Exporting to Saudi Arabia from the USA A Strategic Opportunity

In May 2025, the United States saw a remarkable $315 million positive trade balance with Saudi Arabia, exporting $1.19 billion and importing $879 million. This significant economic momentum underscores a deepening relationship and burgeoning demand for high-quality American products in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic markets. With Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative driving substantial investments in infrastructure, technology, and consumer goods, this is the perfect time for USA Manufacturers, exporters, and trading companies to seize these unprecedented opportunities. However, navigating the complicated landscape of Saudi regulations is more important than anything else to ensure smooth market entry.

In this blog, let’s delve into the essential Saudi Arabia export requirements, highlight the critical role of Saudi technical regulations, and underscore the significant risks of non-compliance.

Understanding Compliance Requirements for Exporting to Saudi Arabia from the USA

Saudi Arabia relies heavily on imports from major trade partners, most notably China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, and Germany, highlighting its strong demand for high-quality international products. The majority of imported goods are necessary for everyday living, like food, plastics, cosmetics, and much more.

So, how to export to Saudi Arabia from the USA? In order to successfully enter the Saudi Arabian market, it is necessary to understand and strictly adhere to its regulatory framework. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) are responsible for ensuring public health, environmental protection, and public safety within the Kingdom. Their core objective is to protect local markets from counterfeit goods by establishing technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Not to mention, they play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of national products, enabling them to compete effectively in both local and international markets.

When you comply with these standards, you are contributing to facilitating your Saudi Arabia customs clearance procedures, enhancing product credibility, and building trust with Saudi consumers. On the contrary, non-compliance may result in delays, penalties, or shipment rejection.

Risks of Non-Compliance and Shipment Rejection

For exporting to Saudi Arabia from the USA, it is crucial to be aware that failure to adhere to Saudi Arabia’s stringent import regulations carries significant and multifaceted risks. The comprehensive and severe nature of penalties indicates that Saudi Arabia is highly committed to enforcing its regulatory framework as a means of protecting its market, consumers, and national economy.

Let’s explore five common risks you may face if your products fail to meet compliance requirements:

1- Significant Financial Fines and Penalties: Non-compliance with Saudi Arabian laws and regulations can lead to severe legal penalties, including substantial fines.

2- Product Detention: Uncertified goods may be immediately blocked or detained at Saudi customs entry points. In such cases, products may be returned to the sender or, in more severe instances, destroyed at the importer’s expense.

3- Market Access Restrictions: Exporting non-compliant goods can result in swift removal from stores and permanent prohibition from trading within the Saudi market. As a result, suppliers may be officially flagged as unreliable and consequently blacklisted, severely hindering their future business prospects.

4- Operational Delays: Given the high level of accuracy required in import procedures, it’s common to overlook critical errors, such as incorrect HS codes, incomplete documentation, or failure to stay updated with regulatory changes. This can cause significant shipment delays, potentially extending for weeks or even months. These delays often lead to increased port storage fees and unexpected additional charges. Such operational disruptions can severely damage the supplier’s financial model, significantly increasing landed costs and eroding profit margins.

5-Reputational Damage: Beyond financial implications, non-compliance can inflict severe damage on a brand’s reputation, undermining customer trust and market standing.

Tabseer as a Local Expert in Conformity Certification

Successfully navigating the Saudi regulatory framework demands specialized knowledge and deep practical experience of local procedures. This is precisely where Tabseer distinguishes itself as your invaluable partner. We specialize in streamlining the often-complex conformity certification process, offering comprehensive services that ensure your exports meet all Saudi requirements, from initial registration to final Saudi Arabia customs clearance.

Here’s how Tabseer supports your journey:

1- SABER Registration Process: Tabseer simplifies the entire SABER registration process for you. We meticulously handle the creation of your company account on SABER, the precise registration of your products, and the accurate submission of all required technical data. Our expertise ensures a seamless and efficient pathway to compliance, saving you considerable time and effort.

2- Harmonized System (HS) Code: Tabseer’s team of experts classifies your products with the correct HS Codes. This precision ensures accurate tariff application and precise alignment with all relevant Saudi technical regulations, effectively preventing costly customs complications and streamlining your export operations.

3- Product Categorization: In Saudi Arabia, imported products are classified as either regulated or non-regulated, and identifying the correct category is essential. Misclassifying your product may result in non-compliance, delays, and extra costs. Tabseer expertly guides you through the intricate product categorization process. We accurately identify whether your goods are regulated or non-regulated, and then outline the precise certification steps required for each, ensuring you follow the correct regulatory pathway from the outset, thereby preventing misclassification-related delays.

4- Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) Issuance: The SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is mandatory for all regulated products entering Saudi Arabia. It confirms that the product meets the required Saudi technical regulations and safety standards. Tabseer efficiently manages the issuance of your Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) through the Saber platform, verifying all shipment details and ensuring that all prerequisites are met. The SCoC is shipment-specific and automatically expires once that shipment has been cleared through customs.

5- Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) Issuance: The SASO Product Certificate of Conformity (PCOC) certifies that a product meets all applicable technical regulations and SASO standards. Tabseer manages the assessment and certification process efficiently, ensuring your products remain compliant for uninterrupted market access. Unlike the shipment certificate, the PCoC is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

6- Smooth Customs Clearance Procedures: Tabseer plays a pivotal role in ensuring your shipments are accepted without undue delay. We meticulously review all your customs documentation, verifying its completeness and accuracy, and proactively address any potential issues. Our expertise ensures that your conformity documents are precisely aligned with Saudi Arabia customs regulations, facilitating a seamless and efficient clearance process that gets your products to market on time.

Why Choose Tabseer as Your Certification Partner

For American manufacturers, exporters, and trading companies looking to confidently expand into the rapidly growing Saudi Arabian market, partnering with a knowledgeable and experienced conformity certification body like Tabseer can make all the difference in getting your products certified, cleared, and ready for exportation.

By choosing Tabseer, you benefit from:

1- Deep Local Expertise: We possess an in-depth, real-time understanding of Saudi Arabia’s continuously evolving regulatory landscape and hands-on experience with the Saudi regulations and standards.

2- Efficiency and Speed: Our meticulously streamlined processes and direct access to the SABER system are designed to minimize delays, significantly accelerating your market entry.

3- Comprehensive Risk Mitigation: We proactively identify and address any potential compliance issues before they become costly problems, saving you from financial penalties, rejections, and reputational damage.

4- End-to-End Support: From precise HS code classification and detailed product categorization to efficient SCoC and PCoC issuance, we provide comprehensive, end-to-end assistance, allowing you to focus on your core business operations.

5- Trusted Partnership: As an approved Certification Body by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Tabseer offers trusted, reliable certification services recognised by Saudi authorities and global exporters alike.