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New Regulation! Prepare this certification before your cargo arrives at the port
According to the latest notification from SASO, from 1 January 2025. all goods exported to Saudi Arabia will be required to submit an application through the SABER system to obtain: PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) and SCoC (Shipment Certificate).
Undertaking letters, which were previously available, will no longer be used for customs clearance. SCoCs applied for after arrival will be considered invalid, resulting in invalid customs clearance. The importer may have to bear all the penalties and demurrage or demurrage charges incurred as a result.
Certificates issued under the SABER system must be issued prior to the arrival of the goods in Saudi Arabia. Any application for a SABER certificate after the arrival of the goods in Saudi Arabia will be considered a violation of the law and the issuing organisation will be held liable.
Overview of SABER Certification
SABER certification is a mandatory product certification system in Saudi Arabia, which aims to ensure that imported products comply with Saudi standards and regulations in terms of quality, safety and environmental protection. All products sold in Saudi Arabia, including machinery and equipment, etc., must be SABER certified.
Types of Certificates for SABER Certification
SABER certification is divided into two phases and requires the application of two certificates:
1. PC certificate (Product Conformity Certificate, Product Conformity Certificate):
This is a product registration certificate, proving that the product complies with Saudi Arabia's technical regulations and standards.
Validity period: usually 1 year, after the expiry of which you need to re-apply. Within the validity period, the same product shipments do not need to repeat the PC certificate.
Application Procedure: Relatively complicated, need to submit product manuals, technical specifications, test reports, proof of qualifications of the manufacturer and other necessary documents, and after the examination of the issuing organisation.
Importance: As a necessary condition for entering the Saudi market, PC certificate has a decisive influence on whether the products can be sold in the Saudi market.
2、SC Certificate (Shipment Conformity Certificate):
This is the shipment certificate, which proves that the goods imported in the batch are consistent with the products described in the PC certificate and meet the Saudi requirements.
Validity: valid only for the batch of imported goods, that is, each shipment needs to re-apply for the SC certificate.
Application process: Relatively simple, but you need to submit necessary documents such as product photos, trademarks, HS codes, etc. after shipment and confirm the validity of the PC certificate.
Importance: As a necessary condition for product clearance, SC certificate plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth entry of goods into the Saudi market.
Process of applying for SABER-SC Certificate
The process of applying for SABER-SC certificate usually includes the following steps:
1. the importer to submit an application: the importer in the goods before shipment, through the SABER system to submit an application for SC certificate.
2. to confirm the validity of the PC certificate: SABER system will be the batch of goods corresponding to the validity of the PC certificate to ensure that the product has been certified PC.
3. pay the certification fee: importers need to pay the SC certificate certification fees.
4.Issue SC certificate: After the certification body audit, SABER system online SC certificate issued.
SABER-SC certificate of the new regulations Note
According to the latest notice from SASO, since 1 January 2025. all goods exported to Saudi Arabia must comply with the following new regulations:
1. Application before arrival: All products exported to Saudi Arabia must apply for an SC certificate through the SABER system before the goods arrive at the port. SC certificate applied after arrival will be regarded as invalid, resulting in goods not being able to clear customs.
2.Provide bill of lading to confirm the in-transit status: When applying for SC certificate later, you need to provide bill of lading and other documents to confirm the in-transit status of the goods. This is to ensure that the application for SC certificate is in line with the actual transport situation of the goods.