Quick answer
A merchant importing non-hazardous chemicals files the Ministry of Commerce permit on FASAH: free, about 5 days, with a CR, a Saudi chemist storekeeper, a Civil Defence warehouse licence and the safety data sheet. Environmentally impactful materials also need NCEC clearance at SAR 3,500 up to 20 tonnes, and petroleum products a free Ministry of Energy permit in 10 working days.
Which permits do chemicals and petroleum products need?
| Ministry of Commerce permit | Non-hazardous chemicals imported by merchants; filed on FASAH; free; 5 days. Needs a CR, a Saudi chemist storekeeper, a Civil Defence warehouse licence and the SDS. (Ministry of Commerce: chemicals import permit) |
| Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources | Restricted chemicals (Decision 4503) and unrestricted chemicals for industrial entities, through the ministry's permit service. (MIM: restricted chemical imports permit) |
| NCEC environmental clearance | Environmentally impactful materials and ozone-depleting substances: SAR 3,500 up to 20 tonnes plus SAR 175 per extra tonne; 10 working days; bill of lading, invoice, SDS and CR. (NCEC: environmental clearance e-service) |
| Ministry of Energy | Petroleum products import permit: needs a sector licence; free; 10 working days. (Ministry of Energy: petroleum products permit) |
| Radioactive and dual-use | Radioactive sources need an NRRC import licence: free, 5–10 working days, with a practice licence. (NRRC: licence for importing radioactive sources) |
| Chemical waste | Import of hazardous waste is licensed by MWAN on its permits platform; fees are not published. (MWAN (National Center for Waste Management): services) |
Checked 13–15 October 2026.
How does a chemicals shipment get cleared?
- 1
Classify
The tariff line and the safety data sheet show which ministry's permit applies and whether NCEC clearance is needed.
- 2
Storage in place
The permit needs a Civil Defence-licensed store. Our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage, and you hold the permit as the lessee.
- 3
Permit before arrival
The permit is issued before the vessel arrives, so it appears on the FASAH declaration.
- 4
Declaration
We lodge the FASAH declaration at least 48 hours before arrival and clear the shipment into the licensed store.
We read the 12-digit tariff line to confirm which approvals apply, prepare the file with you, and clear once the approval is on FASAH.
Sources
- Ministry of Commerce: chemicals import permit
- MIM: restricted chemical imports permit
- NCEC: environmental clearance e-service
- Ministry of Energy: petroleum products permit
- NRRC: licence for importing radioactive sources
- MWAN (National Center for Waste Management): services
- ZATCA Integrated Tariffs (12-digit lines)
Official Ministry of Commerce, MIM, NCEC, Ministry of Energy, NRRC and MWAN pages, read 13 October 2026; NCEC and MWAN names checked 15 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhich ministry issues my chemicals permit?
Merchants file with the Ministry of Commerce on FASAH; industrial entities use the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. Petroleum products go to the Ministry of Energy.
QHow long does the Ministry of Commerce permit take?
About 5 days, and it is free; it needs a CR, a Saudi chemist storekeeper, a Civil Defence warehouse licence and the SDS.
QWhen is NCEC clearance needed?
For environmentally impactful materials and ozone-depleting substances: SAR 3,500 up to 20 tonnes plus SAR 175 per extra tonne, in 10 working days.
QDo petroleum products need a permit?
Yes. The Ministry of Energy issues the import permit free of charge in 10 working days, for a holder with a sector licence.
QWhere are the chemicals stored after clearance?
In a Civil Defence-licensed store. Our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage, and you hold the Ministry of Commerce permit as the lessee.
QDo chemicals need SABER?
Every import needs a SABER shipment certificate since 1 October 2025; the chemical permit is a separate approval on top of it, decided by the tariff line.
QWhat documents should the supplier send?
The safety data sheet, the commercial invoice, the bill of lading and the product description with its HS code.
QAre radioactive sources handled the same way?
No. They need an NRRC import licence, free in 5–10 working days, issued to a holder of an NRRC practice licence.
Our credentials
- Licensed customs broker
- ZATCA customs clearance
- TGA Freight Forwarder & Broker Licence
- 42/00008120
- ISO certification
- ISO 9001:2015 AMER300621 · ISO 45001:2018 AMER300622
- Verify · Certification body's certificate check
- Head office · Warehouse
- 7273 Fatimah Al Zahraa Rd, Riyadh 12837 · Al Sulay industrial district, Riyadh
Safe Hands Shipping Line is the trade name of شركة الايدي الامينة (Al Aidi Al Amina Company). All credentials →
Chemicals or petroleum products? Send the SDS and HS code
Have a Saudi CR: start with the Customs Clearance Quote. Without one, these products are imported through a licensed Saudi importer; send us the product and we confirm the route and handle customs clearance, freight and delivery with that importer.