Exporting chemicals to Saudi Arabia

_Source fetch date: 2026-05-09. URLs verified at time of writing; content may change._

Customs authority

• ZATCA — Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (formed 2021, merger of the General
• Fasah — Saudi Customs' single-window electronic clearance platform.
• ZATCA's customs directorate sits under the Customs Sector; importers

HS code system used

• Saudi Arabia uses the GCC Common Customs Tariff (based on WCO HS 2022),
• The first 6 digits are WCO-harmonised — a cross-walk from India's HSN is
• Source: ZATCA tariff database — https://zatca.gov.sa/en/CustomsTariff/Pages/default.aspx
• Operational note: Do not assume the Indian 8-digit HSN maps 1:1 to the

Standard import documents (any goods)

Filed via Fasah by the importer or their licensed Saudi customs broker:

1. Commercial Invoice — in English; Arabic translation is good practice. Must include: shipper, consignee, description of goods, unit price, total value, country of origin, HS/customs tariff code. 2. Packing List 3. Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air) — original and copies. 4. Certificate of Origin — attested by the exporter's Chamber of Commerce or Industry AND by the Saudi Embassy (or consulate) in India, OR by an Arab-Indian Chamber authorised body. Saudi customs typically requires attested CoO for duty assessment and CEPA / preferential-rate purposes. - No India–Saudi preferential tariff in force as of 2026-05-09 — MFN rates apply (see "Trade agreement" below). A standard non-preferential CoO is adequate; attestation is still expected by Saudi customs practice. 5. Customs Declaration via Fasah — the importer's CHA files it. 6. Delivery Order / Arrival Notice from the carrier. 7. Import Permit / Licence — if the goods fall under a regulated category (chemicals: see chemicals_general.md; pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, medical devices have separate SFDA permits). 8. SABER Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — for products falling under Saudi Technical Regulations that require SABER conformity assessment. See chemicals_general.md for which chemical categories require SABER.

• ZATCA Import Procedures — https://zatca.gov.sa/en/HelpCenter/Pages/default.aspx
• Fasah single-window platform — https://www.fasah.sa/
• Saudi Embassy India — attestation guidance — https://www.mofa.gov.sa/

Importer registration (Saudi side)

The importer must hold:

1. Commercial Registration (CR) — issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), formerly Ministry of Commerce and Investment. This is the primary business licence. Activity scope must cover import of the relevant chemical category. 2. Fasah / ZATCA Customs Registration — linked to the CR. Required before any Fasah customs declaration can be filed. 3. VAT Registration with ZATCA — mandatory for entities with taxable supplies above SAR 375,000/year. VAT applies at 15% on imports (since July 2020). 4. SFDA Registration — for importers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and controlled/narcotics substances. Not required for general industrial chemicals.

The exporter (us, India side) does not need a Saudi-side registration to ship. The importer files via Fasah; we supply the documents listed above.

• MoC Commercial Registration — https://mc.gov.sa/en/
• ZATCA VAT & Customs — https://zatca.gov.sa/en/

Trade agreement with India

No India–Saudi FTA or preferential agreement is in force as of 2026-05-09.

• India–GCC FTA negotiations have been ongoing since 2004 (relaunched
• MFN (Most Favoured Nation) tariffs apply. GCC common external tariff
• Additional levies: VAT 15% applies on CIF value + customs duty.

### Certificate of Origin for MFN purposes

• Standard non-preferential CoO issued by the Exporter's Chamber of Commerce
• Must be attested by the relevant authority (Saudi Embassy in India or
• No RVC or CTC calculation required since there is no preferential rule.

- **MFN tariff rate per chemical HSN** — must be confirmed at ZATCA tariff portal per consignment. Rates above are indicative ranges only. - **CoO attestation requirement** — some Saudi importers / customs offices require Saudi Embassy attestation; others accept EOBI / Arab-Indian Chamber attestation. Clarify with the consignee's CHA before first shipment. - **India–GCC FTA status** — if an FTA enters force after this file was written, a preferential CoO will be required and a new seller overlay must be added to `COUNTRY_SELLER_OVERLAYS["Saudi"]` in the renderer. - **SABER requirement scope** — which specific chemical HS codes are currently subject to mandatory SABER conformity. SABER scope expands periodically.