Not every product imported into or manufactured for the Saudi market falls under a specific Saudi technical regulation; some products are classified as “non-regulated,” and the procedure required to register and ship them through the SABER platform differs from that of regulated products. This article explains what a non-regulated product means and what requirements apply before shipment.
What Does a Non-Regulated Product Mean?
A non-regulated product is one that does not fall within the scope of any applicable Saudi technical regulation — meaning the regulatory authority has not issued specific mandatory technical requirements that must be met before the product enters the Saudi market. This does not mean the product is exempt from any review; it means the conformity route required for it differs from that of products subject to a technical regulation.
How Is It Handled on SABER?
When registering a non-regulated product on the SABER platform, it generally goes through basic registration steps covering product, manufacturer, and importer information, without requiring a review by a conformity assessment body. That said, it remains the importer’s or manufacturer’s responsibility to actually confirm that the product is not covered by any technical regulation before relying on this route, since an incorrect classification can lead to issues later at customs clearance — see Does Your Product Need a SABER Certificate? to review the initial steps.
The Role of Self-Declaration
For non-regulated products, the supplier or manufacturer submits a Self-Declaration confirming the product’s conformity with the applicable requirements and that it is free of defects, instead of obtaining a conformity certificate issued by an external body. For more detail on this declaration and how it differs from the PCoC route, see SABER Self-Declaration: When Is It Used and How Is It Different from PCoC?
Is a Shipment Certificate Still Required?
Yes — even with a Self-Declaration in place, obtaining a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) remains a separate, required step for every shipment imported through the SABER platform, as it is used to complete customs-clearance procedures. In other words, the Self-Declaration covers the product’s own status, while the SCoC is tied to each individual shipment. For more detail, see PCoC vs SCoC: What Is the Difference in the SABER Platform?
Is HS Code Alone Enough to Determine the Route?
The HS code is an important element of product-registration data and helps identify a product’s general category, but it is not enough on its own to automatically determine whether a product is subject to a technical regulation. Two products under the same HS code may have a different regulatory status depending on their intended use, technical characteristics, or the scope of the relevant regulation. For more on this point, see How Does HS Code Affect SABER Requirements? and How Is the Applicable Technical Regulation for Your Product Determined?
The Difference Between Regulated and Non-Regulated Products
The core difference between the two is whether a Saudi technical regulation governs the product. A regulated product needs a PCoC issued following an assessment by an authorized body, while a non-regulated product only requires a Self-Declaration from the supplier or manufacturer. In both cases, obtaining a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for each shipment remains a required step independent of this classification.
Common Mistakes Before Shipment
Recurring mistakes that can disrupt shipments include: assuming a product is non-regulated without actually reviewing the scope of the relevant regulations; submitting a Self-Declaration with details that do not match the product or model actually being exported; and treating the Self-Declaration as a full substitute for the Shipment Certificate required for each shipment. Reviewing these points early helps avoid delays at customs clearance.
How Does SaberVerify Help?
We help exporters and importers review the product’s classification and the available official information, to determine whether the product may fall under a technical regulation, and to clarify the steps and documentation expected before registration and shipment. SaberVerify is an independent platform supporting trade compliance, product conformity, and Saudi market access. We are not the official SABER platform, SASO, a government entity, a conformity assessment body, a laboratory, or an issuer of conformity certificates.
Summary
A non-regulated product relies on a Self-Declaration rather than a PCoC, but it still requires a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for each shipment. Carefully verifying the product’s regulatory classification before shipment — rather than relying on the HS code alone — helps avoid delays and issues at customs clearance.
