudi product conformity for regulated products is managed through the SABER platform under SASO requirements. The process mainly involves a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) for the product and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) for each shipment. Markek supports the process from classification and documentation to shipment readiness.

Quick Summary

People often use SASO Certification and SABER Certification interchangeably, but technically they mean different things. SASO is Saudi Arabia’s standards and technical-regulation authority, while SABER is the electronic platform used to manage product conformity. For regulated products, the actual conformity certificates are the PCoC, which confirms product conformity, and the SCoC, which applies to each shipment.

What Is SASO Certification, and How Does SABER Work?

Manufacturers and exporters often refer to Saudi product conformity as “SASO Certification” or “SABER Certification.” The terms are commonly used for the same compliance journey, but technically each has a different role.

SASO — Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization: the authority that develops Saudi technical regulations, standards, and product-conformity requirements.
SABER: the electronic platform through which applicable products are registered and conformity processes are managed.
PCoC and SCoC: the actual conformity certificates used for regulated products through SABER.

The wider product-safety framework is SALEEM, which classifies products by risk and determines the technical regulations that apply.

For regulated products, the process generally works in two stages:

First comes the PCoC. The product is assessed against the applicable Saudi technical regulation. The application is submitted through the Saudi importer’s SABER account to an approved conformity assessment body
Then comes the SCoC. A separate shipment certificate is requested for each consignment using the product and invoice information

The Saudi importer operates the SABER account. Foreign manufacturers and exporters provide the technical documentation, test evidence, product information, and other conformity documents required for assessment.

PCoC vs SCoC — What’s the Difference?

CRITERIA	PCoC	SCoC
Full name	Product Certificate of Conformity	Shipment Certificate of Conformity
Covers	The product	A shipment/consignment
How often	Obtained, then renewed annually	Every shipment
Validity	Typically up to 1 year	One consignment
Based on	Conformity assessment of the product	A valid PCoC + the commercial invoice
Purpose	Confirms conformity	Supports customs clearance
Issued in	A few working days	Same or next working day

SASO describes the product conformity certificate as evidence that a product meets applicable technical requirements, while the shipment certificate is issued for commercial consignments through SABER.

Simply put, the PCoC is about the product, and the SCoC is about the shipment.

Regulatory Framework

Who Needs SASO/SABER Certification?

Product Category

2 Product Category

3 Product Category

Who Needs SASO/SABER Certification?

Foreign manufacturers exporting regulated products to Saudi Arabia
Exporters and trading companies supplying the Kingdom
Saudi importers and distributors
Local manufacturers placing applicable products on the Saudi market

Foreign exporter? Your Saudi importer manages the SABER account, while you provide the product conformity documents. Markek coordinates the technical side of the process with the importer so certification and shipment documentation stay aligned.

Which Products Need SASO/SABER Certification?

Which Products Need SASO/SABER Certification?

Many consumer and industrial products imported into Saudi Arabia are managed through SABER. The exact route depends on the product classification and applicable technical regulation

Product Category	Typical SABER Route	May Also Require
Electrical & electronic products	PCoC + SCoC	Energy efficiency, G-Mark, or any other product-specific approval
Home appliances	PCoC + SCoC	Energy efficiency requirements
Toys	PCoC + SCoC	G-Mark and safety testing
Automotive parts, tyres, batteries	PCoC + SCoC	Product-specific SASO requirements
Building & construction materials	PCoC + SCoC	Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) for some categories
Textiles & apparel	PCoC + SCoC	Labeling and chemical requirements
Machinery & industrial equipment	PCoC + SCoC	Applicable technical regulations

Another authority may control products outside the standard SABER conformity route. For example, ICT equipment can require separate CST equipment approval, while product categories governed by SFDA follow their relevant SFDA procedures. CST confirms that ICT equipment is assessed against its technical specifications before manufacture or import where applicable.

Final applicability should always be checked against the exact product specifications and HS classification.

The Three Main Outputs on SABER

PCoC — Product Certificate of Conformity
For: Regulated products
Purpose: Confirms product conformity
Validity: Typically up to 1 year
SCoC — Shipment Certificate of Conformity
For: Each shipment
Purpose: Shipment and customs documentation
Validity: One consignment
Self-Declaration Certificate
For: Non-regulated products
Purpose: Supplier declaration of conformity
Validity: 1 year

SASO states that its self-declaration service applies to products not subject to technical regulations and does not require third-party conformity assessment.

The SABER Process

The SABER Process — PCoC First, Then SCoC

Stage 1 — Product Certification

01 — Classification

Confirm the 12-digit HS code and product status, and identify the applicable SASO technical regulation and standards.

02 — Testing

Review available test reports and identify whether additional testing is required. Existing international reports such as IEC/CB may support conformity where the applicable regulation and assessment route allow them.

03 — Technical file & PCoC

Prepare the technical documentation and submit the application through the Saudi importer’s SABER account to the appropriate conformity assessment body. SASO’s process includes selecting a conformity assessment body, application review, and a certification decision.

Stage 2 — Shipment Certification

04 — Apply for the SCoC

Create the shipment request using the relevant product certification, invoice, and shipment information.

05 — Shipment clearance

Complete the shipment-certificate process before customs clearance. SASO specifically advises suppliers to prepare conformity or self-declaration documentation through SABER before shipping.

06 — Renewal

Track the product certificate’s expiration date and renew it before future shipments are affected.

Documents Required:

For the PCoC:

Applicable product test reports
Product photographs
Label and marking artwork
Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
Technical datasheet or specification
Manufacturer details
Additional technical-file documents required by the applicable regulation

SASO confirms that product-certificate applications require technical-file contents based on the technical regulation and product type.

For each SCoC:

Commercial invoice and shipment information
Products covered by the shipment
Valid product conformity details where applicable
Country of shipment and other required consignment data

SASO’s shipment-certificate workflow requires product selection, invoice details, quantities, values, and shipment-country information.

The final document list depends on the product and regulation, so Markek will confirm these details during classification.

Validity & Typical Timeline

Stage	Typical Time
Classification	1–2 working days
Testing	Depends on product and existing reports
PCoC	Depends on document readiness and assessment
SCoC	Same or next working day (after shipment information is available)

For reference, SASO currently lists an estimated 8 working days for its product conformity certificate registration service and 3 working days for its imported commercial-product shipment certificate service. Depending on product category, test-report availability, conformity-assessment requirements, and completeness of the technical file, actual project timelines may vary.

Renewal: A product certificate that is no longer valid can affect future shipment certification, so renewal should be planned around upcoming shipments rather than left until the last moment.

What SABER Users Should Know in 2026

Saudi requirements continue to evolve, so exporters should avoid relying on old HS-code lists or previous shipment practices.

Shipment certificates now cover regulated and non-regulated products
SASO states that regulated products require product conformity certification followed by shipment certification, while non-regulated products use self-declaration followed by the shipment process.
Use the current 12-digit customs classification
Saudi Arabia introduced the integrated GCC customs tariff at the 12-digit level from 1 January 2025. Product classification should therefore be checked against the current tariff rather than older codes.
Check requirements before shipping
SASO advises suppliers and customs agents to determine product status, coordinate conformity assessment where required, and prepare SABER documentation before dispatch.

Last reviewed: August 2026

What Determines SASO/SABER Certification Cost?

There is no single SABER certification price for every product. The overall cost can vary based on:

Product category and risk level
Number of models or product families
Testing requirements
Conformity assessment route
Factory audits where applicable
Number and frequency of shipments

Send us your product details and HS code for a route-specific quotation.

Common Mistakes That Delay Certification

Wrong product classification — starting with an incorrect HS code may lead to the wrong certification route
Shipping too early — complete the required SABER documentation before the shipment reaches Saudi customs
Incomplete technical files — missing test reports, labels, or product information can delay assessment
Expired product certification — track renewal dates against upcoming shipments.
Using the wrong authority — not every product follows the same Saudi compliance route
Missing additional approval — products with ICT or wireless functions may also require CST assessment depending on their technical features

How Markek Supports Your SASO/SABER Certification?

Markek International Certifications supports manufacturers, exporters, and importers through the Saudi product conformity process.

Classification & Route Mapping – We review your product details and HS code to identify the applicable technical regulation and certification route before unnecessary testing begins
Testing Coordination – We coordinate with appropriately accredited laboratories and review existing reports to determine whether additional testing is required
Technical File & PCoC Coordination – We prepare and review the conformity documentation and coordinate the PCoC process through the appropriate approved conformity assessment route
Shipment Certification Support – Once the product certification is in place, we coordinate SCoC documentation with the Saudi importer for upcoming shipments

Markek’s source material identifies the organization as operating under the ISO/IEC 17065 product certification and ISO/IEC 17020 inspection frameworks, with experience across multiple international markets.

The objective is simple: identify the correct route early, prepare the file correctly, and keep product certification aligned with your shipping schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Is SASO Certification the Same as SABER Certification?
They are often used interchangeably, but technically they are not the same. SASO is the authority that develops Saudi standards and technical regulations, while SABER is the electronic platform used to manage product conformity. For regulated products, the actual conformity certificates are the PCoC and SCoC.
What is SABER certification?
SABER Certification is a commonly used term for the Saudi product conformity process that is managed through the SABER platform. For regulated products, the process generally involves a PCoC for the product and an SCoC for each shipment.
What is the difference between PCoC and SCoC?
The PCoC relates to product conformity, while the SCoC relates to an individual shipment. Regulated products generally complete product certification before shipment certification.
Can I get an SCoC without product certification?
For a regulated product requiring a PCoC, the applicable product conformity process must be completed before its shipment certificate can be finalized. Non-regulated products follow the self-declaration route instead.
Who manages the SABER account?
The Saudi-side supplier or importer manages the SABER account, while the foreign manufacturer or exporter provides the technical and conformity documentation required for the product.
What is the validity period for a PCoC?
Validity depends on the applicable product and certification route. Where a certificate is time-limited, renewal should be planned before upcoming shipments.
Do non-regulated products need SABER documentation?
Yes. SASO states that non-regulated products use a self-declaration process and then complete the applicable shipment-certificate procedure.
Can I use existing test reports?
Possibly. Existing reports may support the assessment where their standards, product coverage, and laboratory credentials meet the applicable Saudi requirements.
Does a wireless product need CST approval as well?
ICT equipment may require separate CST approval depending on the product and applicable CST technical specifications. This should be checked during classification rather than assumed based on the presence of a wireless feature alone.