Saudi Arabia, UAE and the GCC: SABER and ECAS conformity
GCC customs clearance runs on certificates, not on products. This page explains the two-step SABER process, what it demands from the supplier, and how we prepare the technical file so your PCoC is issued without a second round of questions.
The SABER route in two steps
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)
Registered once per product family in the SABER platform by a Saudi importer, based on a technical file and test reports, and issued by an approved conformity assessment body. Validity is typically one year and covers a defined scope — get the product description right, because a poorly scoped PCoC cannot be reused.
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
Applied for per shipment, referencing the PCoC and the commercial invoice. Without the SCoC the consignment cannot clear Saudi customs. It is issued quickly, but only if the PCoC scope matches what is physically in the container.
What we prepare for your certification body
- Technical file: product description, drawings, dimensional data, material and coating specification, standard designation (DIN / ISO / ASTM / SASO-GSO adoption).
- Test reports: mechanical properties to ISO 898-1 / 898-2 or the applicable GSO standard, dimensional verification, coating thickness, and material certificates per heat.
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates for every shipment, with heat number traceability to the packing list.
- Consistency between documents — invoicing, packing list and certificate descriptions written identically, which is the most common cause of clearance delays.
Other GCC markets
| Market | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | SABER — PCoC + SCoC | Importer must hold a SABER account. Certification bodies include SGS, Intertek, TÜV and others |
| United Arab Emirates | ECAS registration where the product category is regulated; Emirates Quality Mark is voluntary | Confirm category treatment with your UAE registration agent — treatment has changed for several steel products |
| Others (Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) | Country-specific conformity schemes, often GSO-standard based | GSO standards adopt many ISO fastener standards, which is why DIN/ISO production converts easily |
What we cannot do
The PCoC and SCoC must be applied for by the Saudi importer or their authorised representative on the SABER platform — that step cannot be performed by a Chinese supplier. Our job is to make sure the file behind the application is complete, correct and internally consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Can you issue the SASO certificate for us?
No. SABER certificates are applied for by the Saudi importer or their representative through the platform, and issued by an approved conformity assessment body. We supply the technical file, test reports and mill certificates that support the application.
How long should we allow for SABER documents?
Allow one to three weeks for a first PCoC per product family, including test reports. Subsequent shipments only need the SCoC, which is typically issued within days once the PCoC scope matches.
Do you provide test reports against GSO standards?
Yes — GSO standards adopt most ISO fastener standards, so reports to ISO 898-1 / 898-2 / 3506 are normally accepted directly. If your certification body requires testing at a specific accredited laboratory, tell us and we will arrange it.
Need a compliance statement or document pack for your market?
Tell us the destination country and product family — we return the applicable route, required documents and lead time within 48 hours.