Last updated: September 8, 2026
What importers need before a ventilating fan can clear Saudi customs — and the documents that cause most rejections.
Saudi Arabia does not accept a CE mark on its own. Every regulated consignment must be registered on SABER, the electronic conformity platform run under the SALEEM programme of SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization). Without a valid shipment certificate, the goods are held at port.
This guide is written for importers, contractors and procurement teams buying exhaust and ventilating fans from China. It explains the sequence, the two certificates, the HS classification and the technical file — plus the mistakes that most often delay clearance.
For fans, the sequence is: G-Mark first, then SABER.
Fans sit in the GCC-regulated appliance category. A G-Mark (GCC) certificate is the entry ticket; the Saudi importer then uses it to register the model on SABER and obtain a PCoC, and a SCoC is issued for each shipment. A G-Mark by itself allows circulation in the other GCC states — it is not sufficient for Saudi Arabia.
These three names are often used interchangeably, which is where most confusion starts:
| Term | What it is | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| SASO | The national standards body | Writes the technical regulations your product must meet |
| SALEEM | The national conformity programme | The overall framework for product and shipment certification |
| SABER | The online platform | Where registration, PCoC and SCoC are actually issued |
| FASAH | The customs platform | Where Saudi customs validates the SCoC to release the shipment |
| PCoC — Product Certificate | SCoC — Shipment Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Approves the model for import | Approves one specific consignment |
| Validity | 1 year | One shipment only |
| Tied to | A specific Saudi importer (CR number) | The commercial invoice for that shipment |
| When | Before the first shipment | Before the goods arrive at port |
| Reused? | Yes — covers repeat shipments for 12 months | No — a new one is needed every time |
The single most expensive mistake: a SCoC cannot be issued retroactively. If the container lands before the SCoC is approved, the shipment sits at port accruing demurrage. Build this step into your production schedule, not into your shipping schedule.
Typical processing is 5–15 working days depending on whether additional testing or a factory audit is triggered. Regulated products with a complete file move faster than non-regulated ones with gaps.
Classification drives both the duty rate and which technical regulation applies. For fans the dividing line is motor output:
| Product | HS heading | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Wall, window, ceiling and panel fans ≤125 W | 8414.51 | Self-contained motor, output not exceeding 125 W |
| Duct / inline and higher-power exhaust fans | 8414.59 | Other fans — above 125 W or not in the listed types |
| Blades, motors, housings | 8414.90 | Parts |
Saudi uses a 12-digit national HS code, so the six-digit heading is only the starting point. Confirm the full code with your importer or CAB before filing — a mismatch between the invoice and the SABER record is a standard rejection trigger.
For the safety assessment, fans are evaluated against:
Relevant test points for ventilating fans include motor locked-rotor temperature rise, blade guard protection, resistance to heat and fire, and — for bathroom units — the degree of protection against moisture (IP rating).
Check expiry dates before you ship. CB reports are only accepted within their validity window. An expired report is one of the most common causes of a stalled PCoC application, and renewing it mid-shipment costs far more than checking a date.
We cover the wider certificate landscape — CE, CB, ISO and what each one actually proves — in our exhaust fan certifications guide.
| Document | Who provides it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| G-Mark (GCC) certificate | Manufacturer | Proof of GCC conformity — prerequisite for fans |
| CB test report + CB certificate | Manufacturer | Safety evidence, must include 60 Hz deviation |
| EMC test report | Manufacturer | CISPR 14-1/14-2, IEC 61000-3-2 |
| Factory ISO 9001 certificate | Manufacturer | Quality system credibility |
| Business licence (Chinese + English) | Manufacturer | Entity verification |
| Product photos and ratings label artwork | Manufacturer | Identification and labelling review |
| Importer CR number and SABER account | Saudi importer | Registration — certificates are tied to the importer |
| Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | Both | SCoC application per shipment |
| Certificate of origin | Manufacturer / chamber of commerce | Origin declaration |
The certificates themselves are issued to the Saudi importer — both PCoC and SCoC are tied to the importer's commercial registration, so they cannot be held by a foreign manufacturer. What we do is make the importer's application frictionless:
Send us the model and your importer's requirements, and we will confirm exactly which documents we can supply before you commit to a shipment date. See also our Saudi Arabia supply page for product recommendations by application.
Yes. Fans are a GCC-regulated category. In practice you need a G-Mark (GCC) certificate first, then the importer registers the model on SABER for a PCoC, and a SCoC is issued per shipment before arrival.
The PCoC approves the model and is valid for one year, tied to a specific Saudi importer. The SCoC is issued per shipment for customs clearance and must be obtained before the goods arrive — it cannot be issued retroactively.
Fans with a self-contained motor of 125 W or less generally fall under HS 8414.51; larger or duct-mounted units above 125 W are typically 8414.59. Saudi uses a 12-digit code, so confirm the full classification with your importer or CAB before filing.
IEC 60335-1 (general requirements) together with IEC 60335-2-80 (particular requirements for fans). A CB test report and certificate are normally used as evidence, and for Saudi they must cover the 60 Hz national deviation.
No. G-Mark covers the wider GCC market, but Saudi Arabia requires SABER registration on top of it. A G-Mark alone allows circulation in the other GCC states, not in Saudi.
The Saudi importer registers on SABER and applies for both certificates, since they are tied to the importer's commercial registration. The manufacturer supplies the supporting technical file — CB report, G-Mark, EMC reports, photos, label artwork and ISO documentation.
Send your model list and destination — we will confirm the documentation we can supply, within one working day.
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