A step-by-step walkthrough of the two certificates you need before a Saudi-bound shipment can clear customs, the documents each one requires, and the mistakes that most often cause delays.
Every regulated product moving into Saudi Arabia needs two separate certificates, issued in sequence. Getting the order wrong — or assuming one covers the other — is the single most common reason shipments get held at port.
Issued once per product model. Confirms the product itself meets the relevant SASO technical regulation. Typically valid for one year and reused across multiple shipments of the same product.
Issued per shipment, referencing an existing PCoC. Confirms that this specific consignment matches the certified product. Must be obtained before the goods arrive at a Saudi port.
Before anything else, determine whether the product falls under a SASO technical regulation, and if so, whether it's treated as high, medium, or low risk. This classification determines which conformity assessment route applies and which supporting documents will be requested later.
Registration happens through an accredited conformity assessment body working with the SABER platform. The documents required vary by product category, but most applications draw from the same core set:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Confirms the product, quantity, and value being shipped |
| Test reports | Shows the product meets the applicable technical regulation, from an accredited lab |
| Technical file / product specification | Describes materials, construction, and intended use |
| Manufacturer's declaration of conformity | A signed statement from the manufacturer confirming compliance |
| Packing list | Required at the shipment stage, matched against the SCoC application |
Once documents are in order, the conformity assessment body reviews the technical file and test reports, then issues the Product Certificate of Conformity. This certificate is tied to the product, not the shipment — it doesn't need to be reissued for every order of the same item within its validity period.
Processing time depends heavily on whether test reports already exist. Products with current, valid test reports from an accredited lab move fastest; products needing new testing add the lab's turnaround time on top.
With a valid PCoC in place, the shipment-specific certificate can be requested. This step should be completed before the goods leave for Saudi Arabia — not after they arrive. As of the 2025 regulatory update, an SCoC application submitted after arrival is treated as a compliance violation, not a late filing, and can result in customs rejection or mandatory re-export.
Businesses shipping a narrow product range on a predictable schedule can often manage PCoC/SCoC applications directly. It tends to make sense to work with an accredited consultancy when you're certifying multiple product categories at once, working against a tight shipping deadline, or navigating a technical regulation for the first time.