Saber PCOC Certificate

Saber PCOC certification is the essential first step in the mandatory certification process for exporting products to the Saudi market. In simple terms, it is like a one‑year “Saudi entry ID” for your product.

PCOC stands for Product Certificate of Conformity. It is issued through the Saber platform (the online system operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization – SASO) to prove that a specific product model’s design and specifications fully comply with Saudi technical regulations and national standards.

🎯 Core Purpose of the PCOC Certificate

• Product access credential – It is the entry ticket for your product into the Saudi market. Without it, you cannot apply for the subsequent customs clearance document.
• Basis for the SC certificate – The PCOC is the upstream part of the whole certification process. After obtaining a valid PCOC, you can apply for the downstream Shipment Certificate (SC) for each shipment. The SC certificate is the document actually required for final customs clearance. Think of the PCOC as a product’s “long‑term ID card” and the SC certificate as a “single‑trip visa” for each shipment.

📝 Complete Guide to Applying for PCOC Certification

Who applies?

The application must be initiated by the Saudi local importer – they register an account on the Saber platform and submit the product application. The domestic manufacturer or exporter is mainly responsible for providing the required technical documents.

Application process

The main steps are as follows:

1. Log in to Saber system – The Saudi importer logs in to the official website (https://Saber.sa/) and enters the product application information.
2. Choose a certification body – In the system, select an SASO‑authorised issuing body (e.g., HQTS, Blue Asia, etc.) to handle the application.
3. Pay the platform fee – The importer pays the fixed government platform fee for the PC certificate online.
4. Submit technical documents – The certification body contacts the exporter to request technical documents for review.
5. Review and issuance – After the review is passed, the certification body operates in the Saber system, and the system issues the PCOC certificate online.

⚠️ Important reminder: The SC certificate (for customs clearance) must be issued before the goods arrive at the Saudi port. Any application made after the goods have arrived will be considered invalid, may result in the goods being unable to clear customs, and can incur heavy fines.

Documents required

When applying for a PCOC, ensure all information is consistent – especially product model numbers (must match the physical product, test report, and label). The core documents usually include:

• Application form (provided by the certification body)
• Product test report (issued by a CNAS‑accredited or equivalent third‑party laboratory)
• Technical documents (e.g., product specifications, circuit diagrams, instruction manual in English)
• Importer documents (Saudi importer’s commercial registration, Saber account information)
• Manufacturer documents (business licence, ISO 9001 certificate, etc., may be required for specific cases)
• Product pictures and labels (clear photos of the product, label, packaging)
• Instruction manual in Arabic (mandatory for Saber registration and customs clearance)
• Other specific documents (e.g., Declaration of Conformity – DoC, risk analysis report, factory inspection report – FA – for some products)

🛠️ Main routes to obtain a PCOC

There is not just one way to get a PCOC certificate – it depends on the product category and risk level. The main routes are:

• CoC Direct Certification – Suitable for most medium‑ and low‑risk products. You directly submit a product test report from an accredited laboratory.
• IECEE Certification – Mainly for specific electrical and electronic products (e.g., certain mobile phones, lighting, computers, etc.). You must first obtain a valid CB certificate and report, then convert it online into an IECEE certificate.
• GCC Certification – Mainly for some household appliances (e.g., plugs, sockets, fans, etc.). You need to first pass tests and obtain a GCC certificate.
• QM Certification – For high‑risk products (e.g., gas appliances, certain building materials). This is the most complex route, often involving factory audits, and can take 2‑6 months.
• Other routes – These also include energy efficiency (EER), water efficiency (RWC), cosmetics SFDA registration, and other special paths.

💰 Cost & timeline

• Cost
  • PCOC government platform fee – Approximately 575 Saudi Riyals (SAR) (incl. VAT).
  • Technical review service fee – Charged by the certification body; varies by product. The test report fee varies widely, roughly between 1,500 and 80,000 RMB.
  • Other potential costs – Factory audit fee (approx. 5,500‑7,000 RMB) or other upfront certification fees for some products.
• Processing time
  • Standard timeline – With complete documents, typically about 5 working days.
  • Complex cases – Products requiring factory inspection may take up to 15 working days.

🔑 Validity & key updates

• Validity – The PCOC certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue on the Saber platform (not the date of the laboratory report).
• How to use – During the 1‑year validity, the same product can be shipped multiple times without reapplying for a PCOC. You only need to apply for an SC certificate for each shipment separately.
• Exemptions – Non‑controlled products (low risk) and non‑commercial imports (e.g., personal items, goods imported by government agencies) do not need a PCOC; they only require a self‑declaration or a specific exemption.

⚠️ Important updates (2025)

1. Fully mandatory – From 1 January 2025, all goods exported to Saudi Arabia must obtain a PCOC and SCoC through the SABER system.
2. Undertaking letters abolished – The previous alternative clearance method “undertaking letters” has been completely abolished and is no longer accepted.
3. New MOCI approval – From 17 April 2025, certain products (e.g., toilet paper, baby diapers, ceramic tiles, car batteries, etc.) require additional approval from the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) when applying for SABER certification.