Saudi Arabia is one of the largest vehicle markets in the Gulf, and one of the most demanding when it comes to compliance. Before a single car can clear customs at Jeddah, Dammam or Riyadh, it must be covered by a valid Certificate of Conformity issued through SABER, the Kingdom's online conformity platform. Importers who treat certification as an afterthought routinely see their cargo held at the port, paying storage while paperwork catches up.
This guide is for importers, dealers and fleet buyers bringing vehicles from China into Saudi Arabia. It explains the SABER/SASO certification path, the documents involved, the standards to confirm before you order, and the mistakes that cost the most time and money.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) sets the technical standards that regulated products must meet before they enter the Kingdom. Vehicles and automotive products fall inside that regulated scope. To prove compliance, the importer obtains a Certificate of Conformity through SABER, the digital platform used by SASO and approved conformity assessment bodies.
The practical consequence is simple: a vehicle without valid SABER certificates cannot be released by Saudi Customs. Certification is not a formality attached to shipping — it is the gate to clearance, and it should be started before the car is shipped.
SABER issues two different certificates, and importers confuse them at their cost:
The flow is sequential: no PCoC, no SCoC; no SCoC, no customs release. Validity periods, renewal rules and the exact technical documents required are set by the conformity body, so confirm them directly with your certification partner or the SABER platform before you place an order.
Compliance is a pre-order decision, not a shipping detail. Confirm these points with your exporter in writing:
Document sets can vary by port and by product. Verify the final list with your clearing agent before shipping, and make sure every document matches the VIN and model details on the invoice.
Saudi Arabia applies the GCC common customs tariff, which for passenger cars is commonly around 5%, plus VAT, which in Saudi Arabia has been 15%. Rates, exemptions and valuation rules can change, so confirm the current figures with Saudi Customs and ZATCA (the tax authority) or your broker before you price your stock.
Landed cost is more than duty. Build the model from FOB price plus freight, insurance, duty, VAT, port charges and inland delivery. For a full method, see our related landed-cost guide below.
Certification moves fastest when the exporter front-loads the paperwork. Ask for the model specification sheet, conformity data and a VIN list at the quotation stage, not after payment. Agree in writing who prepares the PCoC and SCoC, who pays for them, and which documents the exporter must supply. Keep a single master VIN list so every document references the same vehicle.
Shengyue Auto supports buyers with compliant export documentation, LHD specification checks and coordination with Saudi clearing partners, from quotation through to port release.
Yes. Vehicles are regulated products, and a Certificate of Conformity issued through SABER is required for customs release. Without a valid PCoC and SCoC, the shipment can be held at the port.
The PCoC registers a product or model and proves it meets the applicable standards. The SCoC is issued for each individual shipment and references the underlying PCoC. You need both.
No. Saudi Arabia drives on the right, so vehicles must be left-hand drive. Confirm the steering side before ordering.
Saudi Arabia applies the GCC common customs tariff, commonly around 5% on passenger cars, plus VAT (which has been 15%). Confirm the current rates and valuation rules with Saudi Customs or your broker.
Start product registration well before shipping so the PCoC exists, and issue the SCoC before the cargo arrives. Late certification is the most common cause of expensive port storage.
Planning to import vehicles into Saudi Arabia? Contact Shengyue Auto — we help you confirm LHD specification, prepare compliant export documents and coordinate certification before shipment. Email: shengyue4499@gmail.com | WhatsApp: +86 19121331679 | www.shengyueauto.com