By Emilly Huan    Photo：CANVA

Quick Summary for Distinction:

SABER = Saudi SASO Product Conformity Platform (for conformity and clearance of many general industrial goods & consumer products)

SFDA = Saudi Food and Drug Authority (food / cosmetics / medical devices / pharmaceuticals; independent system, NOT under SABER)

ECAS = UAE MoIAT Conformity Assessment System (for Dubai / Abu Dhabi; completely separate from Saudi Arabia)

I. SABER (Saudi Arabia) Core Revisions & Practical Guidelines

Key point: Both regulated and non-regulated SABER products need an SC. From 1 October 2025, obtain it before submitting the import customs declaration. Plan to have it before arrival, preferably before dispatch.

1. PC Certificate (Product Conformity Certificate)

• Valid for 1 year, covers specified product models (one PC may cover several models; add new models to the valid scope or obtain a separate PC)
• Application initiated by Saudi local importer via their SABER account. Overseas manufacturers cannot register standalone SABER accounts, but may provide test reports and product documents to assist CAB for certification issuance.
• Precondition: Regulated products under GCC / IECEE scope must obtain prerequisite certificates before applying for PC.

2. SC Certificate (Shipment Conformity Certificate)

• One SC per shipment, linked to commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading details for this consignment. Valid for 90 days from issuance; check the certificate dates when planning transit and customs clearance.
• Mandatory Rule: SC must be obtained before submitting the import customs declaration. Do not wait until arrival to arrange it. Missing certificates affect clearance and can add storage costs.
• Application workflow: Saudi importer logs into SABER portal, links a valid PC certificate or completes self-declaration, uploads batch documents, required review and system payment, SC released.

3. SDOC (Self Declaration of Conformity) for non-regulated goods. Products classified by SABER as outside technical regulations are PC-exempt. The importer completes the platform self-declaration, supported by manufacturer documents, then applies for SC. The standard PC stage is omitted; SC is still required.

Important: SDOC is NOT available for all commodities. Eligibility must be verified against official SABER product list, do NOT self-judge.

Pre-requisite Cert Routes under SABER (by product category)

1. GCC Certificate: Certain home appliances, plugs & sockets etc. under GCC regulation → GCC G-Mark → SABER PC → SC
2. Saudi IECEE Certificate for specified electrical & lighting products: CB certificate and test report converted to Saudi IECEE certificate → PC → SC
3. Saudi Quality Mark: Certain construction & industrial goods require this approval → Relevant SABER certificate procedures → SC. JEEM1 is a platform, not a certificate; current Quality Mark services use Maneh.
4. SFDA-covered goods: Cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food → Outside SABER system, apply via independent SFDA platform
    

II. SFDA Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Key Clarifications)

SFDA regulated cargo DO NOT apply for SABER PC/SC. Separate registration & customs documents required.

1. Cosmetics: Registration & notification via GHAD system (former eCosma services have moved). For ordinary commercial imports, complete the relevant consignment SFDA CoC procedures. Prepare the Arabic label information required by cosmetics rules; check ingredients, country of origin, full name & address of Saudi importer. Consignment services via SFDA FASEH, alongside customs filing.
2. Medical Devices: Risk classification Class A / B / C / D. Local Saudi Authorized Representative (AR) is mandatory for non-Saudi manufacturers. Apply for MDMA through GHAD. Published review time for new applications: 35 to 60 working days; preparation and corrections take additional time. MDMA generally valid for up to 3 years; follow the certificate dates.
3. Food products: SFDA food registration. Arabic labelling for prepackaged food, with applicable nutrition facts and shelf-life information. Independent document set for customs clearance, not compatible with SABER paperwork.

Common Pitfall: Many factories assume cosmetics can go through SABER. HS code verification only reveals SFDA jurisdiction after booking, potentially holding up clearance upon arrival. Step one: Verify HS code, intended use and product details to confirm whether SABER or SFDA applies.
 

III. ECAS for UAE (Dubai / Abu Dhabi), No Link to Saudi Arabia

ECAS is conformity assessment system managed by UAE MoIAT (formerly ESMA), must NOT be confused with SABER.

• Applicable scope: Regulated electrical & electronic goods, construction materials, gas appliances, auto parts, selected cosmetics.
• ECAS COC required for regulated items. Where the ECAS mark is required, plan for clear, durable marking on the product, preferably printed or permanently affixed. Non-removable labels may be accepted in certain circumstances. For labels or alternative locations, follow the certification procedure and obtain any required approval; do not assume ordinary stickers are acceptable.
• Process: CAB reviews test reports & technical files for certification issuance. Sampling test may be required for certain products.

Typical Business Mistake: Client ships mixed cargo to Saudi + Dubai and attempts to reuse one certificate set for both destinations. SABER / SFDA for Saudi and the applicable ECAS or other UAE requirements are fully independent and non-interchangeable.
 

IV. Shipment Preparation Checklist | For Documentation Team Direct Use

Phase 1: Pre-shipment Review (To be completed at booking stage)

1. HS Code confirmation (first 6 digits are international HS; Saudi Arabia now uses a 12-digit integrated tariff. Check intended use and product details to determine SABER / SFDA / self-declaration status)
2. Product classification: General goods / GCC / IECEE / SFDA cosmetics/medical / SDOC low-risk
3. Model list: All item models, descriptions & brand for this shipment. Verify all models are fully covered under valid PC certificate. Uncertified models need a PC or approved scope inclusion before the SC can be obtained.
4. Importer details: Saudi importer SABER account, tax ID, full address (must match SC application and clearance records)

Phase 2: SABER Document Package (Submitted to Importer / CAB for PC & SC application)

1. Commercial Invoice: Product description, model, brand, quantity, unit price, total amount, country of origin. Must match packing list and BOL.
2. Packing List: Gross weight, net weight, carton dimension, item breakdown per carton.
3. Product photos: Front view, rear view and close-up of product label (check the Arabic information required for the category!)
4. Test report / GCC / IECEE certificate (per product category)
5. Certificate of Origin (CO): Prepare as required for the exporting country, clearance and certification review; the issuing body is not universally CCPIT
6. Draft Bill of Lading: Consignee & shipper information on SC must match BOL

For SFDA regulated goods: Skip SABER PC/SC. Cosmetics: GHAD notification and consignment CoC records. Medical devices: applicable MDMA, AR and importer records. Food and pharmaceuticals: their respective registration, label and import documents.

Phase 3: Outer Carton & Product Label Check (High inspection risk items)

1. Carton marks: PO number, model, country of origin (Made in China for Chinese-origin goods)
2. Permanent product label: Arabic information as required by product rules (English can be added); warnings and safety information must include Arabic
   • Check applicable fields: Product name, model, manufacturer, full Saudi importer name & address
   • Cosmetics: Ingredient list; Food: Production date / expiry / nutrition information panel, where required
3. Avoid: Missing required labels, detachable or non-compliant stickers, label information inconsistent with certificates

New requirement: From 1 October 2026, products covered by the ten technical regulations in SASO's circular must show the supplier name (importer or local manufacturer) and commercial registration number; this is not a blanket rule for all products.

Phase 4: Document Consistency Final Check (Before BOL cut-off)

Check the documents by role:

• Invoice, packing list and BOL: Check product descriptions, models, brands, quantities and shipper/consignee details. Shared fields must be consistent; reconcile quantities using corresponding units. Each document need not repeat every field.

• PC certificate: All products and models requiring a PC in this shipment must be covered by a valid PC. Check consignment quantities against the shipping documents and SC records.

• SC certificate: Product, model, quantity and importer details in the application must correspond to the consignment invoice, packing list and applicable transport documents.

Description check example: Invoice states "LED lamp" while certificate reads "LED light". Check that the model and specification match, then align the documents. The wording difference alone does not establish SC rejection. Uncertified models need certification first.

Phase 5: Certification & Booking Timeline (Logistics Schedule)

1. Apply PC in advance (valid for 1 year; can be completed during production preparation)
2. Once shipment details are confirmed, prepare the packing list, invoice and BOL draft → Initiate SC application early; loading is not a universal prerequisite
3. SC allowance, once product registration, documents and PC or self-declaration are complete: Standard applications: 1 to 2 working days based on the published service time. Applications requiring GCC/IECEE prerequisite document checks: Allow 3 to 5 working days in total. Prerequisite certification, testing and corrections take additional time.
4. Plan to obtain SC before arrival, preferably before dispatch. Do not routinely leave the application until after vessel departure, especially for short sea transits or air freight.
5. Issued SC PDF to Saudi importer for Saudi customs clearance.
    

V. Top Common Pitfalls (Freight & Foreign Trade)

1. Mix SABER and SFDA rules: Product falls under SFDA scope but applicant applies for SABER. This cannot replace SFDA documents and affects clearance
2. Missing models in PC: PC covers model A only, shipment includes model A+B. For regulated model B, obtain a PC or approved scope inclusion before the shipment SC
3. Missing required Arabic label: Inspection may lead to corrections and delayed release; do not leave labelling until arrival
4. Late SC submission: Application submitted shortly before vessel arrival; queries or insufficient review time can disrupt clearance
5. Cross-country certificate reuse: SABER certificate cannot clear Dubai customs; regulated UAE products follow ECAS or other applicable local requirements
6. Improper SDOC application: Regulated goods forced through SDOC do not meet the required conformity procedures
    

VI. Quick Decision Flow Chart

Export to Saudi Arabia → Verify HS Code + product use
Food / Cosmetics / Pharmaceuticals / Medical Devices → SFDA system, no SABER
 Regulated industrial goods (home appliance / lighting etc.) → Applicable prerequisite GCC/IECEE or other cert → SABER PC → SC
Non-regulated goods → SDOC self-declaration, PC exempt → SC

Export to UAE → Verify HS Code + product details for regulated status → Obtain ECAS or other required local approvals for regulated products

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