Compliance · SABER + Arabic + 15% VAT
Saudi Arabia
SABER certificate of conformity, Arabic labelling, 15% VAT and a Saudi importer of record.
Key facts
| Currency | SAR |
|---|---|
| Conformity | SABER certificate of conformity plus a shipment certificate |
| Labelling | Arabic labelling and Saudi importer details |
| VAT | 15% |
| Customs duty | Applies on the CIF value and varies by product |
| Importer | A Saudi importer of record is standard |
| Last verified | 2026-10-17 |
SABER has two certificates
SABER issues a product certificate of conformity and, for each shipment, a shipment certificate. The product certificate is the technical approval; the shipment certificate ties a specific consignment to it. A seller who has the first but not the second can still be stopped at the border.
The technical regulation behind the certificate depends on the product. SASO publishes the regulations, and they change by category. A new SKU should be checked against the current regulation before the certificate application, not after the goods are ready to ship.
Arabic labelling and the 15% tax layer
Arabic labelling is a standard requirement, and the label normally names the Saudi importer along with origin and safety information. The importer is the party that can be reached by the regulator, which is why a local partner is the usual route for a foreign seller.
VAT is 15%, one of the higher rates in the region, and customs duty is charged separately on the CIF value. The tax layer changes the landed cost materially, so a price built on the GCC average will understate Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
Is SABER the same as SASO?
SASO is the standards authority; SABER is the electronic platform that issues the conformity and shipment certificates under SASO's technical regulations.
Can a foreign seller apply for SABER directly?
The application is normally made by the Saudi importer or an authorised party. The foreign seller supplies the test evidence and product data.
Does the 15% VAT apply to low-value parcels?
VAT applies to imports under the normal rules. The value and channel determine how it is collected, not whether it applies.
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