Step 1: Establishing Your Saudi Trading Company
To import and sell goods in Saudi Arabia, you need a MISA-licensed Saudi entity. You cannot simply ship goods to a Saudi buyer — you need a Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) to import commercially, collect VAT, and trade legally.
What You Need to Set Up
- 1 MISA Commercial License (covering import/export activities)
- 2 Commercial Registration (CR) at Ministry of Commerce
- 3 ZATCA registration (Tax ID + VAT + Customs importer code)
- 4 SABER registration (for regulated product categories)
- 5 SFDA registration (for food, pharma, cosmetics, medical devices)
- 6 Corporate bank account + WPS setup
Typical Timeline
- MISA License3–7 days
- CR Registration3–5 days
- ZATCA/VAT Registration3–7 days
- SABER Product Registration1–4 weeks
- SFDA Product Registration2–12 months
- Bank Account1–3 weeks
- Total (without SFDA)4–8 weeks
100% foreign ownership is permitted for commercial trading companies in Saudi Arabia. No Saudi partner is required.
SABER: Product Conformity Certification
SABER is the online platform operated by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) that manages product conformity certification for goods imported into Saudi Arabia. For regulated product categories, a product CANNOT clear Saudi customs without valid SABER certificates.
Including: electronics, machinery, food products (non-SFDA), toys, construction materials, automotive parts, textiles, and many more. Check the SASO website for the complete list of regulated activities.
Two Certificates Required
Issued for a specific product model/type. Valid for 1 year. Must be obtained before the first shipment of a new product.
Issued per individual shipment. Linked to the PCoC. Generated through SABER for each import consignment.
SABER Process Overview
- 1. Register on the SABER platform as an importer/manufacturer
- 2. Identify the technical regulation(s) applicable to your product
- 3. Appoint a SASO-accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)
- 4. Submit test reports, technical files, and compliance documentation
- 5. Receive PCoC (1–4 weeks depending on product complexity)
- 6. Generate SCoC for each shipment through SABER
Failure to provide SABER certificates results in shipment holds at Saudi ports and customs clearance refusal. This is one of the most common compliance issues for new importers.
SFDA: Food, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics & Medical Devices
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is the regulator for food products, pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices. SFDA registration is separate from SABER and applies in addition to (or instead of) SABER for these categories.
| Product Category | SFDA Requirement | Typical Timeline | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food products (packaged) | Establishment + Product registration | 2–6 months | Annual |
| Pharmaceutical drugs | Drug MA (Marketing Authorization) | 6–24 months | 5 years |
| Dietary supplements | Product registration + label approval | 2–6 months | Annual |
| Cosmetics | Notification system (SFDA Cosmetics) | 1–4 weeks | Annual |
| Medical devices | Device registration (class I–IV) | 3–18 months | 5 years |
FASAH: The Saudi Customs Single Window
FASAH (فسح) is Saudi Arabia's national single-window platform for customs clearance, operated by ZATCA. It connects 30+ government entities involved in trade (SFDA, SASO, MEWA, MOH, and others) into a single digital declaration and clearance workflow.
What FASAH Does
- ✓ Single submission point for all import/export declarations
- ✓ Automated routing to relevant government approvals (SFDA, SASO, etc.)
- ✓ Real-time tracking of shipment clearance status
- ✓ Duty calculation and payment integration
- ✓ Direct interface with Saudi ports (Jeddah, Dammam, KAEC)
- ✓ e-Certificates of Origin for export documentation
Getting Started with FASAH
- 1. Register your company with ZATCA as an importer/exporter
- 2. Obtain your ZATCA importer code
- 3. Create a FASAH account linked to your CR and VAT number
- 4. Appoint a licensed Saudi customs broker for your first shipments
- 5. Submit import declarations and track clearance via the platform
Saudi Arabia Customs Duties
Saudi Arabia is a member of the GCC Customs Union and applies the GCC Common External Tariff (CET). The standard duty rate is 5% CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, but many categories are higher or lower.
| Product Category | Duty Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General goods (default) | 5% | GCC CET standard rate |
| Tobacco products | 100% | Excise duty also applies |
| Carbonated drinks | 50% | Excise duty on energy drinks too |
| Luxury goods, jewellery | Up to 25% | Varies by HS code |
| Vehicles & automotive | 5–15% | Depends on engine size / type |
| Food (basic staples) | 0–5% | Many basic foods are zero-rated |
| Machinery & equipment | 0–5% | Industrial inputs often zero-rated |
| GCC origin goods | 0% | Free trade area — duty-free between GCC members |
VAT of 15% applies separately to all imports, in addition to customs duties. Excise taxes apply to tobacco, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, and e-cigarettes.
Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Prohibited (Completely Banned)
- • Alcohol and any alcohol-containing beverages
- • Pork and pork-derived products
- • Narcotics and controlled substances
- • Material offensive to Islamic values
- • Counterfeit goods and pirated materials
- • Certain weapons and explosives (without special authorisation)
Restricted (Requires Special Approval)
- • Pharmaceutical drugs (SFDA registration)
- • Medical devices (SFDA registration)
- • Food products with health claims (SFDA + SASO)
- • Pesticides and agrochemicals (MEWA approval)
- • Radio/telecom equipment (CITC type approval)
- • Weapons, ammunition (MOI licence)
- • Animals and animal products (MEWA/SFDA quarantine)
Key Regulatory Bodies for Saudi Trade
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. Manages all customs declarations, duty collection, FASAH portal, and trade compliance.
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. Issues SABER conformity certificates for regulated products.
Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Regulates food, pharma, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and medical devices.
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Handles import approvals for plants, animals, agricultural inputs, and water-related products.
Communications, Space & Technology Commission. Type-approval for telecom/radio equipment, IT products, and courier services.
Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. Issues the foreign investment license required before a trading company can be registered at MoC.
Setting Up a Trading Company in Saudi Arabia?
From MISA license to SABER and SFDA registration, our team handles the full import-export setup so you can focus on your business — not bureaucracy.