Exporting Food or Cosmetic Products to Saudi Arabia?
Tove Leeds Certification & Inspection is a Conformity Assessment Body designated by the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) to perform conformity assessment activities and issue Consignment Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) for eligible food and cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
We support Saudi importers, international manufacturers, and exporters throughout the conformity assessment process, including document review, verification of product compliance, inspection and testing where required, and issuance of the Consignment Certificate of Conformity through the SFDA FASEH process.
Choose Your SFDA Service
Food Products
Exporting food or beverages to Saudi Arabia? Tove Leeds provides SFDA conformity assessment services for eligible food consignments to verify compliance with applicable Saudi food regulations, technical requirements, standards and import-clearance conditions.
- Shipment document review
- Product / SFDA registration verification where applicable
- Applicable technical requirements and standards review
- Label and product-information review
- Ingredients and product-specification review
- Inspection, sampling and laboratory testing where required
- Health, halal or other regulatory certificate review where applicable
- Final conformity assessment and CoC issuance through the applicable FASEH process
Cosmetic Products
Exporting cosmetics or personal-care products to Saudi Arabia? Tove Leeds provides SFDA conformity assessment services for eligible cosmetic consignments in accordance with applicable SFDA requirements and Saudi/Gulf technical regulations.
- Product notification / listing verification where applicable
- Ingredients and formulation information review
- Label and artwork review
- Product claims review
- Applicable technical requirements review
- Document verification
- Inspection, sampling and laboratory testing where required
- Final conformity assessment and CoC issuance through the applicable FASEH process
How the SFDA Consignment CoC Process Works
Step 1 – Confirm Product & Country Eligibility
Confirm the product category, country of export/shipment, Saudi importer details, whether the product falls within the relevant SFDA conformity programme, and whether Tove Leeds is designated for the applicable country and activity.
Step 2 – Complete Applicable SFDA Product / Establishment Requirements
The Saudi importer should ensure that establishment licensing, importer requirements and product registration/listing/notification requirements have been completed as applicable. For cosmetics, SFDA guidance directs importers to complete product registration and licensing steps through GHAD before the FASEH cosmetics clearance journey.
Step 3 – Create the Request in FASEH
The Saudi importer initiates the applicable clearance/conformity request through the SFDA Electronic Clearance System (FASEH) and enters the required shipment and product information.
Step 4 – Select Tove Leeds as the Conformity Assessment Body
Where Tove Leeds is available for the relevant country and activity, the importer selects Tove Leeds Wanco Certification Inspection Company. FASEH transmits the request to the conformity assessment body.
Step 5 – Submit Required Documents
The applicant provides shipment and product compliance documents. Exact requirements depend on the product, risk, origin and applicable SFDA requirements.
Step 6 – Technical Conformity Review
Tove Leeds reviews product classification, applicable registration/listing information, technical requirements, ingredients/composition, labels/claims where relevant, and shipment details.
Step 7 – Inspection / Sampling / Testing Where Required
Depending on the applicable conformity route and product risk, physical inspection, sampling, laboratory testing or additional evidence may be required.
Step 8 – Resolve Non-Conformities
If required information is missing or a non-conformity is identified, the applicant is advised and must provide acceptable corrective evidence before certification can proceed.
Step 9 – CoC Decision and Issuance
Following satisfactory completion of the applicable conformity assessment activities, the certification decision is completed and the Consignment Certificate of Conformity is issued through the applicable SFDA/FASEH process.
Step 10 – Saudi Import Clearance
The CoC forms part of the import-clearance documentation. Final entry and clearance decisions remain with SFDA and other competent Saudi authorities, which may perform further documentary, identity, physical or laboratory checks where applicable.
Typical Documents to Prepare
Shipment Documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill when available or applicable
- Certificate of origin where required
- Exporter / manufacturer details
- Saudi importer details
- Product, batch/lot and quantity information
Product Compliance Documents – as applicable
- Product specification
- Ingredients / composition or formulation information
- Labels / artwork
- Certificate of Analysis
- Test reports
- Product registration/listing/notification information
- Manufacturing, health or free-sale certificates where applicable
- Halal certificate or halal slaughter certificate where applicable
- Other documents required under current SFDA rules or applicable technical requirements
Who Does What?
| Saudi Importer | Manufacturer / Exporter | Tove Leeds |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain applicable Saudi registrations/licences | Provide commercial and shipping documents | Receive and review the FASEH request |
| Complete applicable product registration/listing | Provide product specifications, composition and labels | Determine applicable conformity activities |
| Create the FASEH request | Provide required test/certification evidence | Perform/coordinate document review, inspection and testing where required |
| Select the eligible conformity body | Provide access or samples where required | Evaluate conformity results and identify non-conformities |
| Coordinate Saudi clearance | Provide corrective evidence where required | Make the certification decision and issue CoC when requirements are met |
Before You Apply - Client Checklist
- ✓ Saudi importer is appropriately registered/licensed
- ✓ Applicable product registration/listing/notification is complete
- ✓ Country is within Tove Leeds’ current designation scope
- ✓ Product falls within the relevant SFDA conformity programme
- ✓ Invoice and packing list are consistent
- ✓ Product and batch information match across documents
- ✓ Labels meet applicable Saudi requirements
- ✓ Required test evidence is available
- ✓ Certificate of origin and other supporting certificates are available where applicable
- ✓ Tove Leeds is contacted before shipment where inspection, sampling, testing or label correction may be required
Frequently Asked Questions
Who initiates the SFDA CoC request?
The Saudi importer normally initiates the applicable conformity/clearance request through FASEH.
Can an exporter contact Tove Leeds before the importer creates the FASEH request?
Yes. Manufacturers and exporters can contact Tove Leeds in advance for eligibility and document guidance. The formal consignment request must still follow the applicable SFDA/FASEH process.
Does every product require laboratory testing?
No. Testing depends on the product, applicable requirements, available conformity evidence and the conformity-assessment route.
Does every shipment require inspection?
Not necessarily. Inspection requirements depend on the applicable programme and conformity-assessment activities.
Is the CoC valid for future shipments?
A Consignment Certificate of Conformity relates to the specific consignment/request for which it is issued. Subsequent shipments generally require their own applicable conformity process.
Does an SFDA CoC guarantee customs clearance?
No. The CoC supports the clearance process, but final clearance remains under the authority of SFDA and other competent Saudi authorities.
How long does certification take?
Processing time depends on document completeness, product type, required inspection/testing activities and the time required to resolve any non-conformity. Avoid publishing an unconditional guaranteed turnaround time.
Why Tove Leeds?
- SFDA-designated conformity assessment body for Food and Cosmetics Consignment CoCs within the designated country scope.
- Saudi-based support for importers and international exporters through the conformity and clearance journey.
- Testing, inspection and certification expertise to coordinate applicable technical conformity activities.
- One point of contact from request receipt and document review through conformity decision and certificate issuance.