Quick answer
Appliances under a SASO efficiency standard need an energy-efficiency registration before import, as well as their SABER certificates. SASO's fee schedule sets registration at SAR 6,000 for small AC and white goods, SAR 5,500 for large AC and SAR 2,000 for lighting and tyres, with class-based additional fees. Updated air-conditioner requirements become mandatory on 1 December 2026.
Which products need the label, and what does SASO charge to register them?
| Product | SASO standard | SASO fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small-capacity air conditioners | SASO 2663 | Registration SAR 6,000 |
| Large-capacity air conditioners | SASO 2874 | Registration SAR 5,500; certificate SAR 500 per year, up to 5 years |
| Refrigerators and freezers | SASO 2892 | Registration SAR 6,000 |
| Washing machines | SASO 2885 | Registration SAR 6,000 |
| Clothes dryers | SASO 2883 | Registration SAR 6,000 |
| Water heaters | Per SASO's label scope | Registration SAR 6,000 |
| Lighting | SASO 2870, 2902, 2927 | Registration SAR 2,000; SAR 500 per model under the reference model |
| Electric motors | SASO 2893 | SAR 1,000 per model (IE4) or SAR 1,500 per model (IE3) |
| Tyres | SASO 2857 | Registration SAR 2,000; class-based additional fee up to SAR 3,400 |
| New light vehicles | SASO 2847 | Registration SAR 5,000; label SAR 500 |
| Dishwashers | SASO 3029 | Confirmed with SASO per model |
Class-based additional fees for electrical products range up to SAR 8,300 for an air conditioner in the lowest accepted class; products excluded from a standard register for SAR 1,000 and products outside its scope for SAR 500; accepted-laboratory registration is free. Source: SASO energy-efficiency products services cost, read 15 October 2026.
What else should importers know about the energy label?
| Updated AC requirements | Mandatory from 1 December 2026, per SABER's notice. (SABER platform and notices) |
| With SABER | The label sits alongside the SABER product certificate and the shipment certificate every import needs since 1 October 2025. (Saudi Press Agency: SABER shipment certificate before every import declaration from 1 Oct 2025) |
| Payment channels | SASO collects the fees through SADAD, mada, Visa and Mastercard. (SASO energy-efficiency products services cost (PDF, read 15 Oct 2026)) |
Checked 13–15 October 2026.
How does a labelled appliance shipment get cleared?
- 1
Standard and model list
The tariff line and the product type confirm the SASO standard and how many models need registration.
- 2
Test reports
Your factory supplies efficiency test reports from an accepted laboratory.
- 3
Label and SABER
The label registration and the SABER product and shipment certificates are prepared before the vessel sails.
- 4
Declaration
We lodge the FASAH declaration at least 48 hours before arrival and clear the shipment.
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
- SASO energy-efficiency label
- SASO energy-efficiency products services cost (PDF, read 15 Oct 2026)
- SABER HS-code list by technical regulation
- SABER FAQs (PCoC SABER fee SAR 500)
- SABER: shipment certificate (SAR 350 SABER fee, 90 days)
- Saudi Press Agency: SABER shipment certificate before every import declaration from 1 Oct 2025
SASO fee schedule and SABER pages read 15 October 2026; standards list from SASO's energy-efficiency page, read 13 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhich products need the energy-efficiency label?
Air conditioners, fridges and freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, lighting, electric motors, tyres and new light vehicles under their SASO standards.
QHow much does SASO charge for an air conditioner?
Registration is SAR 6,000 for small-capacity and SAR 5,500 for large-capacity units, plus a class-based additional fee that rises as efficiency falls.
QIs the fee per model?
SASO prices motors per model (SAR 1,000 for IE4, 1,500 for IE3) and lighting at SAR 500 for each model under a reference model; the other products carry a registration fee per SASO's schedule.
QWhat changes on 1 December 2026?
Updated air-conditioner requirements become mandatory, so AC shipments arriving after that date need models registered under the new requirements.
QDo I still need SABER certificates?
Yes. The label sits alongside the SABER product certificate, and every import needs a SABER shipment certificate since 1 October 2025.
QDo tyres need the label?
Yes, under SASO 2857: registration SAR 2,000, with a class-based additional fee of up to SAR 3,400.
QWho registers the label?
The registration is made with SASO for the products the importer brings in; when Safe Hands is your Importer of Record, we are the importer named on the declaration.
QCan a product outside the standard's scope be imported?
Yes. SASO registers products outside a standard's scope for SAR 500 and products excluded from its requirements for SAR 1,000.
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 →
Appliances or tyres? Send the HS code and model list
Have a Saudi CR: start with the Customs Clearance Quote. No Saudi company: the Importer of Record (IOR) Quote.