How to export goods to Saudi Arabia in 2023
Are you looking to export your products to Saudi Arabia, one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the Middle East?
Then it's crucial to be aware of the Certificate of Conformity programme, a key component of the country's product safety programme. Regulated products must conform to the applicable technical regulations and standards and be accompanied by a Product Certification of Conformity and a Shipment Certification of Conformity - which you can get through one of the SASO certificate providers in India.
In this blog article, we'll give you a comprehensive introduction to the programme and guide you through the necessary steps for importing regulated products.
An introduction to the nation's Certificate of Conformity programme
The Certificate of Conformity programme is a key component of the Saudi Arabian government's effort to protect its citizens and the environment by regulating certain imported goods. The whole programme is governed by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
Overall, the conformity programme requires that regulated products, categorised as either high or medium risk, must conform to the nation's applicable technical regulations and standards in order to enter the Saudi market.
Therefore, every single regulated product must be accompanied by a Product Certification of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certification of Conformity (SCoC) for each shipment. And these certifications are only issued once the products meet the applicable standards and technical regulations of their product category and are undertaken conformity activities by a SASO- approved conformity assessment body.
The purpose and significance of the programme
The programme is linked to the Saudi Product Safety programme known as SALEEM, which aims to ensure that all products sold in Saudi Arabia are safe and of good quality. This programme has several objectives, including:
- Preventing unsafe and non-compliant products from entering the Saudi market.
- Reducing the number of counterfeit consumer goods available in the market.
- Ensuring a smooth and hassle-free clearance process at Saudi customs.
A list of the products that require the Certificate of Conformity
In Saudi Arabia, the products that require the Certificate are classified as "Regulated Products" in the Technical Regulations. Some of the product categories that fall under this category include Textile, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics Products, Construction and Building Materials, and Chemicals.
General application process
It's worth noting that the process for obtaining a CoC in Saudi Arabia may differ depending on the level of risk associated with the product. Below are general steps that are typically involved in the application process:
- Apply for certification in the SABER system by providing all the required details about the product and materials and selecting the product classification.
- You will need to ask a third party inspection company in India approved by SASO to conduct a conformity assessment of your product.
- The assessment body will get in touch with you to arrange the conformity assessment activities.
- If the product conforms to the applicable regulations and standards, a Product Certification of Conformity will be issued.
- Provide the shipment and invoice details in the system.
- If every product meets the relevant technical standards and requirements, the conformity assessment body will issue a Shipment Certificate of Conformity.
The length of the entire process can vary and may take more than a month, depending on the product category and the SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body you select.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is a rapidly growing market and one of the largest in the Middle East. However, for companies looking to export their products to Saudi Arabia, it's essential to be aware of the country's product safety programme. In this article, we've outlined the necessary steps for importing regulated products into Saudi Arabia, and we hope you found it useful!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Transport & Logistics News.
