Want to Export to Saudi Arabia? Get SASO Certified Today!

If you’re an exporter eyeing Saudi Arabia’s market, take this to heart: compliance isn’t optional, it’s a market-entry pass. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has modernized how it enforces product safety and quality—and if your shipments don’t carry the right SASO certificate issued through the SABER platform, they’ll be stopped at the border. Getting SASO-certified early isn’t bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake — it’s the fastest way to protect revenue, shorten lead times, and keep buyers happy. 

What “SASO certification” actually means today

SASO’s conformity framework now relies on two main electronic certificates on the SABER platform:

• Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)—shows that a product model complies with applicable Saudi technical regulations (valid typically for one year).

• Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)—accompanies every consignment and is required for customs clearance. In short: product-level clearance + shipment-level clearance = allowed into Saudi territory. Several officially authorized Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), such as SGS, TÜV, Cotecna, and others, issue these certificates under SASO’s system. 

Why exporters should care—three practical reasons

1. No certificate = no clearance. SABER ties into customs systems (e.g., FASAH); shipments without a valid SCoC are denied entry or forced into costly re-export procedures. This is enforcement, not suggestion. 

2. Faster predictable logistics. When certificates are prepared and validated before shipment, port dwell time drops and customers receive stock on schedule — a real competitive advantage in tight supply chains. Multiple trade advisories note that SABER aims to speed processing when documentation is in order. 

3. Market trust and lower commercial risk. SASO conformity builds confidence with Saudi buyers and regulators — useful when you bid for big contracts or want to add distributors in the Kingdom. Accredited CAB-issued certification is a recognized quality signal. 

Fast roadmap: getting certified (practical steps)

1. Classify your product using HS codes. SABER assigns a risk level by HS code; risk level determines whether a PCoC is needed (regulated products) or self-declaration suffices (low-risk).

2. Collect the documents CABs require. Typical list: commercial registration, test reports (lab reports), product photos/spec sheets, manuals (Arabic or Arabic+English), and an undertaking from the exporter or manufacturer. Prepare translations where necessary. 

3. Engage an accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). CABs can do testing, review documentation, and submit dossiers to SASO/SABER on your behalf (SGS, TÜV, Cotecna, QIMA, etc.). This is often faster and less error-prone than DIY. 

4. Register the product on SABER, obtain PCoC (if required), then SCoC per consignment. SCoCs are per-shipment; PCoCs often last a year. Importantly: SABER issuance must be done before arrival/clearance — late issuance is treated as non-compliant. 

Common exporter mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Assuming “one certificate fits all” — don’t treat a PCoC as a shipment pass. You still need an SCoC for every consignment. Plan documentation per shipment. 

• Skipping Arabic translations—user manuals and labeling often require Arabic or bilingual documentation; lacking these can delay approval. 

• Waiting to register until cargo is en route—SABER is integrated with customs; certificates issued after arrival often mean costly delays or re-export. Start registration weeks before shipment to avoid surprises. 

Strategic moves that pay off

• Pre-test in reputable labs — provide robust, accredited test reports upfront to speed PCoC approvals and reduce back-and-forth with CABs.

• Use a local representative or importer who understands SABER — they can help with the technicalities of product codes and local compliance nuances.

• Invest in a compliance playbook for Saudi shipments — standardize your document checklist, file naming, and Arabic translations so every shipment follows the same high-quality process.

Real-world example (how it saves money)

Imagine an electronics manufacturer that moves from ad-hoc shipment certificates to a structured PCoC + SCoC workflow. By pre-registering models on SABER and automating per-shipment SCoC requests, they cut average port dwell time by days, reduced demurrage fees, and captured a steady distribution contract with a Gulf retailer. The revenue upside from reliable delivery often outweighs the certification cost many times over. (Add company-specific ROI numbers here if you want a tailored calculation.) 

Final pitch: treat SASO as a market entry accelerator

SASO conformity isn’t a tax on trade—it’s the gatekeeper that ensures safety and quality for one of the Middle East’s largest consumer markets. For exporters, the smart move is to bake SABER/SASO into your export checklist, partner with an accredited CAB, and treat certification as an operational routine, not an emergency. That shift turns regulatory friction into predictable, repeatable access to Saudi customers — and predictable access is how you scale.