According to the foreign trade agency Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), importers and exporters must now apply for a Shipment Certificate through the SABER platform before they can submit a customs declaration in Saudi Arabia.
The certificate has become a mandatory prerequisite for all import clearances, regardless of whether the goods are classified as “regulated” or “unregulated” products.
“Without a certificate, no customs clearance is possible,” explains Joanna Porath, owner of the customs agency AC Porath. Companies are advised to familiarise themselves with the requirements early to avoid delivery delays.
The SABER system, operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), links importers, customs authorities and accredited testing bodies. Its aim is to enhance product safety and standardise import procedures.
Regulated and unregulated products
The Saudi conformity programme distinguishes between regulated and unregulated products.
- Regulated products – such as construction materials, paints, chemicals and certain machinery – must be certified by an accredited testing centre. Technical conformity is verified according to Saudi regulations.
- Unregulated products are considered low-risk. For these, a self-declaration certificate in SABER, accompanied by a technical product file, is sufficient.
According to GTAI, this measure is part of a broader programme to modernise market access in Saudi Arabia. It also aims to digitalise goods imports and simplify certification processes.
Impact on transport and logistics companies
For European freight forwarders and logistics providers that regularly operate to Saudi Arabia, the new rule brings additional administrative and compliance work.
Carriers must ensure that Shipment Certificates are issued before shipping or departure. Without valid SABER registration, delays are likely at the ports of Jeddah, Dammam, and King Abdullah Port.
According to Eurostat, exports from the European Union to Saudi Arabia totalled around USD 39.2 billion in 2024. The main product groups include machinery, chemicals, vehicles, food and furniture – goods often shipped by sea and now subject to the new SABER requirements.
Polish, German and Baltic logistics companies are also affected, as they regularly handle exports to Saudi Arabia via Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdańsk.
Polish exports as an example
Polish companies are among the largest European exporters of Halal poultry, ceramic products, furniture and cosmetics to the Gulf state. Under the new rules, some of these product categories are deemed regulated and require formal conformity assessment.
“For many of our clients in the food sector, SABER registration will now become an integral part of delivery planning,” says Porath. Administrative workloads may increase if certificates are not obtained on time.
ATA Carnet remains valid for trade fairs
For temporary imports – for example at trade fairs, exhibitions or demonstrations – the ATA Carnet can still be used. The customs procedure, recognised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), allows simplified, time-limited imports without additional security or customs declarations.
“With the ATA Carnet, companies save time and avoid complex customs formalities,” explains Porath. The system is particularly relevant for logistics and mechanical engineering firms exhibiting in Saudi Arabia.
Recommendations for exporters
Customs and trade experts recommend that companies review their product classifications and supply chains as early as possible. It is essential to clarify:
- whether the exported goods are considered regulated,
- whether the conformity assessment is carried out by an accredited body, and
- whether the company is already registered in the SABER system.
Without early application for the Shipment Certificate, importers risk several days of delay and additional storage costs at Saudi borders.
“The introduction of SABER certificates is a structural reform,” emphasises Porath. “In the long term, it aims to simplify import processes, but in the short term, it means more preparation for everyone involved in the supply chain.”
Background: EU–Saudi trade on a growth path
Despite growing regulation, the Saudi market remains attractive to European exporters. According to the European Commission, the EU achieved a trade surplus of €0.73 billion in the first quarter of 2025 in trade with Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom’s imports from the EU reached 52.2 billion Saudi Riyals (around €13 billion) in the first three months of the year.
The main Saudi import ports – Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam – increasingly serve as transit hubs for goods flows from Europe to the Gulf and East Africa, further highlighting the importance of logistical compliance.
