SASO and SABER for Saudi Arabia: Certifying a Generator Consignment
Saudi imports require SABER registration: a Product Certificate of Conformity and a Shipment Certificate. The generator must meet the declared standard and carry the right label before the shipment certificate is issued.
Saudi Arabia clears generator imports through SABER, an online system that issues a Product Certificate of Conformity and a Shipment Certificate. The set must meet the declared standard and carry the right label before the shipment certificate is issued, or the container is not released. This note covers the two certificates and the usual rejection reasons.
SABER is the gateway
No SABER certificates means no customs release in Saudi Arabia. The system links the product type to a conformity certificate and the specific shipment to a shipment certificate, and both are checked at the border. Plan for them from the enquiry, not after the set is built.
The two certificates
The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) registers the product against the applicable standard, and the Shipment Certificate (SC) is issued per consignment once the PCoC is valid and the documents match. The SC needs the PCoC behind it, so the product certificate comes first.
| Certificate | Covers |
|---|---|
| Product Certificate of Conformity | The product type and standard |
| Shipment Certificate | The specific consignment |
What the set must show
The label must state the rated output, voltage, frequency and rating basis, and the set must meet the standard declared in the PCoC. The ISO 8528 ratings guide sets the rating basis to state, and the test report must belong to the serial number, the same rule used for SONCAP and PVoC.
Timeline
The PCoC is obtained before shipment and the SC is issued against the final commercial documents. Fees sit with the importer as part of landed cost, and the process is smoother when the supplier hands over a clean technical file early. Build the certificate time into the schedule from the start.
Common rejection reasons
- Missing or expired Product Certificate of Conformity
- Test report for a model, not the serial number
- Label that does not match the declared standard
- Late Shipment Certificate after the container has sailed
How consignments are prepared
KINBOOST supplies the rated set with the test report and label matched to the serial number, prepares the technical file for the certification body your agent names, and ships from a nearby ocean port so the SC can be issued against the final documents. The buyer's clearing agent drives the SABER application; the supplier provides the evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is SABER required for every Saudi shipment?
Yes. Both the Product Certificate of Conformity and the Shipment Certificate are required, and customs will not release the container without them.
What comes first, PCoC or SC?
The Product Certificate of Conformity comes first, registering the product against the standard. The Shipment Certificate is then issued per consignment against a valid PCoC.
Why does the serial number test report matter?
Because Saudi inspection checks the unit against its own paperwork. A model certificate does not prove your crate was tested, and that mismatch is a frequent rejection reason.
Who applies for SABER?
The importer or their clearing agent applies through the SABER system, using the technical file the supplier provides. KINBOOST prepares the rated set, the label and the test report.
How long does certification take?
It depends on the body and how complete the file is. Build it into the schedule from the start, because a late application after sailing is the most common way a shipment is rejected.