Quick answer
Survey drones and construction robots clear on different paths. A drone is first registered and approved on GACA's UAS portal and its owner registered with ZATCA; the owner then files a new customs release request. Robots and automated machinery fall under SASO's machinery-safety regulation, and radio links under the Communications and IT Devices regulation, both via SABER. Safe Hands handles your SABER certification end to end and clears as a licensed customs broker.
Construction Robotics & Drones
Drones need GACA's UAS portal before customs: the aircraft is registered and approved on the portal, the owner is registered with ZATCA, and the owner then submits a new customs release request. Robots and automated machines fall under SASO's machinery-safety regulation, and their radio links under the Communications and IT Devices regulation. We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end and clear the shipment as a licensed customs broker.
Which Saudi approvals apply to Construction Robotics & Drones?
| Product line | Approval | Who applies / our role |
|---|---|---|
| Drones (unmanned aircraft) | Registration and approval on GACA's UAS portal; owner registered with ZATCA; then a new customs release request Source | The owner registers; we prepare the clearance documents with you |
| Construction robots and automated machinery | SASO technical regulation for general requirements for machinery safety, via SABER Source | We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end |
| Radio links, controllers and telemetry | SASO Communications and IT Devices technical regulation via SABER (COC-CST route) Source | We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end |
| Every shipment | SABER shipment certificate (SCoC) before the customs declaration, required for every import since 1 October 2025 Source | We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end |
| 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 Construction Robotics & Drones?
- GACA's UAS portal registers unmanned aircraft for operations in the Open and Specific categories and facilitates customs clearance for drones through Saudi ports. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
- Per the portal FAQ, the aircraft must be registered and approved on the portal and the owner registered on the ZATCA platform before submitting a new customs release request. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
- SASO's technical regulations include the General Requirements for Machinery Safety regulation. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
Where do Construction Robotics & Drones shipments usually come from?
Construction robots and drones ship from China, the USA, Germany, the UK and Turkey; whatever the origin, GACA's UAS portal registers each drone for operation in the Open or Specific category before its customs release request. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
Which freight modes and clearance apply to Construction Robotics & Drones?
Drones and construction robots can ship on the same booking, but each drone line is released only after GACA's UAS portal approval and the owner's ZATCA registration, through its own customs release request; drone lithium batteries move as dangerous goods, IMDG Code by sea and GACAR Part 109 by air. (Source, checked 15 Oct 2026)
Choose the request that fits
Importer of Record for Construction Robotics & Drones
Foreign robotics and drone makers with no Saudi entity ship DDP to construction and survey projects through Safe Hands as Importer of Record.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat must happen before a drone clears customs?
The drone is registered and approved on GACA's UAS portal and the owner is registered with ZATCA; the owner then submits a new customs release request.
QDo construction robots need SABER?
Yes. Robots and automated machinery fall under SASO's machinery-safety regulation and need SABER certificates; their radio parts are certified under the Communications and IT Devices regulation.
QCan a drone ship together with the rest of the site equipment?
Yes, on the same booking, but the drone line is released only after its GACA portal approval, so we file it as its own release request.
QDo drone batteries need special handling?
Yes. Lithium batteries move as dangerous goods, by sea under the IMDG Code and by air under GACAR Part 109.
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 construction robots, it comes on top of the machinery-safety certificate, and for radio links on top of the COC-CST certificate.
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 drones, a separate customs release request is filed only after GACA's UAS portal approval.
QCan you deliver to NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya or Red Sea sites?
Yes, as destinations: cleared at the nearest gateway, staged in Riyadh where useful and delivered to the site's own access rules. Construction robots clear under SASO's machinery-safety regulation before they travel to site.
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 drones, say whether each aircraft is already registered and approved on GACA's UAS portal.
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 →
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