Quick answer
Canadian mining and quarrying machinery can be sold into Saudi Arabia without a Saudi company: Safe Hands is the importer named on the FASAH declaration. Machinery needs a SABER certificate from a SASO-accepted body under the Type 1a model, and a CSA mark is not a SABER certificate. In 2025 Saudi Arabia imported USD 8.5 million of these machines from Canada, plus USD 9.9 million of parts.
What rules apply to Canadian mining machinery?
| Mining and quarrying machinery (HS 8430, 8474) | USD 8.5 million of Saudi imports from Canada in 2025, almost all of it sorting, screening, crushing and mixing machinery (HS 8474, USD 8.4 million). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports, 2025) |
| Parts (HS 8431) | USD 9.9 million in 2025 of parts for lifting, earth-moving, drilling and mining machinery. (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports, 2025) |
| Machinery: the SABER route | A certificate of conformity from a SASO-accepted body under the Type 1a model, with the supplier's declaration and a risk assessment in the technical file. (SASO Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety: General Requirements (Official Gazette 29 Mar 2024)) |
| CSA and other marks | A CSA mark is not a SABER certificate; existing test reports and the technical file may reduce the testing needed. (SASO Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety: General Requirements (Official Gazette 29 Mar 2024)) |
| Machines shipped in parts | Where a machine cannot travel fully assembled it may ship in separate parts; the certificate is issued for the final model, with proof that the parts belong to it (Art 6/6). (SASO Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety: General Requirements (Official Gazette 29 Mar 2024)) |
| Canadian export declaration | Exports to countries other than the US need an export declaration for commercial goods of CAN $2,000 or more, and for controlled goods at any value (checked 10 Oct 2026). (CBSA: Exporting goods from Canada (export declaration, CERS)) |
| Export controls | Goods on Canada's Export Control List need an export permit under the Export and Import Permits Act before they leave Canada. (Canada: Export and Import Permits Act (Export Control List)) |
| Duty | No Canada–GCC free trade agreement is in force: Canadian-origin goods pay the standard (MFN) rate on their 12-digit line, plus 15% import VAT and the 0.15% customs service fee. (Trade Commissioner Service (Canada): Canada's free trade agreements) |
Facts checked 15 October 2026 at the official sources linked in each row.
How does a Canadian machine get from the plant to the Saudi site?
- 1
Classify
We confirm the 12-digit Saudi line for the machine (HS 8430 or 8474) and for its parts (HS 8431), with each line's required procedures.
- 2
SABER
The technical file and risk assessment go to a SASO-accepted body; the model is registered under our SABER account and the PCoC and SCoC are issued.
- 3
Canadian export filing
The Canadian exporter files the export declaration where required and checks the Export Control List.
- 4
FASAH declaration
We lodge the declaration at least 48 hours before arrival and pay duty and 15% import VAT.
- 5
Delivery to site
After release, the machine and its parts are delivered to the mine, quarry or plant, or held in our Riyadh warehouse until the site is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
QDo Canadian mining machines need SABER?
Yes where the 12-digit line lists it: machinery needs a certificate of conformity from a SASO-accepted body under the Type 1a model with the supplier's declaration and risk assessment.
QIs a CSA mark accepted in Saudi Arabia?
A CSA mark is not a SABER certificate, but existing test reports and the technical file can reduce the testing needed for the SABER certificate.
QDo spare parts need SABER too?
Parts are classified on their own 12-digit line (often HS 8431); the line's required procedures decide, and every shipment needs its SCoC.
QCan a large crusher ship in parts?
Yes. The machinery regulation allows shipment in separate parts when the machine cannot travel assembled; the certificate covers the final model (Art 6/6).
QDoes the Canadian side need an export permit?
Only for goods on Canada's Export Control List. Commercial exports of CAN $2,000 or more to Saudi Arabia need an export declaration.
QWhat duty does Canadian machinery pay?
The standard (MFN) rate on its 12-digit line, since no Canada–GCC agreement is in force, plus 15% import VAT and the 0.15% customs service fee.
QWho holds the SABER certificates?
We do, as your Importer of Record; the certificates sit in our SABER account.
QHow long does clearance take?
The FASAH declaration is lodged at least 48 hours before arrival; the SCoC is issued in 1–2 working days, and commercial FCL clears in under 4 hours after arrival with complete documents.
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 →
Ship Canadian machines to a Saudi site
Send the machine type, HS code and the Saudi site; we confirm the SABER route and the duty line before you ship.