What Is SABER Certification and Why Does It Matter for Footwear?
SABER is the Saudi Arabian online platform for product conformity assessment, launched in 2019 to replace the older SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) / Certificate of Inspection (COI) program. Every shipment of footwear entering Saudi Arabia must carry two electronic certificates issued through SABER: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SC). Without these, Saudi Customs will not clear the shipment, and the goods will be returned or destroyed at the exporter’s expense. For footwear manufacturers and exporters targeting the Saudi market—often estimated above USD 1 billion in recent market outlooks—understanding the SABER process is not optional; it is the legal gateway to the Kingdom’s import trade.
The SABER System: How It Replaced SASO COI
Before 2019, exporters relied on the SASO COI scheme, which required a third-party inspection agency to inspect each shipment physically before departure. The system was slow, costly, and prone to bottlenecks at ports. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) launched the SABER electronic platform to digitise and streamline the conformity assessment process. Under SABER, the product-level certification (PC) is valid for one year and can be reused for multiple shipments, while the shipment-level certificate (SC) is issued per consignment and linked to a specific commercial invoice and bill of lading.
The transition has been fully enforced since 2020. All footwear products classified under specific SASO HS codes fall under the SABER conformity program, meaning there is no grandfathering or exemption for small shipments. Whether you are exporting 500 pairs or 50,000 pairs, the same PC + SC framework applies.
Understanding the PC (Product Certificate) and SC (Shipment Certificate)
The SABER certification process for footwear involves two distinct certificates that work together:
| Certificate | Full Name | Validity | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Product Certificate) | Product Certificate of Conformity | 1 year | Confirms the product (specific footwear model/HS code) meets SASO standards. Requires test reports from an accredited lab and, in some cases, a factory audit. |
| SC (Shipment Certificate) | Shipment Certificate of Conformity | Single shipment | Confirms a specific shipment matches the approved PC. Issued per consignment against the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. |
The typical workflow is: (1) the manufacturer submits test reports and technical documentation to a SASO-recognised Conformity Assessment Body (CAB); (2) the CAB reviews the documents and, if required, conducts a factory audit; (3) upon approval, the PC is issued and uploaded to SABER; (4) for each shipment, the exporter applies for an SC through SABER by linking it to the active PC and submitting shipment documents; (5) the SC is issued electronically, typically within 24-48 hours, and Saudi Customs validates it automatically at the border.
Factory Audit Requirements: The Three-Year Rule
One of the most critical—and frequently misunderstood—aspects of SABER certification for footwear is the factory audit requirement. SASO requires a physical factory audit for footwear products when the manufacturing facility has been in operation for less than three years. This rule was introduced to ensure that newer factories meet baseline quality management standards before they can export to Saudi Arabia.
For established manufacturers like JIJIA.GZ, which has been operating in Guangzhou since 2000, the factory audit requirement is typically waived because the facility exceeds the three-year threshold and maintains ISO 9001 certification. However, exporters should confirm the current audit status with their CAB, as SASO periodically updates its list of products requiring mandatory audits regardless of factory age.
The factory audit, when required, evaluates the following:
- Quality management system (ISO 9001 or equivalent documentation)
- Production line capacity and process consistency
- Raw material traceability and storage conditions
- Finished product testing facilities and records
- In-process quality control checkpoints
- Non-conformance management and corrective action records
Audit costs typically range from USD 1,500 to USD 3,500 depending on the CAB and factory location, with the audit report valid for the duration of the PC (one year). If the factory fails the audit, corrective actions must be implemented and a re-audit scheduled, which can delay the certification timeline by 4-8 weeks.
SASO Standards for Footwear: What Products Must Meet
Saudi Arabia adopts and adapts international standards (ISO, EN) through its own SASO standards. Footwear products are subject to several specific SASO standards that address safety, chemical limits, and labelling requirements. The most relevant standards for footwear exporters include:
- SASO ISO 19952:2020 — Footwear vocabulary, defining terminology used in classification
- SASO ISO 17708:2021 — Test method for whole shoe upper-sole adhesion (critical for sole bonding integrity)
- SASO ISO 14387:2021 — Specifications for footwear safety components (where applicable)
- SASO 2663 — Restricted substances in footwear, setting limits on formaldehyde, azo dyes, and heavy metals
- SASO labelling requirements — Arabic language labelling mandatory; size, material composition, country of origin, and care instructions must be clearly marked
Test reports submitted for the PC must come from a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and recognised by SASO or the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC). Reports from non-accredited labs will be rejected. Common test failures in footwear include formaldehyde exceeding 75 ppm (Class II, skin contact) and azo dye detection above 30 mg/kg—both of which are immediately disqualifying.
GCC Common External Tariff and Saudi Market Size
Saudi Arabia applies the GCC Common External Tariff (CET) of 5% on most imported goods, including footwear. This is relatively moderate compared to US footwear import duties (12.5-37.5%) or Brazil’s Mercosur rates. However, the 5% duty applies only to goods that clear SABER certification; shipments without valid PC and SC certificates face rejection at customs, not merely a penalty.
The Saudi footwear market was valued at more than USD 1 billion in recent industry estimates, driven by a large and youthful consumer base, high disposable income, and a growing e-commerce sector. Riyadh alone has recorded a large and growing set of e-commerce registrations as of 2026, making it one of the largest e-commerce hubs in the GCC. This creates a dual-channel opportunity for footwear exporters: traditional retail distribution through importers and distributors, and direct-to-market e-commerce partnerships.
Customs Clearance at Jeddah and Dammam Ports
Footwear shipments to Saudi Arabia typically enter through two main ports:
- King Abdullah Port / Jeddah Islamic Port (Red Sea, west coast) — Handles the majority of imports from China and Southeast Asia. Jeddah is the primary entry point for footwear consignments, with dedicated container terminals and bonded warehousing.
- King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Arabian Gulf, east coast) — Preferred for shipments destined for the Eastern Province and the wider GCC market. Dammam is particularly relevant for exporters using the GCC overland corridor to Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Clearance times at both ports average 2-4 days when SABER documentation is complete and pre-validated. Incomplete documentation or SC discrepancies can extend clearance to 10-14 days and incur demurrage charges of USD 50-150 per container per day. Exporters should ensure the SC is issued before the vessel arrives at port to avoid these costs.
Fayfa Customs (the Saudi e-clearance system) automatically cross-references the SC against the commercial invoice and bill of lading. Any mismatch in quantity, value, or product description between the SC and the actual shipment will trigger a customs hold. Accuracy in documentation is therefore not a best practice—it is a requirement for release.