Core Requirements and Compliance Key Points of Saudi Arabia's 2026 Import Customs Clearance New Policy

Core Changes of Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Import Customs Clearance New Policy

In 2026,the General Administration of Customs of Saudi Arabia issued Announcement No.47,comprehensively upgrading the import customs clearance supervision system.The core of the new policy focuses on three aspects: first,the introduction of AI dynamic comparison model into the customs price verification system,which automatically triggers inspections for goods whose declared price deviates from the market average by ±15%; second,adding the mandatory requirement of "commodity traceability code",requiring all imported goods to affix a unique QR code at the place of origin; third,simplifying the inspection procedures for some low-risk categories,but implementing 100% unpacked inspection for high-sensitivity categories (such as chemicals,medical devices).

According to tracking by Zhongshitong’s Shanghai agent team,in the first month of the new policy implementation,32% of enterprises had customs clearance delays due to incomplete declaration elements,among which mechanical products accounted for the highest proportion.Manager Yu found when handling the import of a German equipment: due to incorrect HS code classification (misdeclaring 84790000 as 84710000),the goods were stranded at Jeddah Port for 12 days,generating total demurrage fees of SAR 180,000.

Dissection of Four Core Processes for Enterprise Import Customs Clearance

1.Customs Price Verification: Price Game Under AI Inspection

The 2026 new policy requires importers to provide three types of supporting materials: origin country market average price report (must be chamber of commerce certified),price comparison table with third-party suppliers,and production factor cost details of imported goods.Zhongshitong recommends enterprises complete pre-price verification 3 working days in advance,focusing on:

• The declared price shall not deviate more than 8% from the average price of similar products in the past 12 months in the Saudi Customs database
• High-value products (＞SAR 500,000) need to provide additional price rationality explanations,such as technical patent certificates and exclusive agency agreements
• Under FOB terms,supplement the freight composition on the ocean bill of lading to avoid triggering inspections due to incorrect freight splitting

Risk Point: In 2026,a certain electronic enterprise was deemed as "underdeclaring price" by the customs because its declared price was 12% lower than the market average,and was fined 20% of the goods value and required to return and re-declare.

2.Pre-inspection of Commodity Inspection: Comprehensive Upgrade of Certification System

Saudi Standards Organization (SASO) added three types of mandatory product certifications in 2026: ① Medical devices need to provide ISO13485 certification; ② Toys need to comply with SAE 2520 standard; ③ Textiles need to pass OEKO-TEX® certification.Zhongshitong’s pre-inspection process includes:

• Complete sample inspection appointment within 24 hours after receiving the goods
• Prepare Arabic version of certification materials synchronously when submitting (must be sealed by a professional translation agency)
• Dangerous goods need to provide additional MSDS report (must include GHS classification)

Case: A certain cosmetic enterprise failed to submit the cosmetic ingredient analysis report (Saudi standard is "lead content not exceeding 10ppm"),resulting in the goods being detained at Jeddah Port.Through Zhongshitong’s emergency coordination with the commodity inspection department,the release was completed within 3 working days.

3.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Dynamic Update of Access List

The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture expanded the scope of animal and plant quarantine in 2026,adding 12 categories of prohibited imported goods: ① Meat that has not been heat-treated; ② Grain containing genetically modified ingredients; ③ Wild plant products.Enterprises need to note:

• Meat import must provide Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) issued by the official of the exporting country
• Plant products must be accompanied by fumigation certificate (wood packaging must comply with ISPM15 standard)
• Prohibited animal and plant products must apply for return certificate in advance,otherwise they will be treated as smuggling

Risk Alert: In the first quarter of 2026,Saudi Arabia seized 12 cases of forged quarantine certificates,all of which were dairy products.Enterprises face fines of SAR 50,000 to SAR 100,000 and risk of revoking import qualification.

4.Import License: Hierarchical Approval Speed-up Plan

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce divides import licenses into three categories: ① Automatic License (general goods); ② Approval License (high-pollution industries); ③ Special License (military-related products).Zhongshitong’s agency process:

• Automatic License: Complete electronic approval within 7 working days,need to submit importer qualification documents
• Approval License: Submit project feasibility report 15 working days in advance,need endorsement by local Saudi partner
• Special License: Need joint approval by Saudi Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Security,it is recommended to entrust a professional agency

Practical Suggestion: A certain chemical enterprise delayed in license approval,through Zhongshitong’s coordination with local Saudi agent to submit supplementary materials urgently,finally completed customs clearance within the legal time limit,saving demurrage fees of SAR 120,000.

Customs Clearance Service Advantages of Zhongshitong Shanghai Headquarters

Leveraging the policy dividends of Shanghai Free Trade Zone,Zhongshitong has built a service system of "signing in one place,linking nationwide": ① Established "green channel" with Shanghai Customs to ensure inspection of high-risk goods completed within 48 hours; ② Equipped with Saudi national customs clearance consultants to interpret policy updates in real time; ③ Developed intelligent price verification system to automatically compare with price database of over 100,000 commodities.

After the implementation of 2026 new policy,Zhongshitong has successfully handled: ① A certain auto parts enterprise reduced customs duty from 15% to 5% through the combination of Certificate of Origin (CO) and price certificate; ② A certain medical device enterprise avoided 30% tax rate difference through HS code pre-classification (corrected 90211000 to 90219000).

2026 Saudi Import Customs Clearance Risk List and Pitfall Avoidance Guide

Special Reminder: Fluctuation of Saudi Riyal (SAR) exchange rate may cause additional losses to enterprises,it is recommended to adopt "RMB settlement + installment payment" mode,Zhongshitong can provide exchange rate locking service to reduce exchange rate loss risk.

Conclusion: Three-step Action Guide for Smooth Customs Clearance

Under the 2026 Saudi import customs clearance new policy,enterprises need to establish a closed-loop management system of "policy prediction - process optimization - risk pre-control".Zhongshitong suggests: ① Confirm product access qualification 15 working days in advance; ② Complete HS code pre-classification at the place of origin; ③ Entrust a professional agency to complete pre-inspection of declaration elements.

If you need further information about the detailed rules of Saudi import customs clearance in 2026,you can contact Zhongshitong Shanghai Headquarters,we will provide free HS code classification consultation and policy interpretation services.