China supplies most of Saudi Arabia's electrical imports
Saudi imports from China reached SAR 261.2 billion in 2025 (+25.1%); electrical machinery was the largest line. Values below are Saudi-reported, 2025 (2024 in brackets).
| Electrical machinery (HS 85) | USD 23,117 million, 64% of Saudi electrical imports (USD 14,396 million, 55%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
| Solar PV modules (HS 854143) | USD 1,029 million, 99.9% of Saudi imports (USD 1,662 million, 99.6%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
| Transformers and inverters (HS 8504) | USD 1,932 million, 67% (USD 1,056 million, 48%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
| Lithium-ion batteries (HS 850760) | USD 1,710 million, 98.7% (USD 426 million, 97.1%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
| Switchgear and control panels (HS 8537) | USD 537 million, 44% (USD 290 million, 34%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
| Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544) | USD 430 million, 44% (USD 347 million, 31%). (UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025) |
HS 8504 covers transformers, static converters (inverters, chargers) and inductors together.
Which SASO rule applies to your product
The 12-digit HS code decides the technical regulation in SABER. We confirm it for every product before you ship.
| Product | Regulation | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV modules, inverters, PV cables | SASO solar PV systems regulation (in force since 2020) | Certificate of conformity from a SASO-approved body, through SABER |
| Lithium-ion batteries (HS 8507) | SASO electrical batteries regulation | Type 3 certificate through SABER; storage systems confirmed per HS code |
| Low-voltage electrical products | Gulf low-voltage technical regulation | Certificate through SABER |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | SASO EMC regulation (Official Gazette 17 Nov 2023) | Supplier's declaration of conformity with a technical file |
| Cables and circuit breakers | SASO IECEE recognition list | IECEE national recognition certificate, based on the CB certificate |
| Panels and transformers | Per 12-digit HS code | Checked per product |
| Devices with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular or LoRa | SASO ICT devices regulation | Type 1a certificate in SABER |
From 1 October 2026, solar PV systems must carry the supplier's (importer's) name and CR number; with Safe Hands as importer of record, that is our name and CR. An IECEE CB report is the basis for SASO's recognition certificate; it does not replace the SABER certificate.
How Safe Hands brings it in
- 1
Classify
We confirm the 12-digit HS code, the SASO regulation and the duty line, and check every HS code for GCC anti-dumping duties before quoting.
- 2
Certify in SABER
The product certificate and shipment certificate sit in our SABER account as importer of record. We handle your SABER registration and certification end to end.
- 3
Ship
Sea freight to Jeddah or Dammam, routed per shipment.
- 4
Clear
Safe Hands files the declaration as the importer named on it; duty, 15% import VAT and the customs fee are paid on the declaration.
- 5
Deliver
To the project site, or to our Riyadh warehouse for phased delivery.
- SABER: technical regulations by HS code (list 8-2026)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Version 2 (Official Gazette 13 Mar 2020)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Electrical Batteries (Official Gazette 21 Dec 2018; amendment 11 Nov 2022)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Electromagnetic Compatibility (Official Gazette 17 Nov 2023)
- SASO: IECEE certificates and the national recognition certificate
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Communications and Information Technology Devices
Government and project tenders
Government and giga-project tenders apply LCGPA local-content rules. Products on the Mandatory List of national products must be national: bids that do not comply are excluded. For national products outside the list, a 10% price preference applies in evaluation. We tell you which rules your tender names.
Growth path: start with Safe Hands as importer of record, hold stock in Riyadh, and move to local assembly or a joint venture when volumes justify it. Projects may qualify for national incentives, subject to the authority.
Sources
- DataSaudi (GASTAT): Saudi Arabia–China trade, 2025
- UN Comtrade: Saudi-reported imports from China by HS code, 2024 and 2025
- SABER: technical regulations by HS code (list 8-2026)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Version 2 (Official Gazette 13 Mar 2020)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Electrical Batteries (Official Gazette 21 Dec 2018; amendment 11 Nov 2022)
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Electromagnetic Compatibility (Official Gazette 17 Nov 2023)
- SASO: IECEE certificates and the national recognition certificate
- SASO: Technical Regulation for Communications and Information Technology Devices
- MoF: Regulations on Preference for Local Content (Council of Ministers Resolution 245, 2019)
Official pages, checked 10 October 2026. The regulation for each product is confirmed per 12-digit HS code before shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
QCan a Chinese manufacturer sell electrical equipment into Saudi Arabia without a Saudi company?
Yes. Safe Hands acts as importer of record, named as the importer on the customs declaration, holds the SABER certificates in our account, clears the goods as a licensed customs broker and delivers to your Saudi buyer.
QDo solar panels need a SABER certificate?
Yes. PV modules and inverters fall under SASO's solar PV technical regulation and need a certificate through SABER; we confirm the route per HS code.
QWhat does a lithium-ion battery need?
Li-ion batteries (HS 8507) fall under SASO's batteries technical regulation, with a Type 3 certificate through SABER. Storage systems are confirmed per HS code.
QIs EMC a third-party certificate?
No. Under SASO's EMC regulation the supplier issues a declaration of conformity with a technical file. Most electrical products also fall under a safety regulation that does need a certificate.
QDoes an IECEE CB certificate replace SABER?
No. A CB report and certificate (with Saudi national differences) is the basis for SASO's recognition certificate, needed for products such as cables and circuit breakers; the SABER certificate is still required.
QWhat if the inverter or meter has Wi-Fi or a cellular module?
It also needs a Type 1a certificate under SASO's ICT devices regulation in SABER. There is no separate application portal.
QWhose name goes on the label?
From 1 October 2026, solar PV systems must carry the supplier's (importer's) name and CR number. With Safe Hands as importer of record, that is our name and CR.
QAre there anti-dumping duties on Chinese electrical goods?
Anti-dumping duties are set at GCC level per product. We check every HS code for GCC anti-dumping duties before quoting.
QCan we bid on government or giga-project tenders?
Those tenders apply LCGPA local-content rules, including the Mandatory List of national products and a 10% price preference for national products outside it. We tell you which rules your tender names.
QWhich port do you use?
Jeddah or Dammam, chosen per shipment based on the project site and current routing.
QCan you hold stock for phased deliveries?
Yes. Cleared stock can be held at our Riyadh warehouse and delivered to the site as the project needs it.
QHow is the importer of record fee charged?
Either as a percentage of the CIF value or as a flat fee per shipment, depending on the shipment value; duty and VAT are paid at clearance and invoiced back with the fee.
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 →
Get an Importer of Record (IOR) Quote
Send the product list with HS codes if you have them, the project city and the volumes; our team replies with the SABER route and a written quote.