SABER Registration Guide for LED Lighting Importers: Saudi Arabia's Mandatory Certification

SABER is Saudi Arabia’s mandatory electronic platform for product conformity certification. Every shipment of LED lighting entering Saudi Arabia must have a valid SABER certificate — without it, customs will reject the shipment at the port.

This guide walks importers through the complete SABER registration process, from product testing to shipment certification, with specific focus on LED commercial lighting products.

What is SABER?

SABER (Saudo Arabian Business Electronic Repository) is the online certification platform operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). It replaced the old SASO CoC paper-based system in 2019 and is now the sole legal pathway for product conformity assessment.

SABER issues two types of certificates:

PCoC is obtained first (valid for 1 year, per product model), then SCoC is obtained per shipment against an existing PCoC.

Why SABER Matters for LED Lighting

LED lighting products fall under SASO 2902 — the Saudi technical regulation for lighting products. Under this standard, all LED luminaires require:

1. Energy efficiency compliance — minimum luminous efficacy requirements per product category
2. Safety compliance — IEC 60598-1 and IEC 62471 (photobiological safety)
3. EMC compliance — electromagnetic compatibility per SASO standards
4. Arabic labeling — product packaging must include Arabic language information

Products without valid SABER certification face customs detention, fines, and re-exportation at the importer’s expense.

Step-by-Step SABER Registration Process

Step 1: Product Testing (Pre-SABER)

Before applying on SABER, your LED products must pass testing at a SASO-recognized laboratory:

• Test standards: IEC 60598-1 (safety), IEC 62471 (photobiological safety), SASO 2902 (energy efficiency)
• Recognized labs: Intertek, SGS, TUV, Bureau Veritas (must be SASO-approved)
• Test items: luminous flux, luminous efficacy, color rendering index (CRI), color temperature, IP rating, dielectric strength, photobiological safety

Step 2: Create SABER Account

1. Go to saber.sa
2. Register as an “Importer” or “Manufacturer”
3. Provide: commercial registration (CR), VAT certificate, company contact details
4. Account activation typically takes 1-2 business days

Step 3: Apply for PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity)

1. Log into SABER and select “Request a Product Certificate”
2. Select product category: Lighting > LED Luminaires
3. Upload required documents (see below)
4. Select a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) — e.g., Intertek, SGS, TUV
5. CAB reviews documents and test reports
6. If approved, PCoC is issued electronically

PCoC processing time: 3-7 working days after complete document submission.

Step 4: Apply for SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity)

Once you have a PCoC and are ready to ship:

1. Log into SABER and select “Request a Shipment Certificate”
2. Link the shipment to the existing PCoC
3. Upload: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading (B/L)
4. CAB verifies shipment details against PCoC
5. SCoC is issued electronically

SCoC processing time: 1-3 working days after B/L availability.

Step 5: Customs Clearance

Present the SCoC at Saudi customs along with:

• Commercial invoice (attested)
• Certificate of Origin (CoO)
• Packing list
• B/L
• SCoC (electronic copy is acceptable)

Required Documents for SABER PCoC

Common SABER Rejection Reasons

SABER Costs Overview

Note: Actual costs vary by CAB, product complexity, and number of models.

How Yakeen Lighting Supports SABER Registration

Yakeen Lighting provides full SABER compliance support for Middle East importers:

1. Pre-compliance testing coordination — we ensure products meet SASO 2902 requirements before you spend on testing
2. Test report provision — all our LED products have valid test reports from SASO-recognized labs
3. Document preparation — we prepare and provide all required PCoC documents (datasheets, photos, ISO certificates, authorization letters)
4. Model number alignment — we ensure model numbers are consistent across test reports, invoices, and SABER submissions
5. Arabic labeling compliance — our packaging includes SASO-compliant Arabic labeling

Our SABER support covers: LED downlights, spotlights, panel lights, track lights, high bay lights, flood lights, solar street lights, and linear lights.

SABER vs G-Mark: What’s the Difference?

Many Saudi importers obtain both SABER (mandatory for Saudi customs) and G-Mark (for broader GCC market access).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is a SABER PCoC valid? A: 1 year from the date of issue. You must renew before expiry to continue shipping the same product model.

Q: Can I use one PCoC for multiple shipments? A: Yes. One PCoC covers unlimited shipments of the same product model within its 1-year validity period. Each shipment requires its own SCoC.

Q: Can I use a test report from a non-SASO lab? A: No. Only test reports from SASO-recognized laboratories are accepted. Common recognized labs include Intertek, SGS, TUV, and Bureau Veritas.

Q: What happens if customs rejects my shipment? A: The shipment will be held at port. You will need to obtain SABER certification retroactively or the goods will be re-exported at your expense. This can take 2-4 weeks and incur significant storage fees.

Q: Does Yakeen Lighting provide SABER support for custom OEM products? A: Yes. For OEM/ODM orders, we coordinate testing, provide all technical documentation, and support the entire SABER registration process. Contact us for OEM SABER support.

Next Steps

If you are importing LED lighting into Saudi Arabia:

1. Confirm your product models meet SASO 2902 energy efficiency minimums
2. Request test reports from your supplier (or contact Yakeen Lighting for pre-validated products)
3. Register on SABER at saber.sa
4. Apply for PCoC with complete documentation
5. Apply for SCoC once your shipment is ready

For SABER-compliant LED lighting products with full documentation support, contact Yakeen Lighting or browse our certified product catalog.