Chemical Material Imports: Complete Requirements

Importing chemicals is more complex than ordinary goods. Saudi law has set a strict system to protect the environment and society. This guide takes you through it step by step.

The Legal Reference

The Chemicals Management Law was issued by Royal Decree M/10 dated 18/1/1443H. It defines:

• License requirements
• Storage conditions
• Clearance and inspection procedures
• Penalties for violations

Regulatory Authorities

Authority	Role
High Commission for Industrial Security	General licensing for handling materials
Civil Defense	Warehouse license + safety requirements
Ministry of Interior	Sensitive materials and precursors
SASO	Technical regulations
ZATCA	Customs clearance + chemical clearance

Mandatory Requirements

1. Up-to-Date Commercial Registration

The activity must match the material type:

• Industrial chemicals CR for factories
• Cleaning products CR for distributors
• Lab CR for research

2. Civil Defense Warehouse License

The chemical warehouse follows strict conditions:

• Certified fire-suppression system (sprinkler + foam by material type)
• Separate storage for incompatible materials (acids ≠ bases)
• 24/7 surveillance cameras
• Special ventilation
• Multiple emergency exits

3. Warehouse Manager Pledge

• Saudi national
• Chemistry-qualified (university degree)
• Legally responsible for the materials

4. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

MSDS = Material Safety Data Sheet

A mandatory document for every chemical, including:

• Physical and chemical properties
• Health and environmental hazards
• First-aid procedures
• Safe storage and handling methods
• Spill response procedures

Without MSDS = the shipment is rejected at the port.

Chemical Classification

Non-Hazardous Materials

• Examples: consumer cleaning products, light detergents
• Requirements: standard + SABER certificates

Hazardous Materials (Class 1–9)

UN classification for hazardous material transport:

Class	Category	Examples
1	Explosives	Dynamite, fireworks
2	Compressed gases	Propane, oxygen
3	Flammable liquids	Gasoline, methanol
4	Flammable solids	Phosphorus, sulfur
5	Oxidizing materials	Hydrogen peroxide
6	Toxic and infectious	Pesticides
7	Radioactive materials	Uranium, isotopes
8	Corrosives	Acids, bases
9	Miscellaneous	Lithium batteries

Chemical Precursors

Materials usable in drug or explosives manufacturing require additional approvals from the Ministry of Interior.

Import Steps

Before Shipping

1. Confirm a matching Commercial Registration
2. Obtain an import permit via the FASAH platform
3. Prepare MSDS from the exporter
4. Ensure warehouse readiness

During Shipping

• Document the shipment in suitable container (Reefer for temperature-sensitive)
• UN warning labels on the container
• Special shipping documents for hazardous materials (DGD)

On Arrival

1. File the clearance declaration
2. Special chemical clearance at the port
3. Sample collection for analysis (in certain cases)
4. Issue release permit
5. Transport via certified trucks to the warehouse

Industrial Exemptions

Factories licensed by the Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources may benefit from:

• Customs exemption on raw materials
• Provided they’re used in local production
• Periodic usage reports

Common Mistakes

❌ Forgetting the import permit before shipping ❌ MSDS outdated or incomplete ❌ Warehouse not compliant with Civil Defense ❌ Exceeding allowed storage quantities ❌ Mixing incompatible materials in the same warehouse

Penalties

• Fines from SAR 10,000 to 100,000
• Warehouse closure
• Re-export of the shipment
• In severe cases: criminal prosecution

OBOOR’s Tip

OBOOR provides an end-to-end service:

• Obtaining the import permit
• Following chemical clearance
• Coordinating with Civil Defense
• Fast customs clearance

Book a chemical consultation — we evaluate your project and define the requirements precisely.