SASO Certificate for Bitumen Export to Saudi Arabia
Last updated: 2026-10-02
To export bitumen to Saudi Arabia, you must hold a valid SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued under the SABER platform before shipment — without it, customs clearance at Saudi ports will be rejected within 24–48 hours of arrival. The certification process typically takes 5–10 working days and costs between $500 and $1,200 per shipment, depending on shipment value and testing requirements. Bitumen is classified under HS Code 2713.20.0000 and must comply with SASO 1153:2019 (penetration-grade) standards.
Why the SASO Certificate Is Mandatory for Bitumen Exporters
Saudi Arabia's Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) requires all regulated products — including petroleum bitumen — to obtain a Certificate of Conformity before customs clearance. Since 2019, this process runs exclusively through SABER, an electronic platform linking exporters, certification bodies, and Saudi customs.
Key facts for bitumen exporters:
- Regulation authority: SASO / Saudi Ministry of Commerce
- Platform: SABER (saber.sa)
- HS Code: 2713.20.0000 (petroleum bitumen)
- Applicable standard: SASO 1153:2019, GSO 1153/2015
- Certificate validity: Per shipment (CoC) + 1-year Product CoC
- Processing time: 5–10 working days
- Average cost: $500–$1,200 per shipment
Without a valid SASO CoC, your cargo will be held at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam), or King Abdullah Port — demurrage costs average $150–$300 per container per day, quickly eroding profit margins.
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Missing CoC at customs | Shipment rejected; re-export at exporter's cost |
| Non-compliant product (failed lab test) | Full consignment seized; fines up to SAR 100,000 |
| Expired Product CoC | New testing + re-certification required (7–14 days) |
| Fraudulent/mismatched documents | Permanent blacklist risk on SABER platform |
SASO Certification Process for Bitumen: Step-by-Step
The certification workflow involves two stages: Product Certificate (PC) and Shipment Certificate (SC). Both are issued through an approved conformity assessment body (CAB) registered on SABER.
1. Register on SABER — the Saudi importer must create an account (exporters work through the importer or an authorized agent).
2. Submit product data — HS code, technical datasheet, and the applicable standard (SASO 1153:2019 for penetration grade).
3. Lab testing — bitumen samples are tested for penetration, softening point, ductility, flash point, and solubility. Test reports must come from an ILAC-accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025).
4. Pay PCoC fees — typically SAR 500–1,500 ($135–$400).
5. Receive Product Certificate — valid for 1 year, covering unlimited shipments of the same product.
1. Raise a shipment request on SABER before vessel departure.
2. Upload documents — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, test certificate, and PCoC number.
3. Pay SCoC fees — SAR 200–400 per shipment (plus CAB service fees).
4. Receive SCoC — usually issued within 1–3 working days after document verification.
5. Transmit to customs — the SCoC is electronically linked to the shipment; the importer clears cargo on arrival.
| Step | Duration | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
| SABER registration | 1–2 days | Saudi importer |
| Lab testing (bitumen) | 3–7 days | Accredited lab |
| PCoC issuance | 2–5 days | Certification body |
| SCoC issuance | 1–3 days | Certification body |
| Total (first shipment) | 7–14 days | — |
| Total (repeat shipment) | 2–4 days | — |
Tip: Complete PCoC once per year and budget 3–5 days per shipment for SCoC. Exporters shipping regularly to Saudi Arabia typically maintain an annual PCoC and issue SCoCs for each consignment.
Bitumen Grades & SASO 1153:2019 Compliance Requirements
SASO 1153:2019 aligns with GSO 1153/2015 for penetration-grade bitumen. The most commonly exported grades to Saudi Arabia are 60/70 and 80/100 penetration.
| Property | Test Method | 60/70 Spec | 80/100 Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25°C (0.1mm) | ASTM D5 | 60–70 | 80–100 |
| Softening point (°C) | ASTM D36 | 49–56 | 45–52 |
| Ductility @25°C (cm) | ASTM D113 | min 100 | min 100 |
| Flash point (°C) | ASTM D92 | min 232 | min 225 |
| Solubility in TCE (%) | ASTM D2042 | min 99.0 | min 99.0 |
| Specific gravity @25°C | ASTM D70 | 1.01–1.06 | 1.01–1.05 |
| Loss on heating (%) | ASTM D6 | max 0.2 | max 0.5 |
| Viscosity @135°C (cSt) | ASTM D4402 | 200–450 | 100–250 |
- 60/70 penetration — default for road construction in high-temperature regions (Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province). Represents ~65% of Saudi bitumen imports.
- 80/100 penetration — used in cooler highland areas (Abha, Taif) and for specific surfacing applications.
- PG 64-22 / PG 70-16 — increasingly specified for major infrastructure projects; requires separate SABER product registration under performance-grade standards.
- Cutback and emulsion bitumen — subject to different HS codes (2713.10, 2715.00) and separate SASO standards.
Always confirm the exact grade and standard version with your Saudi buyer before shipment. Grade mismatches are the #1 cause of SABER rejection at customs.
Document Checklist: What You Need for SABER Submission
Incomplete documentation is the leading cause of SCoC delays. Prepare these documents before applying:
- Commercial invoice — showing HS Code 2713.20, quantity in MT, unit price, and Incoterms
- Packing list — drum/bitutank/bulk vessel details
- Certificate of Origin — attested by the Chamber of Commerce and Saudi Embassy (if required)
- Bill of Lading / AWB — issued to the Saudi importer
- Test report — from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab, dated within 6 months
- Product Certificate number (PCoC) — from SABER
- Manufacturer's declaration of conformity
| Issue | Frequency | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Test report older than 6 months | 22% | Retest before shipment |
| HS code mismatch (2713.20 vs. 2715) | 18% | Verify with customs broker |
| Invoice not matching B/L quantity | 15% | Reconcile documents before SABER upload |
| Non-accredited lab report | 12% | Use SASO-recognized labs only |
| Expired PCoC at shipment date | 9% | Renew PCoC on time |
SASO accepts test reports from ILAC-MRA signatory labs. Common choices for bitumen exporters include:
- SGS (Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai hubs)
- Intertek (global network)
- Bureau Veritas (Middle East labs)
- TÜV Rheinland
- Local Gulf labs (GAC, Gulf Laboratories)
Cost per full bitumen test panel: $300–$600. Turnaround: 3–7 working days.
Cost Breakdown & ROI for Saudi Bitumen Exports
Understanding the full compliance cost helps exporters price competitively. Bitumen FOB prices from major exporting hubs in 2024 ranged from $380–$520 per MT — compliance adds a small but critical percentage.
| Cost Item | Amount (USD) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Product CoC (PCoC) | $135–$400 | Annual |
| Shipment CoC (SCoC) | $150–$250 | Per shipment |
| Lab testing (full panel) | $300–$600 | Annual or per batch |
| SABER platform fee | $50–$100 | Per certificate |
| Certificate of Origin attestation | $30–$80 | Per shipment |
| Customs broker (Saudi side) | $100–$300 | Per shipment |
| Total first shipment | $765–$1,730 | — |
| Total repeat shipment | $330–$730 | — |
- For a 20 MT container: compliance adds $16–$37 per MT on first shipment, dropping to $8–$18 per MT on repeat shipments.
- For a 30,000 MT bulk vessel: compliance cost per MT falls below $0.10 — negligible.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| FOB price (Grade 60/70) | ~$450/MT |
| Shipment value | ~$9,000 |
| Compliance cost | ~$600 |
| Freight (Jebel Ali → Dammam) | ~$1,200 |
| Importer's landed cost | ~$500/MT |
| Profit margin (exporter) | 8–15% |
| Scenario | Cost | Time Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Valid SCoC at arrival | $0 extra | Clearance in 1–2 days |
| Missing SCoC | $150–$300/day demurrage | 5–15 days delay |
| Failed lab test | Full re-export | 20+ days + loss of sale |
Key insight: A $500–$700 compliance investment protects a $9,000–$15,000 shipment. The ROI is obvious — skipping certification is never worth the risk.
FAQ: SASO Certificate for Bitumen Export
1. How long does it take to get a SASO certificate for bitumen?
First-time certification takes 7–14 working days, covering lab testing, PCoC issuance, and SCoC approval on SABER. For repeat shipments with an existing annual Product CoC, the shipment certificate is issued in 1–3 working days.
2. How much does a SASO CoC cost for bitumen?
Total costs range from $500 to $1,200 per shipment. This includes the SCoC fee (SAR 200–400), certification body charges, and any re-testing. The annual Product CoC adds $135–$400 but covers unlimited shipments for 12 months.
3. Which SASO standard applies to bitumen?
Penetration-grade bitumen must comply with SASO 1153:2019 / GSO 1153:2015, covering penetration, softening point, ductility, flash point, and solubility. Performance-grade (PG) bitumen may require additional standards depending on project specification.
4. Can I get a SASO certificate without lab testing?
No. SASO requires test reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory dated within 6 months. Some certification bodies accept valid test reports issued for the same production batch, but new batches require fresh testing.
5. What happens if bitumen arrives in Saudi Arabia without a SASO CoC?
The shipment will be blocked at customs, incurring demurrage of $150–$300 per container per day. The cargo must either be re-exported at the exporter's expense or held until certification is completed — a process that can take 10–20 additional days.
Calculate Your Bitumen Export Costs with 6Tar
Getting the compliance math right is critical for profitable Saudi exports. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model your full landed cost — including bitumen FOB price, freight, SASO certification fees, insurance, and customs duties — in under 60 seconds.
What 6Tar helps you calculate:
- Per-MT landed cost for any Saudi port (Jeddah, Dammam, Yanbu, Jubail)
- SASO/SABER fees integrated into total shipment cost
- Break-even price based on current market rates
- Profit margin across different grades (60/70, 80/100, PG grades)
Whether you're shipping a 20 MT trial container or a 30,000 MT bulk cargo, accurate cost modeling protects your margin and speeds up your buyer negotiations. Try the 6Tar cost calculator today and get a precise SASO-inclusive quote for your next bitumen shipment to Saudi Arabia.