SASO certification is the Saudi Arabia Standards Organization's conformity assessment regime, operated through the SABER platform under the broader SALEEM (Saudi Product Safety Programme) framework. Any regulated product entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must hold two documents: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a shipment-specific Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Without both, your container will be held at Jeddah, Dammam, or Riyadh port.
For Indian exporters, SASO certification to Saudi Arabia is one of the more demanding global market access procedures — not because the technical requirements are unusually harsh, but because the SABER platform's workflow is unfamiliar and the division of work between manufacturer, importer, and conformity assessment body is often misunderstood.
🌐 SALEEM Framework and the SABER Platform
The SALEEM programme is Saudi Arabia's unified product safety and conformity regime, covering regulated and non-regulated products. The SABER platform (saber.sa) is the online portal where Saudi importers submit shipment notices, select a nominated conformity assessment body (CAB), upload technical files, and pay fees for PCoC and SCoC issuance.
📌 The Saudi importer is the account holder on SABER — not the foreign manufacturer. However, the manufacturer must provide the technical documentation, test reports, and product information that the importer uploads on the platform.
📝 PCoC vs SCoC: The Two Certificates You Need
Product CoC (PCoC)
Certifies the product model's conformity to applicable Saudi technical regulations. Valid for 1 year. Issued per model, per factory.
Shipment CoC (SCoC)
Certifies the specific shipment matches the PCoC. Issued per invoice / consignment. Valid only for that shipment.
CAB Role
Accredited conformity assessment bodies review documentation, issue PCoC and SCoC, and liaise with SASO on behalf of the importer.
📋 Step-by-Step SABER Registration Process
- Importer Creates SABER AccountThe Saudi importer registers on saber.sa using their commercial registration number. Foreign manufacturers cannot open SABER accounts directly.
- Classify the Product as Regulated or Non-RegulatedSABER uses HS codes and product descriptions to determine whether the item falls under a Saudi technical regulation (SASO SR).
- Select a Certification Body (CAB)Importer selects one of the SASO-accredited CABs that covers the product category. CAB quotations vary significantly — compare before committing.
- Upload Technical DocumentationProduct datasheet, test reports against applicable SASO standards, quality manual, factory details, and model list.
- CAB Review and PCoC IssuanceThe CAB reviews, queries, and issues the PCoC once all evidence is satisfactory. Valid for one year.
- Shipment-Level SCoC ApplicationFor each shipment, the importer submits invoice data on SABER, pays the fee, and the CAB issues the SCoC tied to that shipment.
- Customs Clearance at Saudi PortSaudi customs digitally verify PCoC and SCoC against the shipment. No paper submission required, but any mismatch holds the container.
📄 Technical Documentation Required
- Product technical datasheet, specifications, and variants list
- Test reports against applicable SASO standards from ILAC-accredited labs
- ISO 9001 certificate of the manufacturing site (strongly preferred)
- Factory registration certificate and address proof
- Energy efficiency labelling evidence for electrical appliances (SEEL/Energy Label)
- Commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading for SCoC applications
- Manufacturer's declaration of conformity
- Product photos including packaging and any Arabic labelling
🔌 Energy Efficiency Labelling (SEEL)
Air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, and lighting products must carry a Saudi Energy Efficiency Label (SEEL) issued by SEEC (Saudi Energy Efficiency Center). The SEEL is a separate registration from SASO and must be displayed in Arabic on the product. Missing or incorrect SEEL labelling is one of the top five reasons for container detention in Jeddah.
☠️ Common SABER Mistakes
Recurring failures Indian exporters encounter with SASO certification: selecting a CAB that doesn't cover the specific product category (re-quoting wastes 1–2 weeks), uploading test reports from non-ILAC-accredited labs, mismatching model numbers between PCoC and actual shipment marking, and forgetting that PCoCs are per factory — moving production from one plant to another invalidates the certificate even if the brand and model are identical.
⏰ Timeline and Fees
A well-prepared PCoC application through an accredited CAB takes 10–20 business days. SCoC issuance for an individual shipment is typically 1–3 business days once the invoice is uploaded. Fees vary by CAB and product category but PCoC fees generally range from USD 600 to USD 2,500 per model per year, and SCoC fees are per-shipment (often USD 150–400). Factoring these recurring costs into your export pricing is essential.
SASO & SABER Compliance Partner
Global Approbation manages SASO technical evaluations, SABER platform registration, and PCoC/SCoC issuance for Indian manufacturers exporting to KSA.
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