Saudi Arabia · Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Saudi trade clears through ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority) via the FASAH platform. Importers need a commercial registration and importer record, classify goods under the GCC Common Customs Tariff (mostly 5%), and pay 15% VAT on imports. Many products need SABER/SASO conformity certificates; free zones offer bonded options.
Customs are administered by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). Saudi Arabia applies the GCC common external tariff.
- Customs declarations are processed by ZATCA.
- The GCC common external tariff applies, commonly 5% on many goods.
- Some goods require permits or conformity certification (SABER/SALEEM).
- 1
Register as an importer
Hold a commercial registration and set up your importer record with ZATCA to trade.
- 2
Classify goods and check duty
Classify goods under the GCC Common Customs Tariff; most goods carry 5% duty, with some higher rates and exemptions.
- 3
Get SABER/SASO conformity
Check whether products need a SABER conformity certificate against SASO standards before they can clear customs.
- 4
Handle duty and VAT
Pay the customs duty and 15% VAT on imports; VAT-registered businesses account for it through ZATCA.
- 5
Declare via FASAH
Lodge the customs declaration and documents (invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin) through the FASAH platform.
- 6
Use free zones and resolve disputes
Consider bonded/free-zone storage and re-export, and use ZATCA review channels for classification or valuation disputes.
- Commercial registration + importer record (ZATCA)
- GCC Common Customs Tariff classification (mostly 5%)
- SABER/SASO conformity certificate
- Customs duty + 15% import VAT
- FASAH declaration + documents
- Invoice, packing list, B/L, C/O
- Free-zone bonded option
- ZATCA review route
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Customs, tax and zakat authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is SABER?
A Saudi electronic platform for obtaining product conformity certificates against SASO standards before goods can be imported.
What duty and VAT apply?
Most goods carry 5% duty under the GCC Common Customs Tariff, plus 15% VAT on the import value.
What is FASAH?
Saudi Arabia's integrated electronic platform linking traders, customs and other agencies for import and export clearance.
Government portals
- Saudi National Portal (my.gov.sa) — Saudi government services portal
- Absher (Ministry of Interior) — Residency (Iqama), visas, and entry/exit services
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — VAT, zakat, and customs
- Ministry of Investment (MISA) — Foreign-investment licensing (formerly SAGIA)