The Saudi Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is a mandatory document for every shipment of products entering the kingdom. It must be shown at customs ports so that the customs authorities can clear the shipment.

The SCoC is an important verification step obligated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to ensure that all products meet the national and international quality and safety standards.

However, the SCoC was applied many years ago many beneficiaries have confusion about either its procedures and requirements or the difference between the SCoC and PCoC.

Therefore many questions about the Shipment Certificate of Conformity arise, and we will try to answer all of them in this article.

What are the steps of issuing the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)?

Applying for the SCoC is exclusively processed via Saber Electronic Platform. The importer is supposed to create an account on Saber so that they can apply for all certificates.

Applying for the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)  is by following the below steps:

• Obtaining all required certificates for the product included in the shipment first.
• Initiating an application for the shipment and defining the product category.
• Adding all invoices and data related to the product such as packing list and bill of lading.
• Determining the quantity and value of the product and the exporting country.
• Submitting the application.

What are the requirements for issuing the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)?

To apply for the SCoC some regulatory requirements are required as follows:

• Verifying the product included in the shipment.
•  Reviewing the documents attached to the application.
• Inspecting the shipment before shipping to the importing country.
• Carrying out product tests and factory audits according to the requirements of relevant technical regulations.

What is the difference between the PCoC and SCoC?

The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) are considered two different stages of the conformity assessment process maintained through the Product Conformity Assessment Program (PCA) to ensure that products displayed in the Saudi market conform to the relevant standards and technical regulations.

The main differences between PCoC and SCoC in terms of scope, objective, purpose, and validity are as follows:

Products cope:

PCoC: Locally manufactured and imported regulated products.

SCoC: All imported products to the kingdom either regulated or non-regulated.

Issuance scope:

PCoC: Issued for a specific model.

SCoC: Issued for a specific shipment.

Purpose: 

PCoC: proving that products conform to the relevant standards and can be shipped to the Kingdom.

SCoC: proving that the product included in the shipment meets all the regulatory requirements and can be cleared at customs ports.

Validity:

PCoC: Valid for one year from issuing date.

SCoC: Valid for a specific shipment and get expired once it is cleared.