Quick answer
SFDA, not SABER, approves food, cosmetics, medicines and medical devices. Every food item must be registered on GHAD and the importer needs a licensed warehouse; a medical device needs a marketing authorisation (MDMA) of SAR 15,000 to 23,000 by class, issued in 35 working days. The release then runs through FASEH, linked to the FASAH declaration we lodge.
What does the SFDA require before release?
| GHAD | SFDA's unified system for establishment licences, cosmetic product listing, food establishment and product registration, and medical-device licences and import permits. (SFDA GHAD unified system) |
| FASEH | SFDA's electronic clearance for food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and feed, integrated with FASAH. (SFDA electronic clearance (FASEH)) |
| Food clearance | Submitted through FASAH; every food item registered on GHAD; the importer needs a licensed warehouse (exempt: factories importing their own raw materials, and up to 5 shipments a year totalling up to 2,000 kg). The importer pays for laboratory tests. (SFDA: food clearance conditions and requirements) |
| Food documents | Certificate of origin, invoice with batch and expiry, bill of lading, health certificate, phytosanitary certificate where relevant, and an import permit for meat, poultry, fish and eggs. (SFDA: food clearance conditions and requirements) |
| Broker step for food | Product registration alone does not authorise import: the customs broker is registered through SFDA e-services, then the electronic clearance is filed. (SFDA: food registration system (FIRS)) |
| Halal | A halal certificate from a body recognised by the Saudi Halal Center, uploaded via FASAH. (SFDA: halal certificate requirements) |
| Medical device MDMA | Class A SAR 15,000, B 19,000, C 21,000, D 23,000; 35 working days; renewal SAR 5,000. Issued in the manufacturer's name through its authorised representative. (SFDA: medical device marketing authorisation fees) |
| Medical device importer | Must be a Saudi legal entity with an SFDA establishment licence; import permission in GHAD, release via FASEH and FASAH. (SFDA MDS-REQ 5: medical device import and release) |
| Medicines | Marketing authorisation within 35 business days once the file is complete; a drug warehouse-space licence costs SAR 800 and takes 2 days. (SFDA FAQ: drug marketing authorisation timeline) |
| Cosmetics | Product listing in GHAD, then release through FASEH. (SFDA GHAD cosmetics licensing and listing guide (PDF)) |
Checked 13–15 October 2026.
How does an SFDA-regulated shipment get released?
- 1
Classify
The tariff line and SFDA's product classification confirm whether the product is food, a supplement, a cosmetic, a medicine or a medical device.
- 2
Register
The approval holder registers or lists the product on GHAD; medical devices need the MDMA through the manufacturer's authorised representative.
- 3
Storage in place
Food importers need a licensed warehouse; an SFDA-licensed facility is provided under your contract.
- 4
Declaration and FASEH release
We lodge the FASAH declaration at least 48 hours before arrival; SFDA releases through FASEH, then the goods move to your site or 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
- SFDA GHAD unified system
- SFDA electronic clearance (FASEH)
- SFDA: food clearance conditions and requirements
- SFDA: food registration system (FIRS)
- SFDA: halal certificate requirements
- SFDA: medical device marketing authorisation fees
- SFDA MDS-REQ 9: medical device establishment licensing
- SFDA MDS-REQ 5: medical device import and release
- SFDA FAQ: drug marketing authorisation timeline
- SFDA e-service: drug warehouse-space licence
- SFDA GHAD cosmetics licensing and listing guide (PDF)
- ZATCA Integrated Tariffs (12-digit lines)
Official SFDA and ZATCA pages, read 13 October 2026, checked 15 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
QDo food products need SABER?
No. Food is approved and released by SFDA: every item is registered on GHAD and cleared through FASEH, linked to FASAH.
QDoes a food importer need its own warehouse?
The importer needs a licensed warehouse, except factories importing their own raw materials and importers of up to 5 shipments a year totalling up to 2,000 kg. An SFDA-licensed facility is provided under your contract.
QHow much does a medical device marketing authorisation cost?
SFDA's MDMA fee is SAR 15,000 for Class A, 19,000 for B, 21,000 for C and 23,000 for D, with a 35-working-day service time; renewal is SAR 5,000.
QWho applies for the MDMA?
It is issued in the manufacturer's name through its Saudi authorised representative; the importer must be a Saudi entity with an SFDA establishment licence.
QDo supplements need registration?
Yes. Supplements are registered with SFDA at SAR 5,000 per product; conventional food registration has no fee.
QHow are cosmetics cleared?
The product is listed in GHAD, then released through FASEH on the FASAH declaration.
QIs a halal certificate required for meat?
Yes. It must come from a body recognised by the Saudi Halal Center and is uploaded via FASAH; meat, poultry, fish and eggs also need an import permit.
QWho pays for SFDA laboratory tests?
The importer pays for the laboratory tests SFDA requires at clearance.
QWe have no Saudi company. Can we still import SFDA products?
SFDA approvals sit with a Saudi entity or the manufacturer's authorised representative, and SFDA-regulated products are imported through an SFDA-registered or licensed Saudi importer. Tell us the product and we confirm the route; we handle customs clearance, freight and delivery with that importer.
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 →
Food, cosmetics or medical devices? Send the 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.