SABER is Saudi Arabia's mandatory product conformity program. Without it, your goods will be held at port. Here's exactly how to register and what it costs.
SABER (Saudi Arabia Product Conformity Assessment Program) is the mandatory product registration and conformity system run by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). Launched in 2019, it replaced the old conformity certificate system and is now fully digital. If you're importing any regulated product into Saudi Arabia from China, you cannot clear customs without a valid SABER certificate.
What products require SABER? Not every product needs SABER registration. SASO categorizes goods into three tiers: Tier 1 (high-risk) products need a full Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) before import. Tier 2 products need a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) per shipment. Tier 3 (low-risk) products are self-declared. Categories requiring SABER include: electronics and electrical appliances, toys and children's products, automotive parts, building materials, personal care products, and food contact materials.
Step 1 — Register on the SABER portal. The importer or their authorized agent creates an account on saber.sa. You'll need your Saudi commercial registration (CR), VAT registration number, and contact details. The importer account links to the product registration system where your product's HS code determines which conformity pathway applies.
Step 2 — Select an accredited conformity body (CB). SASO maintains a list of accredited international conformity bodies authorized to issue SABER certificates for products manufactured in China. For Chinese factories, commonly used CBs include Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland, and several SASO-accredited Chinese testing labs. Your CB selection should be based on their China presence, experience with your product category, and cost.
Step 3 — Factory assessment and product testing. The conformity body will assess your Chinese factory and test product samples against the relevant Saudi or GCC technical regulations. For electronics, this typically means testing against SASO-adopted IEC standards. For toys, EN 71 or ISO 8124. Testing is conducted at labs in China or by auditing the factory's existing test reports. This phase typically takes 2–6 weeks.
Step 4 — Issue of the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC). Once the factory and product pass all requirements, the CB issues the PCoC on the SABER platform. The PCoC is linked to your product's HS code and factory, and is valid for one year (renewable). The PCoC covers an unlimited number of shipments of that product from that factory during its validity period.
Step 5 — Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) per shipment. Before each shipment, the importer applies on SABER for an SCoC referencing the PCoC. The CB reviews the shipment documents (invoice, packing list, B/L) and issues an electronic SCoC. This is the document customs inspectors verify at Saudi ports. Without an SCoC linked to a valid PCoC, the shipment will be held.
How China24 manages SABER for clients. China24 has an established process for managing SABER compliance on behalf of Saudi importers: we identify the correct HS codes for your products, select the most cost-efficient accredited CB with strong China presence, coordinate factory visits and sample testing, manage all portal submissions, and ensure PCoC and SCoC are in place before your goods leave China. Most clients see their first SABER certificate issued within 3–5 weeks of engaging us. Contact our Saudi compliance team to start the process for your products.
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