Before exporting products to Saudi Arabia, the process involves more than simply applying for a certificate. The product must be assessed under the correct SASO Technical Regulation, with the correct HS code and sufficient evidence of conformity.

A smooth SABER certification process depends largely on the technical review carried out before the application is submitted through the platform. Delays may occur when a product is incorrectly classified, test reports do not cover the correct model, or label information does not comply with the applicable regulation.

CertPlus is a conformity assessment body accepted by SASO and accredited according to ISO/IEC 17065. We conduct product conformity assessment procedures through the SABER platform.

Our assessment is not limited to uploading documents to the system. The product’s structure, intended use, model, brand, manufacturer, HS code, test reports and labelling information are reviewed together as a complete technical file.

The First Step in the SABER Certification Process

The first step in obtaining a SABER certificate is to determine the 12-digit Saudi HS code that will be used for the product. The applicable Technical Regulation, documentation requirements and conformity assessment procedure are determined based on this code.

However, entering an HS code into the system is not sufficient on its own. The commercial description of the product must be consistent with its technical characteristics. Two products sold under the same general name may be subject to different SASO regulations because of differences in material, intended use or technical construction.

For this reason, the CertPlus assessment begins with a review of the following information:

• Commercial and technical name of the product

• Intended use

• Brand and model information

• Manufacturer information

• Product and packaging photographs

• Saudi Arabian HS code

• Available test reports

• Product labels and instructions for use

Following the initial review, we determine whether the product is subject to a Technical Regulation, which documents are required and which conformity assessment procedure should be followed.

How Is a SABER Application Initiated?

A SABER application may be initiated in two different ways.

The Saudi importer may create a product application through the SABER platform and select CertPlus as the conformity assessment body. Alternatively, the product information and available technical documentation may be submitted directly to CertPlus for preliminary assessment.

The pre-application review allows us to:

• Identify the Technical Regulation applicable to the product

• Determine the required testing standards

• Verify whether existing test reports can be accepted

• Review labelling and packaging requirements

• Notify the applicant of missing documents

• Establish the appropriate application plan for the PCoC process

Once the file is considered suitable for assessment, the application is assigned to the CertPlus technical team and the Product Certificate of Conformity process begins.

Technical Review and Product Conformity Assessment

SABER certification is not simply a document-uploading procedure. The product is assessed to determine whether it meets the safety, performance, chemical composition, labelling and consumer information requirements specified in the relevant SASO Technical Regulation.

The CertPlus technical team verifies whether the submitted documents relate to the same product and whether the information provided is consistent across the complete file.

For example, if the model number stated in the test report differs from the model shown on the product label, or if the manufacturer information does not match the application details, the discrepancy must be clarified before the assessment can be completed.

The technical assessment generally includes the following controls.

Review of Accredited Test Reports

Where testing is required under the applicable Technical Regulation, test reports prepared according to the relevant standards must be submitted.

The existence of a test report alone is not sufficient. The report must:

• Cover the relevant product category

• Be prepared according to the correct standard

• Match the product’s brand and model information

• Contain consistent manufacturer information

• Demonstrate compliance with the applicable limits

• Be issued by a laboratory holding the required accreditation

• Have an acceptable issue date and validity status

Where the scope of the report is insufficient, additional testing, an updated report or further technical clarification may be requested.

Product Label and Packaging Review

Products intended for export to Saudi Arabia must display the mandatory information specified in the applicable SASO Technical Regulation.

Depending on the product category, the label may be required to include:

• Product name

• Brand and model

• Manufacturer or importer information

• Country of origin

• Instructions for use

• Safety warnings

• Ingredient or material information

• Production and expiry dates

• Nominal quantity or dimensions

• Mandatory information in Arabic

Label review is not limited to checking the language. The information shown on the label must also be consistent with the test report, commercial invoice, product photographs and SABER application.

Ingredient and Material Conformity

For detergents, paints, toys, textiles, certain cosmetic-related product groups and food-contact materials, an assessment of ingredients, chemical substances or raw materials may be required.

Depending on the product category, the assessment may include:

• Prohibited substances

• Restricted chemicals

• Heavy metals

• Allergens

• Migration limits

• Volatile organic compounds

• Safety Data Sheet information

• Raw material and ingredient lists

The required analyses are determined according to the intended use of the product and the applicable Technical Regulation.

Factory Inspection Requirements

For certain product categories, conformity assessment may not be completed solely through test reports and technical documents. Where required by the applicable Technical Regulation or conformity assessment procedure, an inspection may be carried out at the manufacturing facility.

A factory inspection generally covers:

• Manufacturing processes

• Quality control practices

• Raw material controls

• Product traceability

• Testing and measuring equipment

• Control of nonconforming products

• Final product inspections

• Production records

The need for a factory inspection is determined before the application proceeds, based on the product’s risk level and applicable SASO requirements.

Manufacturer Quality Certificates

Management system certificates such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or GMP are not automatically mandatory for every product.

However, depending on the product category, conformity assessment procedure or Technical Regulation, documentation demonstrating the manufacturer’s quality system and production controls may be requested.

Any certificate submitted should:

• Be issued in the name of the manufacturer

• Cover the relevant manufacturing site

• Include a scope related to the product

• Be valid at the time of application

Product Certificate of Conformity – PCoC

Once the technical assessment has been successfully completed, a Product Certificate of Conformity, commonly referred to as a PCoC, is issued through the SABER platform.

The PCoC confirms that the product has been assessed under the applicable SASO Technical Regulation and has met the relevant conformity requirements.

Before the certificate is issued, the following information is confirmed:

• Product name

• Brand

• Model or product group

• Manufacturer

• Country of origin

• HS code

• Saudi importer

• Applicable Technical Regulation

• Conformity assessment documentation

How Long Is a PCoC Valid?

A PCoC is valid for one year in the SABER system.

During the validity period, a new product certificate is generally not required for repeated shipments of the same product by the same Saudi importer. However, a separate SCoC must still be issued for every shipment.

The PCoC is linked to the relevant product and importer registration. Where the same product is imported by a different Saudi importer, a new SABER product registration and PCoC application may be required.

Is a PCoC Sufficient for Customs Clearance?

No. A PCoC is a product-level conformity certificate.

Having a valid product certificate does not automatically mean that a shipment is ready for customs clearance. A separate Shipment Certificate of Conformity, or SCoC, must be obtained for each commercial shipment and linked to the relevant invoice.

Shipment Certificate of Conformity – SCoC

An SCoC confirms that the products included in a specific shipment correspond to valid product registrations in the SABER system.

It is issued separately for each shipment and is linked to the relevant commercial invoice.

The following information is generally required for an SCoC application:

• Commercial invoice number and date

• Products included in the shipment

• Brand and model information

• Product quantities

• Countries of origin

• Valid PCoC registrations

• Importer information

• Shipment and loading details

CertPlus verifies whether the products included in the shipment application correspond to valid PCoCs previously issued for those products.

What Is Checked During an SCoC Application?

Before the shipment certificate is approved, particular attention is given to the following points:

• Products listed on the invoice must be covered by valid PCoCs

• Brand and model information must match

• Product quantities must be entered correctly

• Country-of-origin information must be consistent

• Importer details must be accurate

• PCoCs must remain valid

• Required shipment documents must be available

Where discrepancies are identified between the invoice and the SABER records, the application may be returned for correction.

Is an SCoC Required for Every Shipment?

Yes. A separate SCoC must be issued for each new commercial shipment, even where the same products are shipped regularly to the same importer.

The PCoC confirms the conformity of the product, while the SCoC confirms the conformity of a specific shipment.

The process therefore follows this sequence:

Product registration → PCoC → Commercial invoice → SCoC → Customs clearance

Common Problems During the SABER Certification Process

Delays in SABER applications are often caused not by the platform itself, but by inconsistencies between the product information and the submitted documents.

The most common issues include:

• Incorrect or incomplete HS codes

• Different model numbers appearing in test reports

• Inconsistent manufacturer information

• A brand name on the product label that differs from the application

• Test reports prepared according to the wrong standard

• Products on the invoice that are not covered by a valid PCoC

• Expired PCoCs

• Missing Arabic labelling information

• Product photographs that do not clearly show the relevant model

• Additional registrations required under the Technical Regulation not being completed

CertPlus aims to identify such inconsistencies during the preliminary technical review, before they result in delays during the certification stage.

SABER Certification with CertPlus

CertPlus does not act merely as an intermediary carrying out portal transactions. We operate as an authorised conformity assessment body responsible for evaluating product conformity.

For every application, we first determine whether the product falls within the correct scope. The required tests, technical documents, labelling information and conformity assessment procedure are then established specifically for the product.

Throughout the process, we:

• Assess the product scope

• Identify the applicable SASO Technical Regulation

• Review test reports

• Examine labels and packaging

• Notify the applicant of missing documentation

• Evaluate the PCoC application

• Complete the SCoC assessment before shipment

Our objective is not merely to complete an application quickly. It is to establish a correct certification process in which the product, technical documentation and SABER records are fully consistent.

Start the SABER Process for Your Product

To determine whether your product falls within the SABER scope and which documents are required, you may submit the following information to CertPlus:

• Product name and brief technical description

• Product and packaging photographs

• Saudi Arabian HS code

• Brand and model information

• Manufacturer information

• Available test reports, if any

Following the preliminary review, we identify the applicable Technical Regulation, required documentation and appropriate certification route for your product.

Submit your product for assessment before it is prepared for loading, rather than waiting until the shipment stage. A correctly initiated SABER application can significantly reduce costly corrections and delays at the final stage.