When registering a product on the SABER platform, importers and manufacturers may find themselves facing two different conformity routes: Self-Declaration, or a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC). Choosing the correct route is not a matter of preference — it depends on whether the product falls under a Saudi technical regulation. This article explains the difference between Self-Declaration and PCoC, and what to check before choosing either route.
What Is Self-Declaration in SABER?
Self-Declaration is a document issued by the supplier or manufacturer itself for products not subject to a technical regulation, confirming the product’s conformity with the applicable requirements and that it is free of defects, as part of the product-registration steps on the SABER platform. According to the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), this declaration covers both local and imported products that are not subject to technical regulations.
When Is Self-Declaration Used?
Self-Declaration is used when a product falls outside the scope of any applicable Saudi technical regulation — see Non-Regulated Products in SABER: What Requirements Apply? for a closer look at this classification. In this case, the importer or manufacturer is not required to obtain a conformity certificate issued by a conformity assessment body, but instead submits a signed declaration using the approved forms within the SABER platform. Because determining whether a product is subject to a technical regulation requires a careful review of the product’s nature and the scope of each regulation, it is important not to assume a product is “non-regulated” without verifying this first — see Does Your Product Need a SABER Certificate? for the initial steps to review before registration.
What Is a PCoC?
A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is a conformity document issued for products subject to Saudi technical regulations, following a review carried out by an authorized party such as an accredited conformity assessment body, to confirm that the product meets the requirements of the applicable technical regulation. Unlike Self-Declaration, a PCoC does not rely on a self-issued statement from the supplier, but on an assessment carried out by an external party within the scope of its accreditation.
The Difference Between Self-Declaration and PCoC
The core difference between the two routes is not only procedural but lies in what each one is based on: Self-Declaration relies on a statement from the supplier or manufacturer itself, for products not subject to a technical regulation, while a PCoC relies on an assessment carried out by an authorized body, for products subject to a specific technical regulation. In other words, the product’s regulatory status — regulated or non-regulated — is what determines the route, not the product’s type, value, or any other criterion.
Does HS Code Determine the Route?
The HS code is used as one of the elements in product registration on the SABER platform, and it helps identify the product’s general category. However, it does not on its own and 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 use, technical characteristics, or the scope of the relevant regulation. For more detail on this point, see How Does HS Code Affect SABER Requirements?, as well as How Is the Applicable Technical Regulation for Your Product Determined? to understand the elements that actually go into determining the applicable regulation.
What Happens at the Shipment Certificate Stage?
Regardless of the route followed — Self-Declaration or PCoC — obtaining a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) remains a required step for every shipment imported through the SABER platform, as it is used to complete customs-clearance procedures. The SCoC is issued based on the valid Self-Declaration or PCoC applicable to the product’s status. For more detail on this topic, see PCoC vs SCoC: What Is the Difference in the SABER Platform?
Common Mistakes Before Choosing a Route
Among the most common mistakes that can delay shipments or cause issues at customs clearance: assuming a product is not subject to a technical regulation without actually verifying this; relying on a Self-Declaration or PCoC issued for a different product or model than the one actually being exported; and overlooking that a Shipment Certificate of Conformity is required for each individual shipment, assuming that the Self-Declaration or PCoC alone is sufficient. Reviewing these points early, before shipment, helps avoid unnecessary delays.
How Does SaberVerify Help?
We help exporters and importers review the product’s classification and the available official information, to understand whether the product may fall under a technical regulation, and which route is likely applicable, along with clarifying the documentation that may need to be prepared 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; these are handled through the authorized official bodies and platforms according to the requirements of each route.
Summary
A product’s regulatory status — subject to a technical regulation or not — determines whether the applicable route is Self-Declaration or a PCoC. Regardless of the route chosen, obtaining a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for each shipment remains a separate, required step. Verifying these points early helps in choosing the correct route and avoiding delays at customs clearance.
