Expanding into the lucrative Saudi Arabian market requires a clear understanding of its strict product compliance laws. If you are manufacturing, importing, or distributing goods bound for the Kingdom, understanding the SABER platform is a non-negotiable first step. This comprehensive guide details what SABER is, the certificates it issues, the 2026 regulatory updates every exporter needs to know, and how it fits alongside the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) and the Maneh platform.
What Is the SABER Certificate?
SABER is Saudi Arabia’s mandatory online conformity platform, operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), through which importers and exporters register products, submit technical files, and obtain the certificates required to clear Saudi customs.
SABER is not itself a certification body — it’s the digital gateway through which SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), such as HQTS, review and issue certificates.
Before SABER, product certification for the Saudi market ran through a slower, paper-based process under the older SASO Conformity Assessment Programme. SASO replaced this with SABER as the digital backbone of its Saudi Product Safety Programme, known as SALEEM (an Arabic term signifying that a product is safe and free of defects that could harm people, society, or the environment). Under SALEEM, products entering or manufactured in the Kingdom are classified by risk level — regulated (medium/high-risk) or non-regulated (low-risk) — and SABER is the single interface through which conformity is proven for both categories. Since its rollout, SASO reports the share of standard-conforming products in the Saudi market has climbed to over 82%, up from 58% a decade ago, reflecting how central the platform has become to market surveillance.
SABER, PCoC, and SCoC: What’s the Difference?
SABER is the platform, PCoC is the product-level certificate issued through it, and SCoC is the shipment-level certificate issued per consignment — they are three different things, not interchangeable terms. A common point of confusion for exporters is treating them as synonyms.
| Term | What It Is | Scope | Validity |
| SABER | The digital platform itself | Registration, applications, payments, all certificate types | Ongoing (not a certificate) |
| PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) | A certificate proving a product model meets SASO technical regulations | One product line/model | 1 year |
| SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) | A certificate proving a specific consignment matches an approved PCoC | One shipment | Single use |
| sDoC (Self-Declaration of Conformity) | A simplified declaration for non-regulated, low-risk products | One product line | 1 year |
Think of SABER as the airport: it’s the infrastructure everyone passes through. The PCoC is your passport (tied to you, valid for a period of time), and the SCoC is your boarding pass (issued fresh for every single trip).
The SABER Certification Process
Getting certified involves five broad stages: platform registration, product classification by HS code, selecting a SASO-approved conformity body, testing and document review, and certificate issuance — followed by a fresh SCoC application for every shipment.
Here’s how that breaks down in practice:
- Facility registration: The Saudi-based importer creates a SABER account, linking their Commercial Registration (CR) number.
- Product classification: Each product is assigned Saudi Customs’ 12-digit HS code and categorized as regulated or non-regulated.
- Conformity body selection: The importer contracts a SASO-accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) — like HQTS — to handle testing and technical review.
- Application and review: Test reports, product photos, and labeling documentation are submitted; the CAB verifies compliance against the applicable Technical Regulation.
- PCoC issuance: Once approved and fees are paid, SABER issues the Product Certificate of Conformity, typically within 3–5 working days (longer if a factory inspection is required).
- SCoC per shipment: For every subsequent shipment of that product, the importer requests a Shipment Certificate, which SABER validates against the existing PCoC before customs clearance is possible.
What Changed for SABER in 2026
Three regulatory changes matter most for SABER in 2026: a mandatory 12-digit HS code, new Product Declaration requirements for certain categories, and a tighter link between certificates and VAT compliance.
Here’s what each means in practice:
| Update | Effective Date | What It Means |
| Mandatory 12-digit HS code | January 1, 2026 | Applications using the old customs code format are rejected outright |
| Product Declaration for Appendix (1) items | June 18, 2026 | Certain product categories now need a Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIMR) declaration attached before SASO will issue an SCoC |
| ZATCA VAT linkage | Ongoing through 2026 | Import VAT is now tied directly to certificate issuance, so ZATCA (tax authority) compliance is a prerequisite for clearance |
These changes mean the technical file exporters assemble today needs to go further than it did even a year ago — a gap many overseas manufacturers still aren’t aware of.
SABER vs. the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM)
SABER and the Saudi Quality Mark are not alternatives to each other — SABER is the per-shipment certification route, while the SQM is a three-year, plant-level license that replaces the need for individual certificates.
Exporters sometimes assume they have to choose one, but they operate at different levels entirely.
SABER is the day-to-day transactional route: a PCoC and SCoC per product and per shipment, handled certificate by certificate. The Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) sits above this — it’s a three-year, plant-level license under a System 5 (ISO/IEC 17067) conformity scheme. A factory holding an active SQM has its individual PCoC and SCoC fees waived for the covered products, since the facility itself is pre-verified. SQM applications are now processed through SASO’s unified Maneh platform rather than the older Jeem1 portal.
For most exporters shipping a handful of product lines, SABER’s per-certificate route is the practical entry point. High-volume manufacturers of mandatory-SQM categories (steel rebar, cement, gas appliances, electrical accessories, and similar) often find the SQM’s cost and speed advantages worth the longer upfront audit process.
Required Documentation
To avoid delays, prepare the following before starting a SABER application:
- Valid Commercial Registration (importer) or factory business license
- HS code classification for each product
- Test reports from an accredited lab, matching the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation
- Product and label photography
- Technical files/specifications
- Factory audit records (for high-risk product categories requiring the SQM model)
SABER Certification Costs
Fees vary by product risk category and certification body, but as a general benchmark:
- PCoC: roughly 500–575 SAR per product
- SCoC: roughly 350 SAR per shipment
- Additional third-party CAB fees for testing, document review, and any required factory inspection
Because pricing depends heavily on product complexity and testing scope, getting a tailored quote from an accredited partner is the only reliable way to budget accurately.
How HQTS Simplifies Your Path to SABER Certification
Navigating HS code classification, selecting the right Technical Regulation, and keeping pace with 2026’s Product Declaration and ZATCA requirements can be operationally complex — especially for manufacturers shipping from outside Saudi Arabia.
As one of the world’s leading quality control organizations, HQTS acts as your end-to-end conformity assessment partner for the Saudi market. We provide guidance at every stage: reviewing technical files, identifying documentation gaps before submission, coordinating laboratory testing, and helping your facility move smoothly from PCoC through to SCoC issuance for every shipment.
Contact HQTS today for a free expert consultation to secure your gateway into the Saudi Arabian market.
