SABER Certificate: PCoC and SCoC Explained for KSA Imports

A "SABER certificate" is not one document. SABER is the Saudi platform, and the certificates issued through it are the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Regulated products need a PCoC once, then an SCoC for every shipment. Since 1 October 2025, SASO's rule covers all imported goods, regulated or not, so every shipment needs an SCoC before the customs declaration.

This guide explains the two certificates, what they cost, how long they last and how they connect to customs. SASO and ZATCA can change details, so confirm every fee and validity on saber.sa before you ship.

What is a SABER certificate?

A SABER certificate is a conformity certificate issued through SABER, the electronic platform that links importers and local factory owners with approved conformity assessment bodies (CABs). The platform is on saber.sa. SASO, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, is the regulator. Motaded names Thiqah Business Services as the operator and says SABER has been mandatory for importers since January 2019.

The terms get mixed up, so here is a quick glossary:

• SABER: the platform.
• SASO: the regulator that sets the rules.
• CAB: a SASO-approved body that assesses products and issues the PCoC.
• PCoC: the product-level certificate.
• SCoC: the shipment-level certificate that customs checks.
• SDoC: an importer's self-declaration for non-regulated products.

PCoC vs SCoC: what is the difference?

The PCoC covers a product. The SCoC covers one shipment of that product. Fees and validity below come from secondary sources, so treat them as a guide and check the live service card on SABER.

Sources: TPMEA and Motaded. SABER does not publish CAB and testing fees, so ask the CAB for a quote. VAT in Saudi Arabia is 15%, so a SAR 350 SCoC fee becomes SAR 402.50 with VAT.

A note on the 90-day validity. SABER's homepage notice says the Shipment Certificate validity was extended from 60 days to 90 days. GMA Labs dates the change to September 2026 and says fees and issuance requirements are unchanged. Some older pages still say 60 days. One source says the service card for some product types may still show 60. Check the card for your product type.

A worked example

Say a UAE exporter sends the same regulated product model to a Saudi importer in three shipments. The importer needs one PCoC (SAR 500 plus the CAB's fees) and three SCoCs (3 × SAR 350 = SAR 1,050). The platform fees come to SAR 1,550 excl. VAT. This is a hypothetical example. The CAB fee depends on the product and the CAB.

Do non-regulated products need a SABER certificate?

Yes, they need an SCoC for each shipment, but not a PCoC. The Saudi Press Agency reported on 26 August 2025 that, from 1 October, suppliers must issue a consignment certificate before submitting any customs declaration. It said the rule applies to all imported products, whether or not they are subject to technical regulations. The certificate is issued electronically on saber.sa.

For non-regulated products, the route is simpler. Per TPMEA, the importer files a self-declaration (SDoC), which is free and issued immediately. The SCoC for the shipment is still required.

How do you know if your product is regulated? Check the product's HS code and SASO's technical regulations on SABER. If you are unsure, ask your Saudi customs agent or a CAB before you ship, not after the goods reach Jeddah Islamic Port or Dammam.

How do you get an SCoC? Step by step

The process below follows the flow reported by certification bodies. Timings vary, so check saber.sa.

1. Create the importer account on saber.sa. Account creation is free, according to Motaded.
2. Classify the product. Confirm the HS code and whether a technical regulation applies. Remember that SABER's Customs Tariff Code (HS) was reportedly updated from 1 January 2026, per Carra Globe.
3. Get the PCoC for regulated goods. Pick an approved CAB, send the technical file and test reports, and pay the CAB. Then the platform fee is paid.
4. Prepare shipment documents. Brokers list the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, quantity and model data, and barcode details.
5. Request the SCoC. For regulated goods, the request goes to the CAB that issued the PCoC.
6. Pay the SCoC fee. Payment goes through SADAD. One source gives a biller code, but verify it on SABER before paying.
7. Check the SCoC against your paperwork. Compare product description, quantity and HS code with the commercial invoice before the goods move.
8. Ship, then declare. Your customs agent files the declaration on FASAH.

Issuance times differ between sources, from one or two working days for an SCoC to a longer period for PCoC registration. Treat any number as an estimate and plan buffer time.

How does SABER link to FASAH customs clearance?

SABER feeds FASAH, ZATCA's customs platform, so the SCoC is checked electronically at declaration. According to Safe Hands, the two systems were integrated on 1 July 2020. Gettransport says the SCoC flows into FASAH without manual attachment.

That link is why small mismatches cause holds. Carra Globe reports that a mismatch between SABER and FASAH data, such as the HS code or certificate number, can stop clearance.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a CE, UKCA or UL mark is enough. A broker page says such marks do not replace a PCoC.
• Letting the SCoC expire in transit. Count from issuance, not from shipment.
• Changing the invoice after the SCoC is issued. The quantity or model then no longer matches.
• Using a different HS code on FASAH. The code must match what is on SABER.
• Not agreeing who owns the SABER account. The foreign seller and Saudi importer should settle this in the sales contract.

Quickship is a software company, not a CAB, broker or carrier. It does not issue certificates or clear goods. If your team files declarations for UAE and KSA, the Customs Clearance module can help you keep invoice data, HS codes and certificate references in one record, so they are easy to compare before filing.

What is changing in late 2026?

Two changes are worth checking now, both reported by secondary sources, so verify them on saber.sa and with your CAB.

• ICT devices. Carra Globe reports that SASO 3114:2026 replaces CITC GEN-002. It says the grace period ends on 31 October 2026 and the requirement applies from 1 November 2026. If you ship routers, phones or other connected devices, ask your CAB today whether your certificates meet the new standard.
• Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIMR) declarations. Gettransport says a MIMR declaration is needed for a listed set of HS codes, from 15 September 2025. Check whether your codes are on the list.

Rules like these are why the SPA report urged suppliers and customs agents to verify early. It also asked them to coordinate with accredited CABs and prepare conformity documents or self-declarations on SABER before shipment.

Pre-shipment checklist

• Product classified and HS code confirmed
• Regulated or not: confirmed on SABER or with a CAB
• PCoC valid (if regulated), with at least a few months left
• SCoC issued and checked against the invoice
• SCoC validity covers transit and port time
• HS code and certificate number match on SABER and FASAH
• SABER account owner agreed between seller and importer