22/05/2026
Saudi SABER Certification | Must-Read for Foreign Trade Practitioners
1. What is SABER Certification
Launched officially by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) in 2019, SABER is an online product compliance and customs clearance management system. It is applied for product filing, review and issuance of Certificate of Conformity (COC), facilitating efficient customs clearance of imported goods in Saudi Arabia.
The system realizes data interconnection with Saudi Fasah Customs System, fully replacing the former SASO certification scheme.
Implemented in phases in accordance with Saudi Technical Regulations (TR), the transition period started in January 2019 and full migration was completed in February 2020. All regulated products exported to Saudi Arabia must complete registration and review on the SABER platform and obtain valid compliance certificates; otherwise, customs clearance and market circulation will be denied.
2. Product Scope under SABER Control
Classified by product safety risk level, goods exported to Saudi Arabia are divided into high, medium and low risk categories, with distinct certification procedures and review criteria for each tier.
Provide specific product information and HS code for accurate category confirmation.
3. Types of SABER Certificates
Self-declaration
Applicable to non-regulated products. Importers can independently apply for PC and SC certificates on the SABER platform without third-party assessment. Certificates will be issued after relevant fee payment.
COC Certificate of Conformity
Covers most regulated products entering Saudi Arabia, applied in two steps:
PCOC Certificate: Processing time around 5 working days; about 2 weeks for products requiring factory audit. Valid for 1 year. Factory inspection is mandatory for certain products.
SCOC Certificate: Applied separately for each shipment, processed within 2 working days and valid for 60 days.
IECEE Certification Mode
Obtain IECEE certificate first, then apply for SABER COC certificate based on it. Valid for 1 year or 3 years.
G-MARK Certification
Valid for seven GCC member states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen. Supplementary PCOC and SCOC certificates on SABER are still required for Saudi market access. General products hold 3-year validity, while toy GCC certificates are valid for 5 years.
SQM Certification
The strictest, costliest and most time-consuming certification within the SABER framework. On-site factory inspection by official Saudi inspectors is required. Final QM certificate is granted only after passing document verification and factory audit.
