Quick answer
Telecom and IT devices are certified on SABER under SASO's Communications and IT Devices regulation, published in the Official Gazette on 16 August 2024: a Type 1a certificate, or IECEE recognition for the devices in its Annex 3. CST's licensing, registration and EMF rules still apply. The COC-CST route covers 54 tariff lines, and every shipment also needs its SCoC.
What do telecom and IT devices need before import?
| Regulation | SASO Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices: approved by SASO's Board on 28/12/2023, published in the Official Gazette on 16/08/2024. (SASO Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices (PDF)) |
| Supplier | The manufacturer, its Saudi agent or the importer. (SASO Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices (PDF)) |
| Certificate | Type 1a certificate from a SASO-accepted body, or IECEE recognition for the devices in Annex 3; technical file with radio bands and maximum power. (SASO Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices (PDF)) |
| Scope | Annex 1-B lists 119 categories, including HS 8471, 8517, 8523.52 (SIM), 8525, 8526, 8529.10, 8807.90 and 9030.40. (SASO Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices (PDF)) |
| CST rules | CST licensing and registration and EMF rules still apply (Art. 4); CST's Decision 532/1445 sets conditions for import, clearance and its conformity certificate, and the bylaw bans import or sale of unapproved devices. (CST: Regulations for Licensing of Telecommunications and IT Equipment (Decision 532/1445)) |
| SABER routes | COC-CST on 54 lines (e.g. 8517, 8525, 8526, 8471); IECEE national recognition on about 200 lines, with a CB test report and CB certificate and plugs to SASO 2203. (SABER HS-code list by technical regulation) |
| SABER fees | SABER fee SAR 500 + VAT per product certificate; SAR 350 + VAT per shipment certificate. (SABER FAQs (PCoC SABER fee SAR 500)) |
Checked 13–15 October 2026.
How does a telecom or IT device shipment get cleared?
- 1
Tariff line and route
The HS code decides COC-CST, IECEE recognition or another SABER route.
- 2
Technical file
Your factory sends test reports, radio bands, maximum power, label images and the model list.
- 3
Certificates on SABER
We handle the product certificate with a SASO-accepted body and the SCoC for each shipment.
- 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 Technical Regulation for Communications and IT Devices (PDF)
- CST: Regulations for Licensing of Telecommunications and IT Equipment (Decision 532/1445)
- SABER HS-code list by technical regulation
- SASO: IECEE national recognition
- 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
Official SASO, CST and SABER pages, read 13 October 2026, checked 15 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
QIs a separate CST approval still needed?
The device certificate is issued on SABER under SASO's regulation, and CST's own licensing, registration and EMF rules still apply alongside it. We confirm both from the HS code.
QWhich devices are covered?
Annex 1-B of the regulation lists 119 categories, including computers (8471), phones and network equipment (8517), SIM cards (8523.52), transmitters (8525), radar and radio navigation (8526), antennas (8529.10), drone parts (8807.90) and test instruments (9030.40).
QWhat is the COC-CST route?
A SABER certificate route for 54 tariff lines of communications and IT devices, such as 8517, 8525, 8526 and 8471, with a Type 1a certificate valid for one year.
QCan a CB certificate be used?
For the products under IECEE national recognition, yes: SASO accepts a CB test report and CB certificate, with plugs to SASO 2203.
QIs a CE or FCC mark enough?
No. A foreign mark is not a SABER certificate; the device still needs its Saudi certificate, and your existing test reports may reduce the testing needed.
QWho can be the supplier on SABER?
The manufacturer, its Saudi agent or the importer. When Safe Hands is your Importer of Record, we are the importer named on the declaration.
QWhat happens to devices without approval?
The CST bylaw bans the import or sale of unapproved devices, so the certificate is planned before shipping.
QWhat are SABER's fees for a device?
SAR 500 + VAT per product certificate and SAR 350 + VAT per shipment certificate (SABER fees, saber.sa, checked 15 October 2026); conformity-body testing is separate.
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 →
Phones, routers or laptops? Send the HS code
Have a Saudi CR: start with the Customs Clearance Quote. No Saudi company: the Importer of Record (IOR) Quote.