由 caicai8478 I. Certification and Compliance Issues (1-15)
Q1: Our products have already obtained CE certification. Do we still need SASO certification from Saudi Arabia?
A: Yes, they do. CE certification is an EU standard, not recognized by Saudi Arabia. All regulated products entering Saudi Arabia must obtain SASO certification or a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). It is recommended to apply 3-4 months in advance. The cost varies from $1500 to $5000 depending on the product category.
Q2: Can I use SASO certification permanently after obtaining it once?
A: No. SASO certificates are usually valid for one year and are only valid for specific models. Product design changes and changes in production sites require recertification. Renewal is required annually, and the Saudi Standards Authority may update the standards at any time.
Q3: Our cosmetics have Halal certification. Do we need any other certifications?
A: Dual certification is required. In addition to Halal certification, the following are also required:
Saudi Arabia: SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Administration) registration
UAE: DHA (Dubai Health Authority) or MOHAP (Ministry of Health) approval
All cosmetics must have a full ingredient list (in Arabic).
Q4: What certifications are needed for electronic products entering the UAE?
A: The core is ECAS certification. Specifically, there are three categories:
Telecommunications equipment: TRA (Telecommunications Authority) model approval
Household appliances: ECAS certification + energy efficiency label (1-5 stars)
Information technology equipment: ECAS certification + declaration of conformity. Average processing time is 4-8 weeks, costing $2000-$8000.
Q5: How to confirm whether a certification body is accredited by Saudi Arabia/UAE?
A: Check through official channels:
Saudi Arabia: SASO official website “List of Accredited Bodies”
UAE: ESMA (Standardization and Metrology Bureau) official website. Internationally accredited bodies include: Intertek, SGS, BV, and the Middle East branches of TÜV Rheinland.
Q6: What Arabic information must be included on the product label? A: Eight Mandatory Requirements:
Product Name
Country of Origin (Made in China, must be indicated)
Manufacturer’s Name and Address
Importer’s Name and Address (Saudi Arabia/UAE)
Ingredients or Material List
Instructions for Use and Safety Warnings
Production Date and Expiry Date
Storage Conditions Font height must not be less than 1.2mm.
Q7: What special considerations are needed for toy products?
A: High-risk categories, strictly regulated:
Saudi Arabia: SASO 1995 standard, mandatory third-party testing
UAE: UAE.S 5029 standard
Must pass chemical testing (heavy metals, phthalates)
Small parts warning label (Arabic + English)
Age rating must be clearly stated.
Q8: Special requirements for food products? A: Religious + Security Dual Review:
Halal certification is a prerequisite (slaughter goods require Shariah law supervision)
Saudi Arabia: SFDA pre-approval, each batch requires a health certificate
UAE: MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment) registration
Shelf life must be at least 70% remaining for import to be permitted
Additive restrictions are stricter than in China
Q9: What is the entry process for pharmaceuticals and medical devices?
A: Extremely high barriers to entry, local partners recommended:
Saudi Arabia: SFDA registration, processing time 9-18 months
UAE: MOHAP approval, processing time 6-12 months
A local authorized representative must be designated
Each batch requires an inspection and release certificate
It is recommended to handle through local distributors to avoid direct imports
Q10: Compliance points for textiles and clothing?
A: Focus on ingredients and labeling:
Fiber composition must be labeled (in Arabic)
Washing labels must comply with ISO standards
Children’s pajamas require fire resistance testing
Must not contain prohibited azo dyes
Size labeling must use both international and local sizes
Q11: Certification requirements for automotive parts? A: SASO Mandatory Certification Scope:
Tires, batteries, brake pads, filters, and other safety-related components
Must comply with GCC standards and bear the GCC mark
Packaging must indicate the production date and batch number
Severe penalties for counterfeit parts (maximum imprisonment + hefty fines)
Q12: Which products are completely prohibited from import into Saudi Arabia?
A: Commonly prohibited items include:
Pork and pork products
Alcoholic beverages
Drugs and related equipment
Gambling equipment
Pornographic or Islamic items
Used auto parts (certain types)
Some medical equipment (e.g., used dialysis machines)
Q13: What are the special policies in the UAE’s free zones?
A: Key advantages:
100% foreign ownership
Duty-free import and re-export
Corporate tax exemption period is usually 15-50 years
Duty payments can be deferred until goods leave the free zone
However, all compliance procedures must still be completed before entering the UAE domestic market.
Q14: Do samples need certification? A: Handling depends on the situation:
Commercial samples (for testing, exhibition): Require a temporary import license, certification is exempt but detailed descriptions are required.
Sales samples: Treated as commercial goods, full certification is required.
Recommendation: Declare sample value below $1000, specify “Commercial Sample – Not for Resale”.
Q15: How to quickly verify if a product requires certification?
A: Use official tools:
Saudi Arabia: SABER system product classification lookup
UAE: ECAS product catalog
Simple rule: If the product involves safety, health, or the environment, certification is generally required.
II. Document and Declaration Issues (16-25)
Q16: What are the common errors in commercial invoices?
A: Five fatal errors:
Vague product description (e.g., “electronics” should be changed to “smartphone, model XYZ”)
Model number does not match the actual product
Declared value is significantly lower (30% below market price triggers review)
Lack of complete information for both buyer and seller
Not using both English and Arabic
Q17: Does the certificate of origin require embassy certification? A: Yes, dual certification is required:
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) certification
Saudi Arabian Embassy in China or UAE Embassy in China certification
Certification period: 5-10 working days
Validity: Usually 6 months
Note: The certification process differs slightly in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Q18: How to correct errors in bill of lading information?
A: Timely processing, tiered fees:
48 hours before departure: Free or small fee
After departure but before arrival: $50-$200
After arrival: $300-$800 + possible delays
Corrections must be completed before customs declaration at the port of destination.
Recommendation: Final confirmation of the bill of lading 24 hours before shipment.
Q19: Consequences of incorrect HS code selection?
A: Serious Consequences:
Incorrect tariff calculation (supplementary tax + fine)
Incompatibility with certification requirements (goods detained)
Customs clearance delay of 3-10 days
Recommendation: Use a professional customs broker and purchase coded liability insurance.
Q20: How to avoid value declaration problems?
A: Four-step method:
Refer to the selling price of similar products on Amazon.sa or Noon.com
Declare at 60-70% of the selling price (reasonable wholesale price)
Keep raw material purchase invoices as supporting evidence
Declare high-value goods (single item over $1000) separately and in detail.
Q21: Will customs accept inconsistent documents if the content is true?
A: No. Middle Eastern customs adopts a “strict consistency principle.” Any inconsistency may result in:
Document return for modification
Goods detention investigation
Fine $500-$5000. Key checkpoints: Model, quantity, weight, and value must be completely consistent.
Q22: How long does it take to reissue documents? A: Timeframe is tight:
China Reopening Documents: 2-3 business days
Embassy Re-certification: 5-7 business days (expedited service available)
International Express: 3-5 days
Recommendation: Send one original document with the shipment; send an electronic version to the agent in advance.
Q23: Can electronic documents replace paper documents?
A: Partially yes, but with limitations:
UAE: Accepts some electronic documents (through the Dubai Trade platform)
Saudi Arabia: Original documents are still the mainstream; electronic versions are only for preliminary review.
Required original documents: Certificate of Origin, Insurance Policy, certain certification certificates
Trend: The Saudi Arabian SABER system is moving towards paperless processing.
Q24: Must document translation be done by a local agency?
A: Strongly recommended. Local translation agencies:
Familiar with industry terminology
Understand customs preferences
Can provide qualification certificates
Average cost: $30-$80/page Non-professional translations such as Google Translate are not accepted.
Q25: How to establish a document self-checking system? A: Recommended Checklist:
3C Verification: Consistency, Completeness, Correctness
Four-Eyes Principle: At least two people should independently inspect the goods.
Version Control: The final version should be dated and dated.
Digital Backup: Scanned documents should be stored in the cloud with access permissions set.
III. Customs Clearance and Inspection Issues (26-35)
Q26: What should I do immediately after my goods are detained?
A: Emergency Four-Step Method:
Immediately Contact: Contact your local customs clearance agent to obtain official customs notification (stating the detention reason number).
Information Gathering: Reason for detention, estimated processing time, daily storage fees.
Document Preparation: Prepare appeal documents based on the reason.
Decision Assessment: Cost vs. value of goods; decide on a solution within 48 hours.
Q27: What does customs usually check during inspections? A: Saudi Arabia and Dubai have different focuses:
Saudi Arabia focuses on:
Authenticity of certification documents
Product consistency with samples
Compliance with Islamic teachings
Label compliance
Dubai focuses on:
Intellectual property (counterfeit goods)
Authenticity of declared value
Compliance with safety standards
Hazardous goods compliance
Q28: What is the approximate inspection rate?
A: It depends on the product and shipper’s records:
New shippers: Saudi Arabia 50%+, Dubai 30%+
Regular shippers: Saudi Arabia 20-30%, Dubai 10-20%
High-risk products: Electronics, cosmetics, toys up to 80%
Low-risk products: Industrial raw materials, well-known brand regular products below 10%
Q29: How to reduce the inspection rate?
A: Establish AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) reputation:
100% compliance for the first 10 shipments, establishing a good record
Use a reputable local customs clearance agent
Participate in customs compliance programs (such as Trusted Trader in Dubai)
Maintain consistent declarations. A good record can reduce the inspection rate to below 5%.
Q30: Who bears the inspection costs?
A: It depends on the situation:
Routine inspection: Customs bears the cost.
Inspection triggered by document issues: Consignor bears the cost ($200-$800)
Laboratory testing costs: Consignor bears the cost ($500-$3000)
Storage fees: Calculated from the 3rd day of detention, $50-$200/day
Q31: What happens if the inspection fails?
A: Four-level response plan:
Minor issues: Document errors, correct within 72 hours.
Moderate issues: Label non-compliance, rectify within the warehouse (within 7 days).
Serious issues: Missing certification, return or destruction.
Violation issues: Prohibited goods, counterfeit goods, confiscation + fine.
Q32: Can I apply for expedited inspection?
A: In some cases:
UAE: Pay an expedited fee of $300-$500 (apply through an agent)
Saudi Arabia: Expedited processing is usually not allowed, but can be coordinated through a connected agent.
Applicable situations: Fresh food, medical supplies, exhibition goods
Prerequisite: Documents must be complete and correct.
Q33: How to appeal if the customs decision is incorrect?
A: Formal appeal process:
Submit an appeal within 15 days of receiving the formal decision.
A local lawyer needs to prepare legal documents.
Submit to the Customs Appeals Committee.
The process may take 1-3 months.
Success rate: Approximately 30-40% (if there is sufficient evidence)
Q34: What happens if the matter is not processed for a long time?
A: Timeline and consequences:
Within 30 days: Storage fees accumulate, no other penalties.
30-90 days: May be considered abandoned.
Over 90 days: Customs auction, proceeds deducted from fees.
Recommendation: A solution (clearance, return, or destruction) must be decided within 30 days.
Q35: How to choose a reliable customs clearance agent? A: Six dimensions to consider:
Customs Rating (A-level preferred)
Industry Expertise (Familiarity with your product category)
Emergency Response Capability (Provide 24/7 support)
Transparent Pricing (No hidden fees)
Customer Case Studies (Require similar product case studies)
Communication Efficiency (Response time, language skills)
IV. Logistics and Transportation Questions (36-45)
Q36: Which port is stricter, Dubai or Saudi Arabia?
A: Each has its own characteristics:
Dubai Jebel Ali Port:
High efficiency, average clearance time 3-5 days
Strict intellectual property protection
Flexible free zone policies
Relatively low inspection rate
Saudi Arabia Dammam Port:
Strict inspection, average clearance time 7-10 days
SASO certification required
Strict religious censorship
Long inland transport distance
Recommendation: New brands should use Dubai first, then transship to Saudi Arabia.
Q37: Which has lower risk, FCL or LCL? A: Full Container Load (FCL) carries lower risk:
Reduces the chance of unpacking during transit
Standardized documentation, less prone to confusion
Simpler port operations
However, costs are 30-50% higher.
Less than Container Load (LCL) precautions:
Choose a reliable LCL company
Ensure no prohibited items are present in the same container
Documents must be separate and clear
Purchase sufficient insurance.
Q38: Is transport insurance mandatory?
A: Comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended:
Basic insurance: All Risks
Additional insurance: War risk, strike risk
Special insurance: Customs seizure insurance (Important!)
Insured amount: 110% of CIF value
Average premium: 0.3-0.8% of cargo value
Q39: What is the best time to ship? A: Avoid Peak Season:
Worst Time: One month before Ramadan (Port congestion +50%)
Second Worst Time: Two weeks after Eid al-Fitr
Good Time: January-March, October-November
Best Time: During Ramadan (but consignee’s working hours must be considered)
Q40: What should I pay attention to when tracking my cargo?
A: Monitoring Key Milestones:
Departure Confirmation (Obtain Bill of Lading Number)
Estimated Arrival Date (ETA)
Actual Arrival Date (ATA)
Customs Declaration Date
Inspection Notice (if any)
Release Date We recommend using the shipping company’s official app + local agent for dual tracking.
Q41: How to avoid demurrage fees?
A: Dubai and Saudi Arabia Standards:
Free Container Period: Usually 7-14 days (varies by shipping company)
Delay Fees: $10-$50/day/container (increases in tiers)
Control Methods:
Arrange pickup vehicles in advance
Prepare documents in advance
Choose a shipping company with a longer free container period
Allow a 2-3 day buffer period
Q42: Special requirements for temperature-sensitive goods?
A: Strict monitoring requirements:
Refrigerated containers must be pre-ordered
Complete temperature records must be kept throughout the shipment
Saudi Arabia requirement: Food temperature records must be accompanied by the goods
UAE requirement: Pharmaceutical temperature records require SFDA-approved equipment
Recommendation: Purchase temperature deviation insurance