Global Compliance
SABER Certificate in India: PCoC + SCoC Process, Cost & Timeline for Saudi Exports
A SABER certificate is required for products entering Saudi Arabia. SABER is the SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) online conformity platform. It has two parts: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), valid for one year per product, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC), issued per consignment. Indian exporters typically obtain a PCoC in 7–10 working days through a SASO-approved certification body when test reports are ready. This page explains what is regulated, the exact process, documents, fees in rupees and how Instacertify handles it end to end.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Infographic: PCoC vs SCoC on the SABER platform]
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What is a SABER certificate?
SABER (from the Arabic for "verify") is the electronic platform through which Saudi importers register products and request conformity certificates before customs clearance. It replaced the paper-based SASO CoC system. Every consignment of consumer goods into Saudi Arabia must be linked to a SABER certificate; without it the shipment is held at the port.
The platform divides products into two groups:
- Regulated products – covered by a Saudi Technical Regulation (electrical appliances, toys, textiles, building materials, auto parts, cosmetics packaging, lubricants, and many more). These need a PCoC issued by a SASO-notified certification body, then an SCoC per shipment.
- Non-regulated products – no technical regulation applies. The importer files a self-declaration on SABER and only an SCoC is issued per shipment.
PCoC vs SCoC: what is the difference?
| Product Certificate (PCoC) | Shipment Certificate (SCoC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Proves a product model conforms to the Saudi technical regulation | Confirms a specific shipment contains PCoC-covered goods |
| Issued by | SASO-approved certification body (CAB) after document/test review | Same CAB, on the importer's SABER request |
| Validity | 1 year | One shipment only |
| Needed for | Regulated products | Regulated and non-regulated products |
| Typical time | 3–7 working days (with valid test reports) | Same day to 48 hours |
Which products need a SABER PCoC?
Check the Saudi HS code of your product on the SABER platform. Common regulated categories exported from India include:
- Electrical and electronic appliances (LVED, EMC, energy efficiency)
- Toys and children's products
- Textiles, garments and footwear
- Building materials, ceramics, sanitaryware, pipes
- Automotive spare parts, tyres, batteries, lubricants
- Kitchenware, cookware and food-contact articles
- Paints, detergents and chemicals
- Packaging, paper products, furniture
Food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics are regulated by SFDA rather than SASO (see our SFDA cosmetic registration page). Electrical products also need the G-Mark or SASO IECEE recognition where applicable.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Flowchart: SABER certificate process for Indian exporters]
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How to get a SABER certificate from India: step by step
Step 1 – Importer registers on SABER
Your Saudi importer creates an account with their commercial registration (CR) number. Only the importer can raise requests; the Indian exporter supplies the documents.
Step 2 – Add the product and HS code
The importer adds each product with its HS code, description, photos and brand. SABER shows whether the product is regulated and which technical regulation applies.
Step 3 – Select a certification body and request the PCoC
The importer chooses a SASO-approved CAB (Instacertify works with several) and submits the PCoC request. The exporter uploads the technical file.
Step 4 – Conformity assessment
The CAB reviews test reports against the relevant Saudi or IEC/ISO standard. If you do not have ISO/IEC 17025 test reports, testing is arranged through Instacertify's accredited partner labs (2–4 weeks depending on product). A factory audit is required for some categories.
Step 5 – PCoC issued
The certificate is uploaded to SABER and linked to the product for 12 months. Fees are paid in SABER by the importer.
Step 6 – Request the SCoC for each shipment
Before each consignment ships, the importer raises an SCoC request with the invoice, packing list and quantities. The CAB verifies the goods match the PCoC and issues the SCoC – often within hours.
Step 7 – Customs clearance
Saudi Customs (ZATCA/FASAH) checks the SCoC electronically. No SCoC, no release.
Documents required for a SABER certificate
- Importer's commercial registration and SABER account details
- Commercial invoice and packing list (for SCoC)
- Product technical file: specifications, datasheets, user manual, label artwork
- ISO/IEC 17025 test reports to the applicable Saudi / IEC / ISO standard
- Risk assessment and declaration of conformity
- ISO 9001 or factory quality documentation (category dependent)
- Product photographs showing markings and rating plate
- Safety data sheets for chemical products
SABER certificate cost in India
Fees depend on the number of models, whether testing is needed and the CAB. Indicative costs for Indian exporters:
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| PCoC registration (per product / model) | ₹11,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Conformity assessment by the CAB | ₹35,000 – ₹60,000 |
| SCoC issuance (per shipment) | ₹8,500 – ₹10,000 |
| Product testing (if no valid reports) | Product-specific; from ₹25,000 |
| Factory audit (where required) | Quoted separately |
Grouping variants under one model family and reusing CB/IECEE or CE test reports keeps the cost down. Ask us for a quote against your product list.
SABER certificate timeline
- Product classification and document check: 1–3 business days
- Testing for new products: 2–4 weeks
- PCoC issuance: 3–7 business days after assessment
- Self-declaration for non-regulated goods: 1–2 business days
- SCoC: typically within 1–2 business hours to 48 hours
Validity and renewal
A PCoC is valid for one year; start renewal 30 days before expiry so shipments are not interrupted. An SCoC covers one consignment only. Any change to the product design, components or factory location requires a fresh PCoC.
Why choose Instacertify for SABER certification?
Instacertify Labs Private Limited manages SABER for Indian manufacturers and exporters from Noida, Delhi-NCR, Vadodara and across India: HS-code and regulation mapping, technical file preparation, testing through ISO/IEC 17025-accredited partner laboratories, coordination with SASO-approved CABs, and same-day SCoC follow-up with your Saudi importer. We also cover SONCAP (Nigeria), G-Mark (GCC) and CB/IECEE so one test programme can serve several markets.
Talk to a SABER specialist – share your product list and destination importer and we will confirm whether a PCoC is required and quote within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
Is a SABER certificate mandatory for all exports to Saudi Arabia?
Every consumer-goods consignment needs an SCoC on SABER. A PCoC is also required if the product's HS code falls under a Saudi technical regulation.
How long is a SABER certificate valid?
The PCoC is valid for one year; the SCoC is valid for the single shipment it was issued for.
Can an Indian exporter apply for SABER directly?
No. Requests are raised by the Saudi importer's SABER account; the exporter supplies the technical documents and test reports. Instacertify coordinates both sides.
What is the difference between SASO and SABER?
SASO is the Saudi standards authority; SABER is its online platform for issuing conformity certificates. A "SASO certificate" today means a SABER PCoC/SCoC.
How much does a SABER certificate cost?
Roughly ₹11,000–₹15,000 per model for PCoC registration, ₹35,000–₹60,000 for assessment, and ₹8,500–₹10,000 per shipment for the SCoC, plus testing if needed.
Do I need a factory audit for a SABER PCoC?
Only for certain regulated categories (for example some electrical and building products). Most PCoCs are issued on document and test-report review.
