SASO has cracked down on non-complaint shipments of non-medical mask as a high number of shipments lack the mandatory importer/manufacturer declaration form.
SASO issued an update on the non-medical face mask declaration circular issued in March 2021. The update was necessitated by a high number of noncompliant shipments processed by Saudi customs, according to SASO.
With immediate effect, shipments of face masks not intended for surgical/medical use must include an Importer/Manufacturer Declaration Form to be approved by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Mineral Resources.
The declaration form is related to Textile Technical Regulations and must be submitted to the ministry for approval before a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCOC) is issued. In turn, the ministry will add a barcode to the declaration indicating its approval.
The Ministry's approval data, including the barcode, will be verified in factories and outlets for imported products before the non-medical masks can be distributed. However, the update only applies to the following 4 HS Codes:
- 481890000002
- 481890009999
- 630790970002
- 630790990000
To learn more about this update or other SASO regulations, please do not hesitate to contact us.