Exporting to Saudi Arabia Saber Certification: PCoC & SCoC

Many foreign trade professionals dealing with the Saudi market often get confused by terms like Saber, PCoC, and SCoC. Goods being detained at the port and incurring high demurrage fees are often due to applying for the wrong certificates or misunderstanding the process. Today, we will clearly explain the two core certificates for Saudi customs clearance to help you avoid these pitfalls.

All commercial goods shipped to Saudi Arabia must be registered on the Saber platform to obtain the corresponding Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) for smooth customs clearance. However, whether you need a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) depends primarily on whether your product is classified as a regulated or non-regulated product.

What are Saudi Regulated Products?

Requires both PCoC and SCoC Dual Certificates

Regulated products pose safety, health, and environmental risks and have the highest customs clearance requirements. They must obtain both the PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) and the SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity). Before issuing a PCoC, the certification body will review the laboratory test reports, and some high-risk products will also require a factory audit.

Main Categories of Regulated Products:

• Electrical and Electronic Products: Home appliances, IT equipment, mobile phones, chargers, LED lighting products.

• Children's Products: Toys, amusement equipment, baby diapers.

• Building Materials: Cement, steel rebars, insulation materials, paint, elevators, various types of pipes.

• Chemicals & Cosmetics: Detergents, lubricants, personal care products, hazardous chemicals.

• Machinery & Automotive: Auto parts, tires, automotive batteries, industrial machinery.

• Textiles & Apparel: Garments, fabrics, carpets, mattresses.

• Home & Kitchenware: Furniture, kitchenware, food contact packaging materials.

Non-Regulated Products

(No PCoC required, but SCoC is indispensable)

If your product is not on the Saudi SASO Technical Regulations control list, you do not need to apply for a third-party PCoC certificate. However, this does not mean you do not need to ensure compliance.

Requirements:

• An electronic Supplier Declaration of Conformity (sdoc) must be issued by the Saudi importer.

• For every shipment, you must still apply and pay for an SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity), which serves as an essential document for customs clearance.

Examples of Common Non-Regulated Products: General home decorations, sunglasses, umbrellas, etc.

Important Reminder: "Non-regulated" does not mean you can export without documentation. The SCoC remains a mandatory customs clearance document.

Differences Between PCoC and SCoC

The Complete Saber Certification Process

The Saber platform operates with the local Saudi importer as the main entity. The importer registers an account and initiates the application, while the domestic exporter cooperates by providing the necessary documents.

Phase 1: Applying for the PCoC (Required for Regulated Products)

1. The Saudi importer logs into the Saber platform and completes the enterprise account registration.

2. Enters the product information and accurate HS code; the system automatically determines whether the product belongs to a regulated category.

3. Selects a SASO-approved Certification Body (CB) on the platform.

4. The exporter submits technical documents, specifications, and test reports issued by recognized laboratories. High-risk products may require an additional factory audit.

5. Pays the PCoC certificate fee. Once the certification body completes its review, the platform issues the electronic PCoC certificate.

Phase 2: Applying for the SCoC (Required for Every Shipment)

Prerequisite: For regulated products, the account must hold a valid PCoC certificate before an SCoC application can be initiated.

1. Creates a new shipment application in the Saber backend and selects the products that have completed certification.

2. Uploads a full set of shipping documents, including the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading.

3. The system verifies that the shipped products match the existing PCoC / Self-Declaration information.

4. Pays the SCoC issuance fee to directly obtain the electronic SCoC certificate. The certificate automatically synchronizes with the Saudi Customs system (ZATCA/FASAH) for port release.

Saudi Export Compliance Tips

• SCoC must be completed BEFORE the goods arrive at the port: Applying for the certificate after the goods arrive at the port will not be accepted. This will result in goods being detained, generating huge demurrage fees, or even being directly ordered to be returned.

• No exemption letters or letters of guarantee are accepted: There is no such thing as a temporary letter of guarantee for customs clearance. All commercial goods must go through the formal registration process on the Saber platform. Do not trust so-called "exemption channels."

• Non-regulated ≠ No certificate required: Many companies fall into this trap, thinking that if their product is not on the control list, they don't need to do anything. While non-regulated products skip the PCoC, a Self-Declaration + an SCoC for each shipment are absolutely indispensable.

Foreign Trade Tip: When dealing with the Saudi market, prioritize checking the HS code to confirm the product's regulatory status and plan the certification timeline in advance. Secure the certificates before shipment to avoid unnecessary losses after the containers arrive at the port.