Key takeaways
- SABER certificates are applied for by the Saudi importer, not the Indian exporter. The exporter supplies test reports, product data and photos.
- Whether a product is regulated depends on its HS code and the SASO technical regulations. Check on SABER before quoting a delivery date.
- Some electrical products also need a SASO IECEE Recognition Certificate, based on a CB test report and CB test certificate.
- In the UAE, MoIAT issues conformity certificates for products subject to technical regulations under the UAE Conformity Assessment System (ECAS).
- GCC technical regulations for low voltage equipment and toys use the Gulf conformity marking (G-Mark).
How SABER works
SABER is SASO's electronic platform within the Saudi Product Safety Program. Businesses register their establishments and consumer products, imported or made locally, and obtain the certificates each product needs. The SASO e-services list shows four steps for an importer of commercial products:
| Step | Applies to | Who issues |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Product registration | All commercial products | Importer registers on SABER |
| 2a. Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) | Products subject to a SASO technical regulation | A conformity assessment body accepted by SASO, registered on SABER |
| 2b. Self-declaration | Products not subject to a technical regulation | Importer issues on SABER |
| 3. Shipment Certificate | Each commercial shipment | Issued on SABER after review; requires product registration and a PCoC or self-declaration. SASO lists the fee as SR 350 and the time as 1–2 working days |
Products are classified by HS code. SABER's knowledge centre lists the HS codes, the technical regulations, the conformity assessment bodies accepted by SASO, and the products not subject to any technical regulation. The Indian exporter does not apply itself: the services are offered to importers, local factories, government bodies and individuals.
Technical regulations by product
SASO publishes its technical regulations by sector. Those most relevant to goods made in India include:
| Sector | SASO technical regulations (examples) |
|---|---|
| Textiles, leather and footwear | Technical Regulation of Textile Products (Issue 2); Leather Products; Footwear and their Accessories; Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing |
| Toys | Technical Regulation for Toys, adopted from the GCC Technical Regulation on Children's Toys |
| Electrical | Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances; Electromagnetic Compatibility; Limiting Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Devices; Energy Efficiency |
| Chemical and consumer | Paints (Dyes) and Varnishes; Glue and Adhesive Materials; Paper and Cardboard; Ornaments and Accessories; Food Safety in Tools and Appliances Used in Kitchen |
| Building | Building Materials Part 4 (bricks, tiles, ceramics, sanitary ware); Doors, Windows and Accessories |
We did not find a SASO technical regulation for furniture as such. Fabric, leather and coatings used in furniture may still fall under the textile, leather or paint regulations, and the HS code decides the route. Ask your Saudi importer to check each code on SABER before production starts.
IECEE certificates for electrical products
For some electrical products, SASO issues an IECEE Recognition Certificate. It confirms conformity with international safety standards based on IECEE CB Scheme documents, with Saudi national differences. SASO lists these documents for the application:
- a CB test report (CBTR) from a CB testing laboratory accepted under the IECEE scheme;
- a CB test certificate (CBTC) from a national certification body (NCB);
- reports covering national differences, such as plug conformity to SASO 2203;
- product photos, dimensions and instruction manual;
- a Saudi commercial registration whose activity matches the product, and an energy efficiency certificate and label where required.
Lamps, fans, heaters and other electrical décor made in India should be designed around the Saudi plug and voltage from the start. A CB report to the IEC standard is the usual base document.
UAE and GCC: ECAS, the Emirates Quality Mark and the G-Mark
| Scheme | Run by | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Conformity Assessment System (ECAS) | Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) | UAE Certificate of Conformity for products subject to technical regulations under MoIAT decisions. MoIAT also issues certificates for products not subject to technical regulations, and attests GSO conformity certificates |
| Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) | MoIAT | One of the national conformity marks, licensed for three years after a technical assessment |
| Gulf conformity marking (G-Mark) | GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) | Marking under GCC technical regulations, including low voltage electrical equipment (BD-142004-01) and children's toys; assessed by GSO notified bodies |
Origin marking also matters in Saudi Arabia. US government guidance for exporters, last published May 2026, says the country of origin must be shown on all imported goods in Arabic or English and must not be removable. Non-compliant shipments may be re-exported or destroyed at the importer's expense.
What Indian exporters need to prepare
- Correct HS codes agreed with the Saudi or UAE importer, because they decide the route.
- Test reports from an accredited lab against the standards named in the technical regulation, or CB documents for electrical goods.
- Product data: photos, dimensions, materials, brand and model, as the certification body asks.
- Labels and origin marking that match the certified model: brand, model, “Made in India” fixed so it cannot be removed.
- Consistency. The shipped goods must match the registered and certified product. A material or component change can mean a new certificate.
What an inspection can verify, and what needs a lab
| An inspector at the factory can check | Needs a lab or certification body |
|---|---|
| Model, materials and components match the product registered on SABER and the test reports | Tests against SASO, GSO or IEC standards |
| “Made in India” and brand and model markings are present and permanent | The PCoC, IECEE Recognition Certificate or MoIAT certificate itself |
| Plugs, voltage ratings and labels match the Saudi version of an electrical product | Chemical tests, for example on paints or textiles |
| Quantities and carton marks match the invoice used for the Shipment Certificate |
How Clear To Load checks this in India
On a pre-shipment inspection in India, we compare the goods with the photos and specifications registered by your importer, check origin marking, model labels and plugs, and count cartons against the invoice. For tests, we pull and seal samples for an accredited lab through lab testing coordination. We do not issue SABER certificates; those come from SASO-accepted bodies.
The report arrives within 24 hours with a verdict: Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared. Book an inspection.
Sources
- SABER platform: About SABER and Services (saber.sa)
- SASO technical regulations list
- SASO e-service: Shipment Certificate for Imported Products (Commercial Products)
- SASO e-service: IECEE Recognition Certificate
- MoIAT: Issue Conformity Certificates for Regulated Products (ECAS)
- MoIAT: License to use National Conformity Marks (Emirates Quality Mark)
- GSO guidance for the Gulf Technical Regulation for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (on saso.gov.sa)
- US International Trade Administration: Saudi Arabia labeling and marking requirements