SABER / SASO Certification

SASO and SABER certification are essential compliance requirements for exporters supplying products to Saudi Arabia. These certifications confirm that products meet Saudi technical regulations, safety standards, and quality requirements before shipment.

A properly managed SASO–SABER process helps exporters complete product registration, obtain shipment approvals, reduce customs clearance delays, and minimize rejection risks. Ensuring compliance through SASO and SABER enables faster market entry, smoother trade operations, and reliable acceptance of goods across Saudi ports and retail markets.

SASO and SABER certification are required to prevent trade disruptions and commercial losses when exporting to Saudi Arabia. Without proper conformity approval, shipments face high regulatory risk at Saudi ports. Compliance ensures predictable clearance, protects importer reputation, and avoids enforcement actions by Saudi authorities that can impact future business operations.

Product certificates are issued by conformity assessment bodies approved by SASO for the technical regulation that covers your product. Several international inspection and certification companies with offices in India are approved for common regulations, such as low-voltage equipment, toys, building products and machinery. The current list for each regulation is on the SABER platform, and the Saudi importer can choose a body or the exporter can work through one. See our guide to getting a SABER certificate and the PCoC and SCoC process.

SASO and SABER certification are essential compliance requirements for exporters supplying products to Saudi Arabia. These certifications confirm that products meet Saudi technical regulations, safety standards, and quality requirements before shipment. A properly managed SASO–SABER process helps exporters complete product registration, obtain shipment approvals, reduce customs clearance delays, and minimize rejection risks. Ensuring compliance through SASO and SABER enables faster market entry, smoother trade operations, and reliable acceptance of goods across Saudi ports and retail markets.

SASO and SABER certification are required to prevent trade disruptions and commercial losses when exporting to Saudi Arabia. Without proper conformity approval, shipments face high regulatory risk at Saudi ports. Compliance ensures predictable clearance, protects importer reputation, and avoids enforcement actions by Saudi authorities that can impact future business operations.

• Shipment rejection and return at port of entry
• Heavy fines and financial penalties
• Confiscation or destruction of non-compliant goods
• Temporary or permanent suspension of import privileges

Non-compliance with SABER certification requirements carries severe consequences:

• Shipment rejection and return at port of entry.
• Heavy fines and financial penalties.
• Confiscation or destruction of non-compliant goods.
• Temporary or permanent suspension of import privileges.

The strength of your saber certification application lies in the completeness and accuracy of your documentation. The SASO SABER system requires specific technical and legal files to ensure thorough compliance.

We manage the preparation and submission of the entire technical file, which typically includes:

I. Importer/Company Requirements (Legal & Administrative)

• Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) Copy: Required for the importer to register on the SABER platform.
• Importer Contact Details: Full information of the importing entity in KSA.
• Authorization Letter: If Instacertify acts as your authorized agent.

II. Product Technical File Requirements

This is the most critical area where most applicants face delays. Our team specializes in compiling and verifying these documents to meet specific saber certificate requirements:

• Technical Data Sheet (TDS): Detailed product specifications, model numbers, and performance data in English and Arabic.
• Test Reports: Valid reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. These must confirm compliance with the specific Saudi Standards (e.g., SASO IEC for electrical goods, specific STRs for chemical/mechanical products).
• Product Images: Clear, high-resolution photographs showing the product, packaging, and mandatory labeling (including Arabic warnings).
• Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity (DoC): A formal document where the manufacturer declares the product meets all applicable Saudi standards.
• Risk Assessment Reports: Required for certain high-risk categories.
• User Manuals/Installation Instructions: Must include Arabic translations.

III. Shipment Specific Requirements (For SCoC)

• Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Detailing the specific goods, quantities, and values of the consignment.
• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill: Proof of shipment.
• Certificate of Origin: Confirming the country where the product was manufactured.

By partnering with us, you ensure that every document submitted for your saber certification is meticulously checked, validated, and uploaded to the SASO SABER platform correctly the first time.

Navigating the SASO SABER platform can be confusing, especially regarding product classification and documentation. Instacertify simplifies this into a clear, managed process.

Phase 1: Importer/Manufacturer Registration

1. Importers Register on SABER: The Saudi Importer or your authorized representative must create an account on the SABER platform using their Saudi Commercial Registration (CR).
2. Product Classification: Using the 8-digit Harmonized System (HS) Code, each product is registered in the system. This step is crucial as it determines the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation (STR) and the required saber certificate requirements.
3. CAB Selection: The importer, with our guidance, selects Instacertify’s partner (a SASO-Approved CAB) from the list on the SABER system for conformity assessment.

Phase 2: Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) Issuance

1. Documentation Submission: We collect and review all technical documents from you, including test reports, product specifications, and declarations. We ensure these documents meet the strict saber certificate requirements of the relevant STR.
2. Product Testing (If Required): If current test reports are missing or non-compliant, we coordinate with ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories to conduct the necessary tests.
3. CAB Review and Approval: Our chosen CAB reviews the technical file and test reports. Once satisfied, they approve the application electronically on the SASO SABER platform.
4. PCoC Issuance: The PCoC is issued, valid for one year. This completes your product-level saber certification.

Phase 3: Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) Issuance

1. SCoC Request: For every shipment, the importer initiates a request for an SCoC on the SABER platform, linking it to the valid PCoC.
2. Verification: The CAB (managed by Instacertify) verifies the details of the specific consignment against the approved PCoC.
3. SCoC Issuance & Clearance: Upon successful verification and payment of the SCoC fee, the SCoC is issued electronically. This is the final document required for the shipment to be cleared by Saudi Customs upon arrival.

The duration of the saber certification process is largely dependent on the readiness of your technical file and whether product testing is required.

Total Estimated Timeline for Initial SABER Certification:

• With Existing, Compliant Test Reports: 1 to 2 weeks.
• Requiring New Lab Testing: 4 to 6 weeks (dominated by lab time).

• Electrical & Electronic Products
  (Household appliances, low voltage electrical devices, chargers, adapters, IT & AV equipment)
  🔹 Low voltage electrical devices also require G-Mark certification
• Toys & Children’s Products
  (Toys, children’s care articles, children’s electrical items)
  🔹 Mandatory G-Mark certification in addition to SABER
• Textiles, Apparel & Footwear
  (Clothing, underwear, carpets, fabrics, bags, headwear, textile furnishings)
• Construction & Building Materials
  (Cables, lighting products, switches, sockets, insulation materials, sanitary ware)
• Automotive Parts & Accessories
  (Tyres, batteries, electrical components, spare parts)
• Furniture & Household Goods
  (Home furniture, coverings, general consumer goods)
• Gas Appliances & Pressure Equipment
• Consumer Products & General Merchandise
  (As applicable under SASO technical regulations; some products may fall under other authorities)

The total cost for your saber certification is composed of three main factors: System Fees, CAB Fees, and Testing Fees.

Instacertify provides a comprehensive, transparent quotation upfront, covering all necessary CAB and testing expenses, so you know the exact total cost of your saber certification project.

In the Saudi regulatory landscape, compliance is a continuous cycle rather than a one-time event. Managing these timelines effectively is the difference between a smooth supply chain and costly port delays.

Certification Life Cycles

• Product Certificate (PCoC): Valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance. This certificate covers the product model and allows for unlimited shipments during its term.
• Shipment Certificate (SCoC): Valid only for one specific consignment. It must be utilized before the goods arrive at the port.

The Renewal Protocol

• Proactive Renewal: The renewal process should be initiated 30 days prior to expiry within the Saber portal to ensure there is no "dark period" where shipments cannot be processed.
• Re-Verification: For renewal, the Certification Body (CB) will re-evaluate your technical file. If standards have been updated (e.g., new SASO or GSO versions), you may need to provide updated test reports.
• Cost Efficiency: Renewal fees typically mirror the initial registration costs, but as your expert partner, we streamline the data migration to minimize administrative time.