Customs ClearanceCompliance & Brokerage
End-to-end customs brokerage for Saudi imports and exports — ZATCA-registered, with HS code classification, SABER certification, SFDA registration, Fasah submissions, and full documentary compliance managed by our team.
ZATCA
Registered Broker
HS Code
Classification
SABER & SFDA
Certification
24hr
Avg. Clearance
How We Handle It
Document Review
We review your commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/AWB, and certificate of origin for accuracy and ZATCA compliance before submission — catching errors before they cause holds.
HS Code Classification
Our team classifies your goods under the correct HS tariff heading to determine the accurate duty rate, VAT treatment, and any required import licences or SABER certificates.
SABER / SFDA Verification
For regulated products, we verify SABER certification status or initiate the certification process before goods arrive in-country — preventing costly port detention.
Fasah Declaration Submission
We submit the import/export declaration through the ZATCA Fasah platform, including e-invoice linkage and any supporting regulatory certificates.
Duty & VAT Settlement
Duties (typically 5% CIF) and VAT (15%) are calculated and paid. We provide a duty breakdown and formal ZATCA customs receipt for your records.
Customs Release & Delivery
On Green/Yellow track clearance, goods are released to your nominated carrier. Red track inspections are managed by our team on-site at the port or dry port.
What We Handle
In Depth
Product Conformity
SABER Certification — What It Is & How We Handle It
SABER (Saudi Product Safety Program) is Saudi Arabia's mandatory product conformity assessment platform, managed by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation). Any product listed on the SABER controlled list must hold a valid Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) before it can be cleared at Saudi customs. Attempting to import a regulated product without SABER certification results in port detention and return shipping.
- 1
Product Eligibility Check
We check your product against the SABER controlled list using the HS code to determine if certification is mandatory.
- 2
Select a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)
We identify the accredited CAB for your product category and initiate the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) application.
- 3
Technical Documentation
Test reports, product specifications, and factory information are compiled and submitted to the CAB for review.
- 4
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)
Once approved, the PCoC is issued — valid for one year and linked to your SABER profile.
- 5
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
For each individual shipment, a SCoC is generated on SABER and linked to the customs declaration. This is what customs verify at the port.
PCoC issuance takes 2–8 weeks depending on product complexity. Plan ahead — Pivot can expedite the process with our CAB network.
Health & Food Compliance
SFDA Registration & Import Permits
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates the import of food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and agricultural products into Saudi Arabia. Products in these categories require either SFDA registration or a specific import permit before customs will release them.
- 1
Category Identification
We identify whether your product requires full SFDA registration (pharma, medical devices) or a per-shipment import permit (food, cosmetics).
- 2
Establishment Registration
The foreign manufacturer must be registered on the SFDA system. We coordinate with the manufacturer to complete this.
- 3
Product Registration or Permit
For pharmaceuticals and medical devices: full registration (can take months — start early). For food: per-shipment Import Permit via SFDA portal.
- 4
Compliance Documentation
Certificate of analysis, free sale certificate, product composition, labelling review — all prepared and verified against SFDA requirements.
- 5
Customs Linkage
The SFDA approval is linked to the Fasah customs declaration. Customs verify the approval in real-time during clearance.
SFDA product registration for pharmaceuticals and medical devices can take 6–18 months. For food imports, SFDA import permits take 3–7 business days. Contact us early.
Tariff Classification
HS Code Classification — Why It Matters
The Harmonised System (HS) code is an internationally standardised 6–10 digit number that classifies every product traded across borders. In Saudi Arabia (GCC Customs Union), the HS code determines your import duty rate, VAT treatment, whether SABER certification is required, and whether any import restriction applies. Misclassification is one of the most common and costly customs mistakes.
| Impact of Wrong HS Code | What Goes Wrong |
|---|---|
| Duty rate | Pay 20% duty instead of 5% — or underpay and face penalties |
| SABER compliance | Miss mandatory certification → port detention |
| Import ban | Import a restricted commodity unknowingly → seizure |
| VAT treatment | Incorrect VAT calculation → ZATCA audit liability |
| Trade statistics | Incorrect reporting → ZATCA scrutiny flag |
Pivot's team classifies goods using the GCC Common Customs Tariff (CCT) and ZATCA ruling database. For ambiguous products, we apply for a formal ZATCA binding tariff ruling to protect your imports long-term.
Saudi Customs Platform
ZATCA & Fasah — How Saudi Customs Works
Fasah is Saudi Arabia's single-window customs platform operated by ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority). All import and export declarations in Saudi Arabia are submitted electronically through Fasah. The system assigns shipments to Green (auto-release), Yellow (document review), or Red (physical inspection) lanes based on risk profiling.
Common Questions
Green track shipments (auto-release) typically clear within 24–48 hours of vessel arrival. Yellow track (document review) adds 1–3 days. Red track (physical inspection) adds 3–7 days. Pivot's proactive documentation approach keeps most routine shipments on Green track.
SABER applies to regulated consumer and industrial products listed by SASO — including electrical equipment, toys, children's products, building materials, food contact materials, and many more. We check every shipment against the SABER controlled list during document review.
Most commercial food imports require an SFDA Import Permit per shipment. Personal imports under a certain value may be exempt. Products from pre-registered establishments with valid products on the SFDA database clear faster. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices require full product registration — not just a permit.
The standard duty rate under the GCC Common External Tariff is 5% of CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value. Some products attract higher rates (e.g. 12% for some food products, up to 25% for protectionist categories). VAT is 15% on top of the duty-inclusive CIF value. We provide a full duty breakdown with every quote.
Red track means ZATCA will physically inspect your shipment at the port or dry port. Our licensed broker attends the inspection, provides all required documentation, and coordinates with the customs inspector. We handle any queries or requests for additional documentation directly.
Yes. We assist with ZATCA customs registration for new importers, Fasah platform registration, and CR (Commercial Registration) guidance — the prerequisites for importing into Saudi Arabia.
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Get a Quote for Customs Clearance
All enquiries are responded to within 24 hours by our operations team in Riyadh.
Enquire Now Call Our TeamQuick Facts
- Registered BrokerZATCA
- ClassificationHS Code
- CertificationSABER & SFDA
- Avg. Clearance24hr
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