Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mines adds five new product control requirements, starting from April 17, 2025

The Saudi Standards and Metrology Organization (SASO) announced that from April 17, 2025, the following five categories of products must obtain approval from the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mines (MIM) when applying for SALEEM's SCOC, otherwise they will not be able to obtain relevant certificates on the SABER platform. Product Category HsCodeCarton Paper 480524000000480511000000coniferous wood 441299000000441194000000Baby diapers 620920000008961900100000Plastic pipes 391729000001391729000002391729000003391740000000Clay/ Ceramic Pipes 690600000000

G‑Mark Certification Process (Gulf Conformity Mark)

The G‑Mark is a mandatory "entry pass" for products entering the markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The process typically takes 4–7 weeks. The detailed steps are as follows: Step 1: Confirm Whether Your Product Is Within the Mandatory Scope This certification primarily applies to Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (LVE) and children's toys. Check if your product falls into the categories below: Low Voltage Electrical Equipment mainly includes: Kitchen appliances: refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, etc. Environmental appliances: air conditioners, electric fans, etc. Cleaning & personal care: washing machines, hair dryers, electric irons, etc. Power supplies & accessories: plugs, sockets, chargers, power cords, etc. Other: electric heaters, food mixers, etc. If your product is not in the above list, G‑Mark may not be required. However, traditional customs clearance documents for the importing country will still be needed. Step 2: Prepare and Submit Application Documents If your product requires G‑Mark, you need to prepare a set of technical documents and submit them to a certification body. Key documents include: Application form – signed. Test reports – including safety and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) reports. Accepted reports include: GSO‑recognized CB reports, reports from recognized laboratories for EMC, etc. Technical files – circuit diagrams, product photos, nameplate photos. Compliance documents – Declaration of Conformity (DoC) from the manufacturer or importer (in English or English‑Arabic), risk assessment report, ISO 9001 certificate. Product information – user manual (with safety information) in Arabic or English‑Arabic, trademark registration certificate, business license. Step 3: Determine Key...

How to make a saber certificate?

Below is a clear, step-by-step guide. An important prerequisite: As of January 1, 2025, all goods exported to Saudi Arabia must obtain certificates through the SABER system before arrival. Post-arrival applications are no longer accepted. Step 1: Understand SABER Certification SABER is an online system operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). All regulated products exported to Saudi Arabia must obtain two core conformity certificates via SABER. Essentially, SABER certification is the process of applying for these two certificates. Product Conformity Certificate (PCoC) – The "identity card" for product access, proving compliance with Saudi technical regulations. Valid for one year. Applied for jointly by the exporter and the Saudi importer. Shipment Conformity Certificate (SCoC) – The "customs clearance pass" for each shipment, confirming that the batch matches the information on the PC certificate. Valid for a single shipment only – must be applied for separately for each shipment by the Saudi importer. Step 2: Determine Product Category and Certification Route Go to the official SABER website and search using the product's Harmonized System Code (HS Code) to identify the required certification route. Common routes include: Supplier Conformity Declaration (SCoD): For low-risk products. No PC certificate required; you can apply directly for an SC certificate. COC Certificate / QM Certificate: For the majority of regulated products. Follow the standard process to apply for both PC and SC certificates. Other special routes (IECEE / GCTS / SQM): For high-risk or specific products. Complete required pre-certifications (e.g., IECEE, GCC)...

How long does Saber certificate take?

The time it takes to get a SABER certification does vary depending on the situation, but I will go into more detail to explain the process and the factors that influence it. Product Registration: Registering your product in the SABER system is usually the first step in the process. This step can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the complexity of your product and your familiarity with the system. It is critical that all the necessary information is filled out correctly, otherwise it may cause delays in subsequent steps. Choose a Certification Body: Depending on the type of product, you will need to choose a certification body that is recognized by the Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). This step may involve some research and communication to ensure that the body you choose has experience handling your specific product. This step usually does not take too much time, but choosing the wrong body may cause delays in the subsequent process. Document Preparation and Submission: You will need to prepare and submit a series of documents, which may include product specifications, test reports, declarations of conformity, etc. The time for this step will largely depend on whether you have prepared all the necessary documents in advance. If the documents are incomplete or not in the correct format, the certification body may ask for resubmission, which may extend the entire process. Product Testing (if...

Saudi SABER Certification Exempted Products

It is important to note that there is no officially published, unified "Exemption Product List" for SABER certification. The core principle of SABER is that all products exported to Saudi Arabia must be declared through the SABER system. However, depending on the product's use, risk level, and industry, different certification pathways are available, and in some cases, the standard PC+SC process may be exempted. Based on current Saudi regulations, SABER "exemption" mainly falls into the following scenarios: 1. Non-Commercial Use Products (True Exemption) For products not intended for commercial sale and imported for personal use or specific purposes, a Non-Commercial Use Certificate can be applied for, eliminating the need for standard PC and SC certificates. Applicable scenarios include: Personal use items – products imported for personal use Construction/Maintenance supplies – materials for factory construction or equipment maintenance Raw materials for production – raw materials used in production lines Factory equipment – machinery imported for factory production Government procurement goods – supplies provided to government agencies under procurement contracts How to apply: The importer must register on the SABER platform, select the "Non-direct-to-consumer products" category, submit the exemption reason and supporting documents (e.g., purchase contract, license). After approval, a certificate is issued. 2. Cosmetics (Alternative Pathway – Not True Exemption) Cosmetics and perfumes do not need to apply for PC and SC certificates via SABER. Instead, they follow a separate pathway: provide GSO 1943 test report + Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) registration certificate, then apply for inspection to obtain a...

Saber Certification Requirements

SABER certification is a mandatory requirement for imported products entering Saudi Arabia. As of 2025, it covers virtually all goods exported to the country. The entire process is carried out through the online SABER system, and requires two separate certificates: one for the product itself and one for each shipment. Core Requirements: Two Key Certificates The core of SABER certification consists of the following two mandatory certificates: PCoC (Product Conformity Certificate): A "pass" for the product, proving that its design complies with Saudi standards. Applicant: Must be submitted to the SABER system by a local Saudi importer. Validity: Typically 1 year (may be shorter for high-risk products). Multiple shipments of the same product within the validity period can reuse the same PCoC. Key point: Before applying, ensure the product’s HS code is the latest 12-digit code. SCoC (Shipment Conformity Certificate): A "customs clearance pass" for each batch of goods, proving that the shipment matches the PCoC. Applicant: Saudi importer. Validity: Valid only for that specific shipment. Key point: The application must be completed before the goods arrive at the port. Strictly Prohibited: As of 1 January 2025, the previous "Undertaking letters" customs clearance method has been completely abolished. Certification Process: Four Steps to Clearance Product Compliance Assessment – The exporter provides product documents to an SASO‑recognized body, which determines the certification pathway (e.g., whether testing or factory inspection is required). Apply for PCoC – The Saudi importer uploads the required documents to the SABER system; after review, the PCoC is...