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SCoC Certificate

The Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is an official document required when exporting regulated products to Saudi Arabia.

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Key takeaways

The SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) is a mandatory, per-shipment document for exporting regulated products to Saudi Arabia.
It is issued electronically through the SABER platform and confirms that goods meet Saudi safety, quality and technical standards.
For regulated products, a valid Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) must be in place before an SCoC can be issued.
The SCoC is required for customs clearance; without it, shipments face delays, storage costs and rejection risk.
It is valid for a single shipment only, expires after customs clearance, and cannot be reused or transferred.
The certificate is verified automatically by Saudi Customs through FASAH integration at the port.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) governs the conformity system behind SABER.

Overview

What is an SCoC Certificate?

The Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is an official document required when exporting regulated products to Saudi Arabia. Issued per shipment through the SABER platform, it confirms that the goods being transported conform to Saudi regulations and standards before they reach customs.

Consider a common scenario. An exporter of low-voltage switchgear dispatches a consignment to Dammam that is already sold, partly paid for, and booked against fixed delivery dates. At Saudi customs the shipment is held, not for a quality fault, but for missing documentation, specifically the SCoC. Weeks pass in port storage, demurrage charges mount, and the buyer starts to question the exporter’s reliability. The exporter had assumed that ISO compliance was enough. It is a common misconception: the SCoC is a mandatory document under the Saudi conformity system, and no amount of other certification replaces it.

In practice, the SCoC acts as the guarantee that clears customs, because it confirms three things: the product matches Saudi regulatory requirements, the shipment has been verified by an approved conformity body, and the goods are safe for import and distribution in the Saudi market. It is typically issued only after a valid Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is already in place.

Why it matters

Why the SCoC is critical for exporters

Saudi Arabia enforces strict product-compliance rules through its regulatory body to keep low-quality or hazardous products out of the market. Because of this, the SCoC is not an optional formality. For exporters, ignoring SCoC requirements is not merely a documentation gap, it is a direct business risk that can stall shipments and damage buyer relationships.

Why the SCoC is mandatory

A mandatory document for customs clearance of regulated goods.
Confirms that products comply with Saudi regulations and technical standards.
Prevents the risk of shipments being rejected or re-exported.
Builds buyer confidence and regulatory transparency.

How it supports Saudi market access

Faster customs clearance by reducing document verification time.
Fewer inspection delays, as products are pre-verified for compliance.
Higher shipment acceptance rate due to reduced non-compliance risk.
Improved importer trust, leading to stronger business relationships.

Who it applies to

Who needs an SCoC Certificate?

The Shipment Certificate of Conformity is required for every consignment bound for Saudi Arabia through the SABER platform, whether the products are regulated or unregulated. Three parties play a role in obtaining it.

Importers to Saudi Arabia

The primary party responsible for applying for the SCoC. Importers must secure the certificate before the shipment arrives at Saudi ports, as it is required to clear goods through the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.

Exporters shipping to Saudi Arabia

Accountable for supplying correct documentation to importers, ensuring products meet Saudi technical requirements, and helping obtain the PCoC before shipping regulated goods.

Freight forwarders and logistics providers

They do not issue the SCoC directly, but are heavily involved in the process, making sure the shipment documentation matches the SABER records.

Paperwork

Documents required for SCoC

To obtain SCoC clearance in the SABER system, the following documents are typically required.

Commercial invoice with full details of the goods.
Packing list covering the shipment packaging.
Bill of lading or air waybill as the transport document.
Product HS code for customs classification.
Batch or serial number for product traceability.
Certificate of origin, where required under the regulation.
Test reports, in the case of technical regulation.
PCoC reference number, required for regulated products.

How it works

Step-by-step SCoC registration on SABER

The SCoC application process is fully digital and managed through the SABER platform. The steps run in sequence from login to customs clearance.

Log in to the SABER platform
The importer logs into the SABER account and opens the shipment certification module.
Select the shipment request module
Create a new shipment application and choose the SCoC request option.
Enter product classification
Add the HS code and product category, and identify whether the product is regulated or non-regulated.
Upload shipment documents
Attach the invoice, packing list and shipping documents, making sure the data matches the shipment details exactly.
Add product details
Enter the quantity of goods, the country of origin, and the declared value and product specifications.
Submit for conformity review
The application is reviewed by a conformity assessment body, with technical verification performed where required.
Approval and issuance
Once approved, the SCoC is generated electronically and linked to the shipment ID in SABER.
Customs clearance integration
The SCoC is verified automatically by the Saudi Customs system through FASAH integration, and the shipment is cleared for entry if compliant. Any mismatch can result in delay or rejection.

Scope

Products covered under the SCoC Certificate

The SCoC is not applied universally to every export. It is restricted to regulated product categories that fall under Saudi Arabia’s technical regulations, ensuring imported goods meet safety, performance and quality standards before entering the Saudi market.

Electrical and electronic products

One of the most strictly regulated categories, covering switches, sockets and wiring devices, home electronics such as TVs, chargers and adapters, industrial electrical equipment, and lighting products including LEDs, lamps and fixtures.

Automotive components and spare parts

Both OEM and aftermarket parts, including brake systems and pads, air, oil and fuel filters, batteries, engine components, and tyres and wheels. Checks focus on road safety, material durability and compatibility with Saudi vehicle regulations.

Construction materials

Heavily regulated for infrastructure quality, covering cement and concrete products, steel and reinforcement bars, tiles, ceramics and marble, and adhesives and sealants.

Household appliances

Common retail imports such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and kitchen appliances, assessed for energy efficiency, electrical safety and product durability.

Industrial machinery

Manufacturing equipment, packaging machines, heavy-duty mechanical systems and hydraulic and pneumatic machines, evaluated for machine safety, operational stability and technical specification matching.

Benefits

Key benefits of the SCoC Certificate

Generated through the SABER platform under SASO regulation, the SCoC has a direct, positive impact on the import process into Saudi Arabia.

Faster customs clearance

Because goods are verified before arrival, Saudi customs can clear them more quickly once they reach port.

Regulatory compliance

Guarantees that the imported goods satisfy the relevant Saudi regulations.

Rejection prevention

Decreases the risk of goods being held or rejected at the border.

Product traceability

Links each shipment to verified documentation, improving tracking and audit readiness.

Alignment with Vision 2030

Supports Saudi Arabia’s import-safety goals around product safety, quality control and market transparency.

Validity

Validity, expiry and common challenges

Rule	Explanation
Valid only for a single shipment	The SCoC is issued for one specific consignment and is linked to a particular shipment. It cannot be applied to multiple or future shipments.
Automatically expires after customs clearance	Once the shipment is cleared by Saudi Customs through the SABER platform, the SCoC becomes inactive and is no longer valid.
Cannot be reused or transferred	The certificate is strictly non-transferable. It cannot be reused for another shipment, even if the product details remain the same.

Common challenges in SCoC approval

Despite a structured process, SCoC issuance can face delays or rejection due to compliance gaps within the SABER workflow.

Missing PCoC before shipment. For regulated goods, the absence of a valid Product Certificate of Conformity leads to automatic rejection of the SCoC application.
Incorrect HS codes. Wrong product classification can trigger a compliance mismatch and delay approval.
Incomplete invoice data. Missing or inconsistent commercial-invoice details create verification issues during review.
Product mismatch between documents and shipment. Differences between the declared and the actual goods can raise non-compliance flags.
Delayed submission in SABER. A late application can cause clearance delays at customs or a shipment hold at port.

Why choose us

Why exporters choose Diligence Certifications

Choosing the right compliance partner minimises risk during customs clearance, documentation and regulatory approval for Saudi imports through the SABER platform. Our team manages SCoC and PCoC certification end to end, handling every detail in line with SASO requirements.

Comprehensive documentation so every file the SCoC process needs, from the invoice and packing list to HS codes, is prepared to SABER requirements.
Lower compliance risk, minimising rejection from data mismatch, wrong classification or missing certificates.
A more efficient process, with careful application handling that reduces delays in approval and customs clearance.
SASO and SABER expertise, applying in-depth knowledge of Saudi technical requirements for consistent approvals.
Coordinated PCoC and SCoC handling across both product and shipment certification.
Less burden on your team, taking the pressure of compliance management off exporters and importers.

Because the SCoC and PCoC together certify both the shipment and the products under the SASO system, correct documentation and classification are essential for trading with Saudi partners. Talk to our compliance team to map the exact steps for your next consignment.

Shipping to Saudi Arabia soon?

Tell us about your products, HS codes and target ports, and we will map the PCoC and SCoC steps, documentation and SABER filing your shipment needs.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is an SCoC certificate in Saudi Arabia?

The SCoC, or Shipment Certificate of Conformity, is a document generated electronically through the SABER system that confirms a particular shipment conforms to Saudi Arabia’s technical regulations.

Who issues the SCoC certificate?

The SCoC is generated through the SABER platform after verification by an approved conformity assessment body under the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. It is not issued manually outside the system.

Is the SCoC mandatory for all shipments?

Yes. The SCoC is mandatory for all shipments entering Saudi Arabia, whether the products are regulated or non-regulated. Regulated products additionally require a valid PCoC before the SCoC can be issued.

What is the difference between PCoC and SCoC?

The PCoC verifies the product during its design and manufacture and is valid for one year, while the SCoC verifies a specific shipment. Both are part of SASO’s Saudi compliance programme.

Which documents are required for the SCoC?

Key documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, HS code information, country of origin, batch or serial number, test reports where applicable, and the PCoC reference number for regulated goods.

How long is the SCoC valid?

The SCoC is valid for a single shipment only. Once the shipment is cleared by Saudi Customs, the certificate expires and cannot be reused.

Can an SCoC be issued without a PCoC?

No. For regulated products, a valid PCoC is mandatory before applying for an SCoC. Without a PCoC, the SCoC application is rejected in SABER.

What causes delays in SCoC approval?

Common causes include incorrect HS codes, missing documentation, late uploading of documents in SABER, and inconsistencies between the declarations and the shipment documents.

What happens if the SCoC is not issued before the shipment arrives at a Saudi port?

Without an SCoC in place before arrival, the shipment risks delay or rejection at Saudi ports and can incur storage costs.

Why is obtaining the SCoC important for Saudi imports?

Obtaining the SCoC is essential because it confirms that imported products comply with Saudi safety and technical requirements, enabling smooth customs clearance.

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