Requirements for Importing Packaging into Saudi Arabia

Technical Regulation Scope

The Technical Regulation for Packaging, set by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), ensures the safety and quality of such products and materials in the Saudi market.

This regulation covers various types of packaging products, including:

  • Plastic

  • Paper and fiberboard

  • Minerals

  • Wood

  • Textiles

  • Glass


It also covers products like handbags, suitcases etc.

Certification Requirements

The importer is required to obtain SABER Product Certification. SABER certification must be issued by a SASO-notified Certification Body, such as XDS Solutions.

Assessment requirements:

  • Test reports issued by an accredited laboratory

Labelling Requirements for Packaging, Bags, and Suitcases

General

  • Label firmly attached and not easily removable
  • No misleading wording, prohibited phrases, or offensive content
  • All the information contained in the labels shall be correct and proven

Identification

  • Product description/name
  • Model name/number
  • Trademark/brand or manufacturer’s name

Language

  • Language must be in Arabic (or Arabic & English)

Country of Origin

  • In the format of "Made in [Country]"

Material

  • The type of packaging material e.g Plastic, Paper & Cardboard, Metals, Woods, Textile, Glass, Materials combined with paper and cardboard,Materials combined with plastic,Materials combined with glass

Purpose of use

  • Intended usage of the product

Recycled materials

  • Details of any recycled materials used in the product (if any)

Standard

  • Any additional markings required as per the applicable product standard(s)

Warnings/Instructions

  • Any warnings/instructions for use (if applicable)

Related Standards

International and national standards referenced in this regulation:

  • SASO‑ISO‑18602 – Packaging and the environment – Optimization of the packaging system
  • SASO‑ISO‑18603 – Packaging and the environment – Reuse
  • SASO‑ISO‑18604 – Packaging and the environment – Material recycling
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D3951 – Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
  • SASO‑ISO‑22742 – Packaging – Linear bar code and two‑dimensional symbols for product packaging
  • SASO‑ISO‑11156 – Packaging – General requirements – Accessible design
  • SASO‑GSO‑ISO‑780 – Packaging – Graphical symbols for handling and storage of packages
  • SASO‑ISO‑IEC‑GUIDE‑41 – Packaging – Recommendations for meeting consumer needs
  • SASO‑ISO‑11683 – Packaging – Tactile warnings of danger – Requirements
  • SASO‑ISO‑18606 – Packaging and the environment – Organic recycling
  • SASO‑ISO‑6590‑1 – Packaging – Sacks – Vocabulary and types – Part 1: Paper sacks
  • SASO‑ISO‑8317 – Packaging – Child‑resistant packaging – Requirements and testing procedures for reclosable packages
  • SASO‑ISO‑16103 – Packaging – Transport packaging for dangerous goods – Recycled plastics material
  • SASO‑ISO‑3394 – Packaging – Complete, filled transport packages and unit loads – Dimensions of rigid rectangular packages
  • SASO‑ISO‑11897 – Packaging – Sacks made from thermoplastic flexible film – Tear propagation on edge folds
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D5663 – Standard Guide for Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and Paperboard
  • SASO‑ISO‑6591‑1 – Packaging – Sacks – Description and method of measurement – Part 1: Empty paper sacks
  • SASO‑GSO‑ISO‑3676 – Packaging – Complete, filled transport packages and unit load dimensions
  • SASO‑ISO‑TC‑18614 – Packaging – Label material – Required information for ordering and specifying self‑adhesive labels
  • SASO‑ISO‑20299‑1 – Film for wrapping rubber bales – Part 1: Butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene‑butadiene rubber (SBR)
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D4635 – Standard Specification for Plastic Films Made from Low‑Density Polyethylene and Linear Low‑Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
  • SASO‑ISO‑18263‑1 – Plastics – Mixtures of PP and PE recyclate used for flexible and rigid consumer packaging – Part 1
  • SASO‑GSO‑EN‑13437 – Recycling methods – Criteria for recycling material and packaging
  • EN 13428 – Packaging – Prevention by source reduction
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D3475 – Standard Classification of Child‑Resistant Packages
  • SASO‑2979 – Sacks for Packaging Cement
  • SASO‑GSO‑572 – General purpose polyethylene bags
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D3892 – Standard Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
  • SASO ISO 6591‑2 – Packaging – Sacks – Description and method of measurement – Part 2: Empty sacks made from thermoplastic flexible film
  • SASO ISO 8367‑2 – Packaging – Dimensional tolerances for general purpose sacks – Part 2: Sacks made from thermoplastic flexible film
  • SASO‑GSO‑ISO‑15987 – Plastics – Film and sheeting – Biaxially oriented nylon films
  • SASO‑GSO‑1856 – Marking of recycled paper and board
  • SASO‑GSO‑2827 – Corrugated board, Grey board, Millboard
  • SASO‑2829 – Ribbed board containers – Requirements
  • SASO‑1928 – General purpose injection moulded flat plastic pallets
  • SASO‑GSO‑ISO‑21067‑1 – Packaging – Vocabulary – Part 1: General terms
  • SASO‑ISO‑21067‑2 – Packaging – Vocabulary – Part 2: Packaging and the environment terms
  • SASO‑ASTM‑D4649 – Standard Guide for Use of Stretch Films and Wrapping Applications
  • ISO 21898 – Packaging – Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for non‑dangerous goods
  • SASO‑GSO‑132 – Plastic bottles used for bottling chemical materials and products

The requirements listed here are intended as a simple guide, and are not exhaustive. Requirements will vary depending on the exact details of the product.
Full requirements are mentioned in the published Technical Regulation. Please contact us for further details.

The full technical regulations can be read on the SABER website.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Compliance Dashboard

12

Active Certificates

98%

Compliance Rate

3

Pending

Cotton T-Shirts

SASO 1885/2016

Active

Wool Socks

SASO 1885/2016

Expiring

Carpets & Rugs

SASO 1885/2016

In Review

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