Quick answer
Chemical imports into Saudi Arabia need a permit per importer type: traders file the Ministry of Commerce non-hazardous chemicals permit on FASAH (free, 5 days) with a Civil Defence-licensed store and a safety data sheet; factories use the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources route; environmentally impactful materials need NCEC clearance. Safe Hands clears as a licensed customs broker, and our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage.
Chemicals & Dangerous Goods
Chemical imports are approved per substance and per importer type: traders use the Ministry of Commerce chemical permit on FASAH, factories use the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources route, environmentally impactful materials need NCEC clearance and petroleum products a Ministry of Energy permit. We clear the shipment as a licensed customs broker, and our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage.
Which Saudi approvals apply to Chemicals & Dangerous Goods?
| Product line | Approval | Who applies / our role |
|---|---|---|
| Non-hazardous chemicals (traders) | Ministry of Commerce import permit on FASAH: free, 5 days; CR, Saudi chemist storekeeper, Civil Defence warehouse licence and safety data sheet Source | The licence holder applies; we prepare the documents with you |
| Restricted chemicals (industrial entities) | Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources restricted chemical imports permit Source | The licence holder applies; we prepare the documents with you |
| Environmentally impactful materials | NCEC environmental clearance: SAR 3,500 up to 20 tonnes plus SAR 175 per extra tonne; 10 working days Source | The licence holder applies; we prepare the documents with you |
| Petroleum products | Ministry of Energy petroleum products permit (free, 10 working days) Source | The licence holder applies; we prepare the documents with you |
| Customs declaration | FASAH declaration at least 48 hours before arrival Source | Filed on FASAH by Safe Hands as a licensed customs broker |
What do official sources say about Chemicals & Dangerous Goods?
- The Ministry of Commerce non-hazardous chemicals import permit is filed on FASAH, is free and takes 5 days; it needs the CR, a Saudi chemist storekeeper, a Civil Defence warehouse licence and the safety data sheet. (Source, checked 13 Oct 2026)
- NCEC's import permit for environmentally impactful materials costs SAR 3,500 up to 20 tonnes plus SAR 175 per extra tonne and takes 10 working days. (Source, checked 13 Oct 2026)
- The Ministry of Energy petroleum products permit is free and takes 10 working days; it needs a sector licence. (Source, checked 13 Oct 2026)
Where do Chemicals & Dangerous Goods shipments usually come from?
Chemicals usually ship from China, India, Germany and the USA; whatever the origin, a factory importing its own chemicals uses the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources route, including the restricted chemical imports permit where the substance is on the restricted list. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
Which freight modes and clearance apply to Chemicals & Dangerous Goods?
Chemicals and dangerous goods move by sea, packed and declared to the IMDG Code, and by air to GACAR Part 109, with routing confirmed from the safety data sheet; traders clear with the Ministry of Commerce non-hazardous chemicals permit on FASAH, and environmentally impactful materials need NCEC clearance. (Source, checked 13 Oct 2026)
Choose the request that fits
Storage for Chemicals & Dangerous Goods
Our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhich permit does a chemical trader need?
The Ministry of Commerce non-hazardous chemicals import permit, filed on FASAH: free, 5 days, with a Saudi chemist storekeeper, a Civil Defence warehouse licence and the safety data sheet.
QAnd a factory importing its own chemicals?
Industrial entities use the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources route, including the restricted chemical imports permit where the substance is on the restricted list.
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, issued in 10 working days.
QWho runs the chemical storage?
Our chemist runs your licensed chemical storage: you hold the import permit as lessee of a Civil Defence-licensed store, and we provide hazmat training and the SOP pack.
QCan dangerous goods go by sea and air?
Yes, packed and declared to the IMDG Code by sea and to GACAR Part 109 by air, with routing confirmed from the safety data sheet.
QWhen is the customs declaration filed?
Safe Hands, a licensed customs broker, files the FASAH declaration at least 48 hours before arrival, so cargo is released on discharge rather than waiting on documents. For chemical traders, the Ministry of Commerce chemicals import permit is filed on FASAH too: free, 5 days.
QDoes every shipment need a SABER shipment certificate?
Yes. Since 1 October 2025 a SABER shipment certificate (SCoC) is required before the customs declaration for every import, regulated or not. We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end. For chemicals, it sits alongside the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources or NCEC permit that applies to the substance.
QHow do I get a quote?
Request an Import Quote with the product family attached to your request, or message us on WhatsApp; we reply within minutes on WhatsApp. For chemicals, attach the safety data sheet and say whether you import as a trader or as a factory, since the permit route differs.
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 →
Other industries we ship for
- Hospitality & FF&E
- Furniture & Home Retail
- Building Materials
- Apparel & Footwear Brand Distributors
- Fit-out Contractors
- Industrial Exporters
- High-Value Electronics
- Machinery & Industrial Tools
- Paper & Packaging
- Healthcare Fit-out
- Automotive Spares
Product families
- Food & Beverage Imports
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Medical Devices
- Animal Feed & Pet Food
- Batteries & Energy Storage
- EV Chargers & Charging Equipment
- Data Centre & IT Hardware
- Security & Fire Safety Systems
- Construction Robotics & Drones
- Industrial PPE & Workwear
- Industrial Fabrication Inputs