Saudi Arabia continues to develop its position as a major regional trade and logistics hub. For businesses importing goods into the Kingdom or exporting Saudi products to international markets, understanding customs costs is an important part of financial planning. Saudi Arabia Customs Fee Changes have introduced a revised approach to customs service charges, helping businesses estimate certain costs more consistently and plan their shipping activities more effectively.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) introduced a revised customs service fee structure effective from 6 October 2024. The changes included a new calculation method for import customs declaration processing fees and the removal of specified service fees for exports. These changes are particularly relevant to manufacturers, distributors, e-commerce businesses, freight forwarders, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Understanding the difference between customs service fees, import duties, VAT, and logistics charges allows businesses to prepare more accurate budgets and avoid unexpected expenses during customs clearance.

Understanding Saudi Arabia Customs Fee Changes

The revised customs service fee structure introduced a more standardized method for calculating import declaration processing fees. Under the announced framework, the fee is calculated at 0.15% of the value of incoming goods, including shipping and insurance, subject to a minimum of SAR 15 and a maximum of SAR 500. A special maximum of SAR 130 applies to eligible shipments covered by the relevant exemption provisions.

The framework also removed specified customs service fees for exports, including certain declaration processing, inspection, data exchange, and related services.

For qualifying individual shipments arriving through international online stores with a value not exceeding SAR 1,000, the announced customs declaration processing fee is SAR 15.

Businesses should distinguish these service fees from customs duties and other applicable taxes. The amount payable for a particular shipment depends on its classification, customs value, origin, applicable exemptions, and other relevant requirements.

How the Changes Affect Importers

Importers need to understand how customs service fees contribute to their total landed costs. The revised calculation method can make the declaration processing component easier to estimate before goods arrive in Saudi Arabia.

For example, a shipment with a customs value, including shipping and insurance, of SAR 100,000 would produce a calculated declaration processing fee of SAR 150 at the 0.15% rate, assuming the standard fee rules apply.

This calculation helps purchasing teams estimate one component of the shipment's cost. However, it does not represent the total customs bill. Import duty, VAT, transportation, insurance, port handling, storage, and other applicable charges may still affect the final amount.

Businesses should update their import cost calculators and ensure that finance, procurement, and logistics teams use consistent figures when preparing budgets.

Impact on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Small and medium-sized enterprises often operate with limited working capital. Unexpected import expenses can affect inventory purchases, cash flow, and profit margins.

A more predictable customs service fee calculation can help SMEs plan purchasing decisions and evaluate suppliers more accurately. Companies importing goods regularly can use shipment values to estimate declaration processing fees before placing orders.

However, businesses should not assume that every shipment will become cheaper. The actual impact depends on the shipment value, applicable fee limits, customs duty rates, VAT treatment, and other logistics costs.

SMEs can improve financial control by maintaining an updated import cost sheet, reviewing supplier invoices, and confirming applicable charges with their customs clearance provider before dispatch.

Benefits for Exporters in Saudi Arabia

The removal of specified customs service fees for exports can help Saudi businesses manage certain export-related expenses more effectively. This is particularly relevant to manufacturers, trading companies, and SMEs selling products to overseas customers.

Lower charges for covered services may improve cost planning and support the competitiveness of Saudi products in international markets. Exporters can use the savings to review pricing strategies, strengthen distribution arrangements, or invest in customer acquisition.

Nevertheless, the waiver should not be interpreted as meaning that every export-related expense has been eliminated. Freight, cargo insurance, documentation, destination-country duties, and other applicable charges may remain payable.

Exporters should verify which services qualify for the waiver and include all remaining costs when calculating their international selling prices.

The Difference Between Customs Fees, Duties, and VAT

One of the most important considerations for businesses is understanding the different charges associated with importing goods.

Customs service fees: These are charges for specified customs-related services, including customs declaration processing.

Customs duties: These are generally determined by the product's tariff classification, customs value, origin, and applicable tariff rules. Rates vary by product.

Value Added Tax (VAT): VAT may apply to imported goods according to Saudi tax rules and the circumstances of the transaction.

Logistics and handling costs: These may include freight, insurance, port handling, storage, delivery, and other charges imposed by relevant service providers.

These costs should be recorded separately in a landed cost calculation. Treating them as a single customs fee can lead to inaccurate budgets and misunderstandings about the financial impact of regulatory changes.

How Businesses Can Manage Customs Clearance Costs

Companies can take several practical steps to manage import expenses and reduce avoidable delays.

1. Review HS Code Classification

The Harmonized System (HS) code identifies the type of goods being imported. Correct classification helps determine the applicable tariff treatment and identifies relevant regulatory requirements.

Incorrect classification can lead to reassessments, delays, additional administrative work, or penalties where applicable. Businesses should verify product descriptions and tariff classifications before shipping.

2. Prepare Accurate Shipping Documents

Commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin where required, transport documents, and product-specific approvals should be prepared accurately.

Inconsistent descriptions, incorrect values, or missing documentation can delay customs clearance and increase the risk of additional storage or handling expenses.

3. Calculate Total Landed Cost

Businesses should include the product purchase price, freight, insurance, customs service fees, applicable customs duties, VAT, clearance charges, and other relevant expenses in their calculations.

A complete landed cost estimate supports better pricing decisions and reduces the likelihood of unexpected expenses affecting profit margins.

4. Monitor ZATCA Requirements

Customs rules, tariff classifications, exemptions, and procedural requirements may vary according to the product and transaction. Businesses should consult current ZATCA guidance and verify requirements before dispatching goods.

Regular reviews help importers identify changes that may affect compliance, shipment timing, or total costs.

5. Work With an Experienced Customs Clearance Provider

A qualified customs clearance provider can assist with documentation, tariff classification, declaration preparation, and coordination with relevant authorities.

Professional support can be especially useful for companies importing regulated products, managing high shipment volumes, or entering the Saudi market for the first time.

The Role of Customs Fee Changes in Supply Chain Planning

Customs service fees are only one part of a company's overall supply chain expenditure. Shipping rates, delivery schedules, inventory management, supplier reliability, and port-related charges can have an equally important effect on business performance.

By incorporating updated customs service fee rules into procurement and logistics planning, businesses can make more informed decisions about shipment frequency, supplier selection, and inventory levels.

Companies should also establish clear communication between finance, procurement, warehouse, and logistics teams. When everyone works with the same cost assumptions and documentation standards, it becomes easier to identify discrepancies and resolve issues before they disrupt operations.

Common Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

Several mistakes can undermine the benefits of a more predictable customs service fee structure.

• Assuming customs service fees and customs duties are the same.

• Applying the standard fee calculation without checking eligibility for special limits or exemptions.

• Using incorrect HS codes or incomplete product descriptions.

• Forgetting to include freight, insurance, VAT, and other applicable costs in landed cost estimates.

• Relying on outdated customs guidance when planning new shipments.

• Assuming that waived export service fees eliminate all export-related expenses.

Avoiding these mistakes can improve budgeting accuracy and support smoother customs clearance.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia Customs Fee Changes have introduced a revised approach to customs service charges, with implications for import cost planning, export expenses, and business operations. The percentage-based import declaration processing fee and the waiver of specified export service fees can help companies understand certain costs more clearly.

However, businesses must consider the complete financial picture, including customs duties, VAT, freight, insurance, documentation, and handling charges. Accurate classification, complete paperwork, regular regulatory reviews, and professional customs clearance support remain essential.

For businesses trading with Saudi Arabia, staying informed about ZATCA requirements is an important step toward maintaining compliance, controlling costs, and building a more reliable supply chain.

Adhesive Products SABER Certification in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Saudi Arabia is an important market for construction materials, industrial supplies, automotive products, and chemical-based solutions. Adhesives are widely used across these industries, including construction projects, furniture manufacturing, packaging, flooring, and industrial assembly. For businesses planning to import these products, understanding Adhesive Products SABER Certification in Saudi Arabia is an important step toward meeting applicable product compliance requirements.

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) operates the SABER electronic platform to facilitate product registration and conformity certification for goods entering the Saudi market. Depending on the adhesive product, its intended use, and the applicable technical regulations, importers may need a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC), or another applicable compliance route.

Understanding the certification process before shipping can help manufacturers, suppliers, and importers reduce documentation errors, avoid unnecessary delays, and prepare their products for customs clearance.

What Is SABER Certification for Adhesive Products?

SABER is an electronic platform used to register products and manage applicable conformity certificates for goods intended for the Saudi market. It supports compliance with relevant Saudi standards and technical regulations.

Adhesive products include a wide range of materials, such as construction adhesives, tile adhesives, wood glue, industrial bonding agents, sealants, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and specialty chemical formulations. Their regulatory requirements may differ according to composition, application, product classification, and intended use.

For this reason, businesses should not assume that every adhesive requires the same certificate. The first step is to identify the correct customs classification and determine whether the product falls under an applicable Saudi technical regulation.

Importers can use the SABER platform to check product classification and the relevant compliance pathway before arranging shipment.

Why Is SABER Compliance Important for Adhesive Imports?

Importing adhesive products without completing the required conformity procedures can create problems during customs clearance. Missing documentation, incorrect product classification, or certificates that do not match the shipment may result in additional checks and delays.

Proper SABER compliance helps businesses establish that their products have followed the applicable registration and conformity procedures. It also supports more organized communication among manufacturers, importers, conformity assessment bodies, and customs clearance providers.

For international suppliers, understanding Saudi import requirements before dispatch is particularly important. Product compliance can influence delivery schedules, inventory planning, customer commitments, and overall import costs.

Types of Adhesive Products That May Require Compliance Checks

Different adhesive categories can have different regulatory considerations.

Construction Adhesives

Construction adhesives are used for tiles, flooring, panels, insulation systems, and other building applications. Importers should determine whether the specific formulation or intended application falls under an applicable technical regulation.

Industrial Adhesives

Industrial bonding products are used in manufacturing, machinery, electronics, automotive assembly, and other commercial applications. Technical documentation may be needed to establish product identity, composition, and intended use.

Woodworking and Furniture Adhesives

Wood glue and furniture bonding products are commonly used in carpentry, furniture production, and interior applications. Businesses should verify the applicable classification and any product-specific safety or labeling requirements.

Specialty Adhesives and Sealants

Specialty chemical adhesives and sealants may have additional requirements depending on their composition and intended application. Safety data sheets and technical specifications can help authorities and conformity assessment professionals understand the product.

These categories are examples rather than a definitive list of regulated products. The actual certification route must be confirmed for each product.

Documents Required for Adhesive Products SABER Certification

The documents required depend on the adhesive's classification and the applicable conformity assessment procedure. Preparing accurate information early can help reduce processing issues.

Commonly requested information may include:

• Manufacturer and importer details

• Commercial registration information for the Saudi importer, where applicable

• Product name, brand, model, and identification details

• HS code or customs tariff classification

• Technical data sheet describing the adhesive's properties and intended use

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS), where applicable

• Product photographs, packaging details, and labeling information

• Test reports or conformity documentation when required

• Commercial invoice and shipment information

• Relevant product conformity certificates or declarations

Not every item is mandatory for every adhesive. Importers should confirm the precise documentation requirements with the selected conformity assessment body and through the applicable SABER process.

Product names, model numbers, manufacturer details, and descriptions should remain consistent across the technical file, commercial documents, and certificate applications.

How to Obtain SABER Certification for Adhesive Products

The process generally involves several steps, although the exact route depends on the product's regulatory classification.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Product Classification

Determine the appropriate HS code and provide an accurate description of the adhesive. Its chemical composition, intended use, packaging, and technical characteristics may be relevant when establishing the correct classification.

Step 2: Check Applicable Saudi Requirements

Use the SABER platform to determine whether the product falls under a technical regulation or is classified as a non-regulated product. The compliance route should be verified before the shipment leaves the exporting country.

Step 3: Register the Product

The Saudi importer registers the relevant product information on the SABER platform. Product identification details and model information should match the manufacturer's documentation.

Step 4: Complete the Applicable Conformity Procedure

Where a Product Certificate of Conformity is required, the importer generally submits the application through an accepted conformity assessment body. The body reviews the technical documentation and any required evidence before the certificate is registered.

Products not covered by technical regulations may follow a different route, including an applicable self-declaration procedure. Such products may still require registration and a shipment certificate.

Step 5: Obtain the Shipment Certificate

For commercial imports, the importer completes the applicable shipment certification process through SABER. The required product registration and conformity documentation, or self-declaration where permitted, must be in place.

Step 6: Coordinate Customs Clearance

Once the required documentation is ready, the importer or customs clearance representative can coordinate the shipment's customs declaration and clearance procedures. Certificate details should match the actual products being imported.

Completing these steps before dispatch can help businesses avoid preventable documentation problems.

Common Challenges in Adhesive Product Certification

Businesses importing adhesives may encounter several compliance challenges.

Incorrect HS codes: An inaccurate classification can lead to the wrong regulatory pathway or additional review.

Incomplete technical documentation: Missing specifications, safety information, or product identification details can delay assessment.

Unclear product composition: Adhesives with different chemical formulations may need separate technical reviews or supporting documents.

Inconsistent product details: Differences between invoices, labels, model numbers, and certificates can create questions during clearance.

Late certification planning: Starting the process only after goods have been shipped can complicate delivery schedules if additional documentation is required.

To minimize these risks, importers should review their products and documentation before placing shipping orders.

How a Customs Clearance Provider Can Help

A knowledgeable customs clearance provider can assist importers with documentation coordination, HS code verification, customs declaration preparation, and communication with relevant service providers.

For adhesive products, this support can be particularly valuable when the importer is unfamiliar with Saudi technical regulations or is bringing a new product range into the Kingdom.

Businesses should choose a provider that understands the distinction between product registration, conformity assessment, shipment certification, and customs clearance. A clearance provider can help coordinate the process, but the applicable certification requirements must still be confirmed through the relevant authorities and conformity assessment channels.

Conclusion

Adhesive Products SABER Certification in Saudi Arabia is an important compliance consideration for businesses importing construction adhesives, industrial bonding materials, woodworking glues, and other adhesive products.

The correct process depends on the product's classification, intended use, and applicable Saudi technical regulations. Importers should verify requirements through SABER, prepare accurate technical documentation, complete the applicable conformity procedures, and arrange the necessary shipment certification before customs clearance.

With early planning and reliable compliance support, businesses can reduce avoidable delays, improve import documentation, and manage their entry into the Saudi market more efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is SABER certification mandatory for all adhesive products in Saudi Arabia?

Requirements depend on the product's classification and applicable regulations. Products outside technical regulations may follow a different compliance route.

2. What is the difference between PCoC and SCoC?

A PCoC relates to product conformity, where required, while an SCoC relates to a specific shipment.

3. What documents are needed for adhesive product certification?

Requirements vary but may include product specifications, an SDS, HS code, manufacturer details, and applicable test reports.

4. Can adhesive products be imported without a PCoC?

Some products may qualify for an alternative compliance route. Their classification and applicable requirements must be checked through SABER.

5. How can importers avoid SABER certification delays?

Verify product classification early, prepare complete technical documents, and ensure that product and shipment information is consistent.

6. Can a customs clearance company help with SABER compliance?

A customs clearance provider can help coordinate documents and clearance procedures, while conformity assessment must follow the applicable regulatory process.