Goods shipped to Saudi Arabia are mostly detained due to the absence of an SC Certificate or an invalid/missing PC Certificate. These two documents serve as mandatory clearance credentials under the Saudi SABER certification system.
The PC (Product‑of‑Conformity) Certificate acts as the identity document for commodities. It certifies that products comply with SASO standards and remains valid for one year. One valid PC certificate applies to multiple shipments of the same item.
The SC (Shipment‑of‑Conformity) Certificate works as a one‑time customs‑clearance permit for a single batch of cargo. It is only valid for one shipment and must be applied for separately for every consignment. Customs authorities will detain shipments directly without a valid SC certificate.
There is a big gap in the processing time for re‑applying for the two certificates. Re‑obtaining a PC certificate takes a long period. Applicants need to submit test reports and technical paperwork for laboratory inspection and official review. Standard processing lasts 7‑15 working days while the expedited version takes 3‑5 business days with higher costs.
An SC certificate can be renewed much faster. With an available PC certificate, bill of lading and commercial invoice, standard issuance takes 1‑2 working days, and urgent orders can be finished on the same day at a low price.
It is worth noting that under updated Saudi regulations effective from 2025, the SC certificate must be issued before cargo arrival at the port. Certificates applied for after goods dock will not be accepted.
ONTASK LOGISTICS focuses on the Saudi special line, providing customers with efficient and reliable Saudi cargo, with a focus on the Middle East region. With overseas warehouses in Jeddah and Riyadh, along with a self-managed Chinese delivery team, we empower Chinese products to go global and benefit all humanity!