In Saudi Arabia, the saber certificate for Saudi Arabia is a required certification system that makes sure both foreign and locally made goods meet the country’s safety and quality standards. SABER is part of the Saudi Product Safety Program (SALEEM) and is run by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO).
This guide tells you what the SABER certificate is, what it’s used for, how to get one, what you need to do, and how it can help your business.
What does the SABER Certificate mean?
The SABER Certificate is an online method that SASO made to check for conformity. It makes sure that the technical rules and safety standards for goods coming into Saudi Arabia are met. Companies can use this method to register their goods, get certificates of conformity, and make sure that customs clearance goes smoothly.
The SABER platform links importers with certification bodies, which makes it easier to get approvals for products. It takes the place of the old Certificate of Conformity (CoC) method that used paper.
For what reason does the SABER Certificate matter?
Makes sure the product is safe: it guarantees that the rules set by Saudi Arabia will be followed.
Regulatory Compliance: This is required to clear customs in Saudi ports.
Shipments won’t be held up because of missing licenses, so there are no delays.
Market Access: This is necessary to sell goods in the Saudi market.
Supports Consumer Protection: Makes sure that only safe, high-quality goods come into the land.
Why do you need a SABER certificate?
This is what the SABER license is needed for:
People who bring goods into Saudi Arabia.
Companies that make things for the Saudi market.
Stores and wholesalers that sell regulated goods.
It covers a wide range of items, from consumer goods to industrial ones, including
Electricity-related things
Things used for building
Toys and things for kids
Materials that come into contact with food
Chemicals and beauty products
Medical tools
Different Kinds of SABER Certificates
There are two main types of certificates in the SABER system:
Certificate of Conformity for the Product
Needed for goods that are regulated.
Good for one year.
After making sure it meets Saudi technical standards, it was issued.
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC): This is given out with every shipment of goods.
Required to get through customs.
Checks to see if the imported goods match the listed PCoC.
How Can I Get a SABER Certificate?
There are 5 key steps to the registration process:
First, sign up for the SABER Platform.
The SABER portal (https://saber.sa) is where importers and producers must sign up for an account.
They have to give information about the company, including its name, address, and business registration number.
Step 2: Add information about the product
Type in information about the product, such as its name, model, brand, and place of origin.
Sort the goods into categories that are regulated or those that are not.
Third Step: Get the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC).
Choose a licensing body that is recognized by SASO.
Send in technical papers like test results, safety certificates, and compliance statements.
Pay the fees that are due.
4. Get the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC).
Once you have the PCoC, you need to ask for a SCoC for each shipment.
Before letting a goods into Saudi Arabia, customs officials will check the SCoC.
Step 5: Get through customs
The SABER license is looked over by customs.
After being accepted, the shipment can be sold or given to other people.
What You Need to Get a SABER Certification
For companies to get a PCoC and SCoC, they need to send in the following:
Bill for business
Manifesto (for things that are being brought in)
Reports on product tests (from labs approved by SASO)
Details and datasheets about technology
Authorization to grow
Existing certificates of conformity to foreign standards.
Costs for SABER Certification
How much it costs to get a SABER license depends on:
In what kind of product
Fees for tests and certification
The certifying body that was picked
In general, costs include:
The PCoC registration fee is between 500 and 1000 SAR per item.
350 to 600 SAR per package is the SCoC fee.
Testing fees are different for each type of goods.
How long does it take to get a SABER sign?
It could take anywhere from:
PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) takes two to four weeks.
a SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) in three to five days.
Things that could change the time it takes to process:
How complete the paperwork is
Need for more testing of the product
Time for the certification group to give its approval
What’s good about the SABER system
Makes certification easier: A fully online method cuts down on paperwork.
More quickly approved: Clearing customs is faster when data is processed digitally.
Lowers the chance of not following the rules: Making sure that goods meet SASO standards.
Boosts consumer confidence by letting them know that the items they are buying are safe and of good quality.
Making global trade easier: Makes it easier for exporters and makers to get into Saudi markets.
Common Problems with Signing Up for SABER
Product Classification Wrong
If you don’t know if a product is controlled or not, you might get it rejected.
Solution: Talk to a certification body that is accepted by SASO.
Tests and documentation taking too long
It can take longer to approve if test reports are missing or not full.
Solution: To speed up the process, work with approved labs.
Problems with Clearing Customs
Shipments that don’t have SCoC certificates can’t get in.
Solution: Make sure that every shipment has a proper SCoC.
Not Picking the Right Certification Body
Not every group is okay with SASO.
What to do: Choose a certification body that is accepted by SASO.
Questions That Are Often Asked
Do I have to get the SABER Certificate?
According to SASO rules, all goods entering Saudi Arabia must have this.
May I use a test record from another country to get certified by SABER?
If the test record comes from a lab that is approved by SASO, then yes.
For what amount of time does the SABER Product Certificate work?
Goods and Services Tax (HST) Certificates are good for a year.
For each package, do I need a different SABER certificate?
Yes, a SCoC is needed for every shipment of goods.
Can I get a SABER license even though I’m not an importer in Saudi Arabia?
No, an importer from Saudi Arabia is the only one who can start the registering process.
How can I tell if my item needs a SABER certificate?
You can look at the SABER portal or talk to a certification body that is allowed by SASO.
In conclusion
To bring goods into or sell them in Saudi Arabia, you need to have a SABER Certificate. It makes sure that SASO safety standards are met, speeds up the customs process, and looks out for the interests of consumers. To avoid delays, businesses must go through the right steps to register, choose the right certification group, and give all the necessary paperwork.
If importers and manufacturers know how the SABER certification process works, they can quickly get their products into the Saudi market and make sure they are safe and of good quality.
