Saudi import standards and import procedures

The SAS SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARDS ORGANIAZATION has established import standards and import procedures that clarify the criteria for the identification, testing methods and inspections and testing of all imported goods, products, and metrics, scales, trademarks, goods and products.

SASO Certificate of Import Consignment Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce implemented the International Unified Certificate Procedure (ICCP) system in September 1995 to facilitate the implementation of the standards of the Saudi Arabian Standards Agency. In the initial stages of the implementation of Saudi Arabia's specification standards, Saudi Standards Bureau mainly relies on international standards to protect the interests of consumers. The SASO unified specification standard applies to all locally produced and imported products. There are SASO-approved formalities procedures, including ICCP procedures, that conform to the guidelines of the International Standards Organization. The SASO ICCP requires that each batch of Saudi Arabia’s cargo that arrives at the Saudi port must be accompanied by a uniform certificate. At present, there are still three different ways to obtain a unified certificate. These different methods vary depending on the type of product and the number of times the product is exported to Saudi Arabia. Before the issuance of a unified certificate, a unified certificate must be provided in accordance with the requirements of Saudi Arabia. Unlicensed shipments to Saudi ports of entry will be refused entry into the port. SASO has set up (Saudi) country offices around the world to issue unified certificates before the goods leave port. In addition, SASO authorizes the Regional Licensing Centers to manage registration procedures, issue unified certificates and approved SASO-style licenses. In some cases, the SASO office may also request arbitrary sampling inspections and tests.

The procedure for obtaining a uniform certificate:

• For export products that require a uniform certificate, the exporter must submit a written application for inspection testing to the SASO (Saudi Arabia) country office, with detailed shipping instructions.

• According to SASO's requirements, the Saudi country office will carry out appropriate inspection and inspection of the products. These inspection and inspection steps will be based on the existing product specifications, and check the effective period of use of the product, the number of exports (frequency) of the product. If the product is registered, the office will need to set up a sample inspection file for the product.

• If the export product is not registered, the product will be sampled and tested according to SASO requirements. If the inspection is qualified, a unified certificate will be issued. The unified certificate will be used together with other waybills as shipping documents for export products.

• If the Saudi import standard and import program product product do not meet SASO requirements, the office will give the exporter a detailed explanation of the refusal. If the exporter does not take appropriate corrective measures, it may not issue a uniform certificate and notify the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce, representatives of SASO offices and importers.

• When the goods arrive at the Saudi port, Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce officials and SASO technicians will examine the attached uniform certificate. Check the authenticity of the unified certificate and whether it is consistent with all the goods. After careful examination, if everything matches, SASO will issue a permit.