When shipping a product to Saudi Arabia, it sometimes happens that the HS Code written on the commercial invoice differs from the customs classification registered for the product on the SABER platform. This difference, even when it looks minor, can affect the product’s conformity route and the progress of customs procedures. This article explains why this data should match, and what to review when a mismatch is discovered.
Why Should Classification Data Match?
Both the conformity route on SABER and customs clearance procedures rely on interconnected data: the product description, the HS Code, and the associated technical documents. When this data matches across the invoice, the platform, and the documents, it becomes easier to confirm that the registered product is actually the product being shipped, and that the conformity route chosen reflects its true nature. For more detail on how the HS Code affects the conformity route itself, see How Does HS Code Affect SABER Requirements?
What Is the Difference Between the Invoice Item and the SABER Product Classification?
The HS Code on the commercial invoice is usually entered by the exporter or the freight forwarder based on the product description at the time of export, while the product classification on SABER is the code registered when the product file is created on the platform, which is used to determine the likely technical regulation and required conformity route. In principle, the two codes are expected to match since they describe the same product, but in practice a mismatch can arise from a data-entry error, a generic description, or a later update to one of them without the other. To see how the applicable technical regulation is determined in the first place based on product data, see How Is the Applicable Technical Regulation for Your Product Determined?
What Can Happen When There Is a Mismatch?
When the invoice code does not match the product classification registered on SABER, this can raise additional queries from the relevant authorities during document review, and may affect the smooth issuance of the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) associated with the shipment, since this certificate is built on consistency between the registered product and the actual shipment. It cannot be said that every mismatch will necessarily lead to rejection or delay, but any inconsistency between documents increases the likelihood of needing additional review or clarification before procedures can be completed.
How Do You Know Which Classification Needs Review?
When a mismatch is discovered, it helps to go back to the product’s actual description — its function, the material it is made of, and its technical specifications — and compare these against the tariff code registered on both the invoice and the SABER platform to determine which one more accurately reflects the product’s true nature. For more detail on how to reach the correct classification from the outset, see How to Choose the Correct HS Code Before SABER Registration.
When Is a Correction a Legitimate Fix?
A classification change is a legitimate correction when it is discovered that the registered code does not actually reflect the product’s function, material, or technical specifications, whether due to an error in the initial entry or a change in the product’s own characteristics. In this case, the goal of the correction is to match the classification to the product’s actual reality, not to change the route the product will follow in the conformity process. The same applies to products that turn out to not be subject to a technical regulation at all; see Non-Regulated Products in SABER for the requirements that apply in that case.
Why You Should Not Change the HS Code to Avoid Conformity Requirements
Changing the HS Code should never be used as a way to avoid a particular technical regulation, customs duty, or conformity requirements that seem more complex. The customs classification must reflect the product’s actual characteristics and the applicable Saudi tariff classification, not be chosen because it is cheaper or procedurally easier. Choosing a code that does not reflect the product’s true nature in an attempt to avoid a technical regulation or duty can be identified later during review or inspection, and may require the product to be reclassified or re-registered.
What Should Be Reviewed Before the Shipment Certificate Is Issued?
Before completing the Shipment Certificate of Conformity procedures, it helps to confirm that the product description on the commercial invoice, the HS Code, and the shipment data all match the product data registered on the SABER platform, and that any update to one of these elements is also reflected in the others before the shipment is sent. To first confirm whether the product needs a SABER certificate at all, see Does Your Product Need a SABER Certificate?
The Role of Technical Documents and Product Description
The technical documents and the product description attached to them are the reference that shows the product’s actual function, components, and use, and this is what the choice of HS Code — on the invoice or on the SABER platform — is supposed to be based on. When these documents are consistent with the registered code, it becomes easier to justify the chosen classification during any review or query from the relevant authorities.
How Does SaberVerify Help?
We help exporters and importers review the consistency of the HS Code between the commercial invoice, the product file registered on the SABER platform, and the technical documents, before shipping procedures are completed. SaberVerify is an independent platform supporting trade compliance, product conformity, and Saudi market access. We are not the official SABER platform, SASO, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), a government entity, a customs authority, a conformity assessment body, a laboratory, or an issuer of conformity certificates.
Summary
A mismatch between the invoice HS Code and the SABER product classification is not a small detail; it can affect the smooth issuance of the shipment certificate and how documents are reviewed at customs. When a mismatch is discovered, the product’s actual description and technical documents should be reviewed to determine the correct classification and correct it to reflect the product’s true nature, rather than making the change to avoid a technical regulation or a conformity requirement.
