When shipping electricals to Saudi Arabia, it is important that your products meet the requirements of the SASO Certificate of Conformity programme. This ensures your shipment is able to clear Saudi customs smoothly and entry is granted.
To help we asked Martin Churches, SASO Technical Manager to recap on the process and what’s required:
Product Markings:
When shipping electricals to Saudi all products must have a durable marking label/plate showing the following information in either Arabic or English language (except for any warnings/safety instructions which must be in Arabic language):
1.) Product Description/Name
2.) Manufacturer’s Name/Trademark
3.) Model Number/Type Reference
4.) Voltage
The accepted voltages for electrical products operating on the mains supply in Saudi Arabia are as follows:
- 220V or 230V for Single Phase
- 380V or 400V for 3 Phase
(Appliances that work on only 127V are now banned for entry into Saudi Arabia)
5.) Frequency
The accepted frequency for electrical products operating on the mains supply in Saudi Arabia is as follows:
- 60HZ
6.) Country of Origin
All items must be marked with their Country of Origin in the following format: ‘MADE IN [FULL COUNTRY NAME]’ – Abbreviated country names such UK, CN, PRC, FR, DE etc. are not accepted as part of the Country of Origin marking. If the product is too small to bear this information, then it can be printed on its direct packaging instead.
For more information visit our Country of Origin page >>
7.) Warnings/Safety Instructions
- Must be written in Arabic language.
Other Requirements:
1.) Instruction Manual
Each product must be accompanied by an instruction manual. The language requirement of the manual varies depending on the product application within Saudi Arabia:
- Instruction Manuals for consumer products (household appliances/equipment) must be at least in both Arabic and English language.
- Instruction Manuals for industry use equipment being handled by professional technicians must in at least in Arabic or English language.
2.) Plug Type:
If a plug is supplied with your product, it must be a British type 3-pin BS 1363A/SASO 2203 plug only.
High-Risk Electrical or Electronic Products:
The following electrical products are considered to be ‘High-Risk’ items (as defined by SASO), for which only valid test reports issued by an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory can be accepted as evidence of conformity testing:
- Hair Dryers
- Water Heaters
- Domestic Heating Appliances
- Plugs, Sockets, Adapters, Extension Cords & Portable Chargers
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Depending on the applicable SASO / IEC standard of the product, there may be additional marking requirements that need to be met.
Some electrical products may require SASO Energy Efficiency testing & labelling before they can be accepted into the country. This list includes certain types of electric motors, refrigerators/freezers, washing machines, refrigerators, electric lamps and air conditioners.
More information on EER and a comprehensive list of the products affected can be found in our recent blog ‘Saudi SASO Update: SASO EER Registration for Electrical and Electronic Products’.
Finally, products and packaging must not bear any images that are considered offensive to the Islamic religion.
Our team of SASO experts make sure certificate issuance is fast and simple. For help with your Saudi shipment contact an XDS SASO Account Manager today >>
About XDS Solutions:
Every step of your export document journey managed by us. No more complex forms, no more frustrating processes, just a team of expert advisors who’ll move mountains to meet your SASO certification deadline.
We’re proud members of Institute of Export & International Trade – the UK’s only professional body representing international trade.
Listen again to our recent OpentoExport webinar ‘Stay on top of customs compliance‘. It’s packed with tips and practical advice to help businesses come up with a strategy for managing the risk associated with export compliance.
On all my dealings with XDS-Solutions, they have gone the extra mile and are now my first and only point of call. Due to bad past experiences we were rather hesitant in pursuing the African markets, XDS has now given us the confidence and support and I am proud to say that we have resumed exporting once again.
The whole experience of working with XDS Solutions has been positive. When we have an order for Saudi Arabia that we need assistance with I know now that it will be dealt with quickly and expertly. The account managers and the service from XDS is fantastic
I first approached XDS Solutions after an urgent request for SASO documentation from a Saudi Customer. I knew nothing about the documentation and was a little overwhelmed when I discovered what was required to produce them. However, the service provided by XDS was absolutely top class. They gave me every assistance I required and provided understanding to the whole process. The Documents were provided in good time and I was able to send them to Saudi Arabia quickly to allow the goods to enter the country without delay.
I have since used them on several occasions and am always dealt with promptly. The staff are proficient in their service and the quality comes through. I can’t thank them enough for their initial assistance and with everything that has followed.
As EnerSys develops its business in Nigeria, we greatly appreciate the role XDS plays. We find huge value in the tailored advice, unparalleled level of knowledge, and the flexible support at the end of the phone.
XDS has managed all our requirements for Certificates of conformity and we are very happy with the services they provide.
