The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) is the national standards body of Saudi Arabia responsible for regulating the quality and safety of products entering the Kingdom. To import goods into Saudi Arabia, businesses must obtain a SASO certificate of conformity through the SABER electronic platform, demonstrating that their products meet the required technical regulations and standards.
Tetra Inspection helps importers and exporters navigate the SASO/SABER certification process, ensuring your products comply with Saudi Arabian standards and can enter the market without delays or rejections at customs.
What Is the SABER Platform?
SABER is the electronic system introduced by SASO to streamline the product certification process for goods imported into Saudi Arabia. It replaced the older SASO certification system and provides a unified digital platform for issuing certificates of conformity. All regulated products must be registered on SABER before they can clear Saudi customs.
The SABER system issues two types of certificates: the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), which covers the product type and is valid for one year, and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC), which is issued per shipment and required for customs clearance.
SASO Certification Process
Obtaining your SASO/SABER certificate involves several key steps. Working with an experienced partner like Tetra Inspection can help simplify the process and avoid costly mistakes.
- Product Classification β Determine the applicable Saudi technical regulations and standards for your product category. SASO maintains a list of regulated products that require certification.
- Testing & Evaluation β Submit product samples to an accredited testing laboratory for evaluation against the relevant SASO standards. Test reports must come from a recognized conformity assessment body.
- SABER Registration β Register your product on the SABER platform, providing product details, test reports, and supporting documentation. Both the importer and the manufacturer or supplier must have SABER accounts.
- Product Certificate (PCoC) β Once your product passes evaluation, a Product Certificate of Conformity is issued. This certificate covers the product type and is valid for up to one year, depending on the product category.
- Shipment Certificate (SCoC) β For each shipment entering Saudi Arabia, a Shipment Certificate of Conformity must be obtained through SABER. This certificate is required for customs clearance.
- Customs Clearance β Present the SCoC along with your shipping documents at Saudi customs to clear your goods into the Kingdom.
Requirements for SASO Certification
To successfully obtain SASO/SABER certification, you will typically need the following:
- Product test reports from an accredited laboratory
- Technical documentation and product specifications
- Commercial invoice and packing list for each shipment
- Manufacturer's declaration of conformity
- Quality management system certificate (ISO 9001 or equivalent, recommended)
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- SABER platform accounts for both importer and supplier
Products Requiring SASO Certification
A wide range of products require SASO certification before entering Saudi Arabia. These include but are not limited to:
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Toys and children's products
- Textiles and garments
- Building materials and construction products
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Food contact materials
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Household appliances
- Lighting products
- Machinery and industrial equipment
Why Work with Tetra Inspection?
Navigating the SASO/SABER certification process can be complex, especially for businesses new to the Saudi Arabian market. Tetra Inspection provides end-to-end support to ensure a smooth certification experience:
- Expert guidance on product classification and applicable standards
- Coordination with accredited testing laboratories worldwide
- Assistance with SABER platform registration and documentation
- Pre-shipment inspections to verify product compliance before shipping
- Ongoing support for shipment certificate renewals
- Fast turnaround to avoid delays in your supply chain
Whether you are exporting to Saudi Arabia for the first time or need help managing ongoing compliance, our team of quality control specialists is ready to assist you at every step.