Exporting Forklifts, Tower Cranes, and Aerial Lifts to Saudi Arabia: What Certifications Are Required?

With the rapid advancement of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Saudi Arabia has become one of the most important destinations for Chinese construction machinery exports. However, when it comes to high-risk lifting equipment—such as forklifts, tower cranes, aerial lifts, and hoisting machinery—Saudi authorities require strict compliance with the Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety – Part 3: Lifting Equipment.

Product Scope under Saudi Regulations

According to Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), lifting machinery that falls under "Machinery Safety – Part 3: Lifting Equipment" is classified as Type 3 medium-risk products, meaning higher safety and certification requirements. These include:

• Industrial lifting equipment: overhead cranes, gantry cranes
• Logistics equipment: electric forklifts, pallet trucks
• Aerial work platforms: scissor lifts, boom lifts, construction hoists
• Specialized lifting machines: truck-mounted cranes, tower cranes

Covered HS Codes mainly include 8425, 8426, 8427, and 8428.

Certification Process for Exporting to Saudi Arabia

To successfully clear customs, every model of lifting equipment must first obtain a Type Approval Certificate (TAC) issued by SASO, before applying for clearance certificates on the Saber platform.

The process involves:

• JEEM1 platform registration – submit required documents for review.
• Saber platform application – obtain Product Certificate (PC) and Shipment Certificate (SC) for customs clearance.
• Type Approval Certificate issuance – valid for 1 year.

Required Documents

Product photos (multi-angle, including nameplate close-up)

Bilingual (Arabic & English) manuals compliant with Saudi standards

• Importer/exporter business license & tax registration
• Installation and operation manuals
• Manufacturer's ISO 9001 certificate

Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks for approval.

Why This Matters for Exporters

Since Saudi Arabia strictly regulates lifting machinery due to potential safety risks, manufacturers and exporters must prepare in advance. Delays in certification can directly affect delivery schedules and project timelines.

At Asure Machinery, we specialize in providing certified forklifts, aerial lifts, cranes, and other lifting equipment for global clients. Our team ensures compliance with Saudi regulations, offering not only high-quality equipment but also full documentation support to make your export process smooth and efficient.