Guide: Saudi Arabia
Selling in Saudi Arabia from the UAE: what brands need
A UAE brand can reach Saudi shoppers in three main ways: noon's UAE to KSA Global Store, Amazon.sa as a non resident seller, or its own Saudi presence with a commercial registration. On every route, regulated products still need SABER conformity or SFDA approval, and prices to Saudi buyers carry VAT at 15%, not the 5% charged in the UAE.
Why Saudi Arabia is worth the effort
Saudi shoppers are moving online fast. Online payments on mada cards alone reached SAR 325.2 billion in 2025, up 65% on 2024, according to central bank data reported by Okaz. That figure covers more than retail, but it shows the direction. For a UAE brand, Saudi Arabia is usually the biggest next market.
Three routes in
| Route | What you need | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| noon UAE to KSA Global Store | A live UAE noon store, stock in FBN or a UAE Fulfilled by Partner warehouse, HS codes, country of origin and Saudi warranty support | Testing demand fast with no Saudi entity | Size and weight limits, refunds only, delivery from the UAE |
| Amazon.sa as a non resident seller | A Seller Central account and, if you use FBA, Saudi VAT registration with ZATCA | Brands already selling on Amazon.ae with Brand Registry | Moving stock into Saudi Arabia means customs and product approvals |
| Your own Saudi presence | A Saudi commercial registration, VAT registration, an ecommerce certificate on the Saudi Business Center platform and a local bank account | Brands committing to Saudi Arabia for the long term | Setup time and cost before the first sale |
Rules that apply on every route
- VAT: Saudi VAT is 15%. Registration is mandatory above SAR 375,000 a year, and Amazon's guide says non resident FBA sellers must register regardless.
- SABER: consumer products need a conformity certificate, or a self declaration for unregulated items, plus a shipment certificate before customs will clear them.
- SFDA: food, cosmetics, medical devices and other health products are regulated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Cosmetics must be listed in its eCosma system.
- Ecommerce Law: online stores must show their name, address and commercial registration number, the full price including tax and delivery, and issue an invoice.
- Verification: Maroof was replaced in 2023. The Saudi Business Center platform is now the official route for ecommerce store verification.
Arabic first, not Arabic later
Saudi shoppers search, compare and read reviews in Arabic. Listings, ads and customer service that read like a translation lose to local competitors. Write the Arabic first, with Saudi buyers in mind, then adapt the English.
Marketing in Saudi Arabia
TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat each reach more than 20 million people in Saudi Arabia, according to DataReportal's Digital 2026 report, so short video carries most consumer launches. If you work with creators, check that each one holds a Mawthooq licence, which Saudi Arabia requires for people who advertise on social media.
Who does the regulated work. Ihya Commerce is a marketplace management and marketing team. Company licensing, VAT registration, customs clearance and product approvals are handled by you or by licensed partners we bring in. We coordinate the steps that affect your listings and keep the plan moving.
Planning your Saudi launch? We will map the right route with you.
Book a callSources
- ZATCA: VAT registration
- Ministry of Commerce: Saudi Business Center replaces Maroof for ecommerce verification (Sep 2023)
- Saudipedia: the Ecommerce Law in Saudi Arabia
- Saudipedia: the SABER platform
- SFDA: requirements for ecommerce stores
- Amazon: VAT registration guide for non resident sellers in KSA
- noon Partners: UAE to KSA onboarding guide (Apr 2026)
- Okaz: ecommerce payments via mada reach SAR 325.2 billion in 2025 (Feb 2026)
- DataReportal: Digital 2026 Saudi Arabia
- Saudipedia: what is the Mawthooq licence
Quick answers
Yes, through noon's UAE to KSA Global Store, and in some cases on Amazon.sa as a non resident seller. Selling through your own Saudi website at scale usually needs a local presence.
15%. Registration is mandatory above SAR 375,000 a year, and non resident sellers using Amazon FBA in Saudi Arabia must register with ZATCA.
Most consumer products need a SABER conformity certificate or self declaration and a shipment certificate. Food, cosmetics and health products fall under SFDA instead or as well.
No. Licensing, VAT registration and product approvals are handled by you or licensed partners. We plan the route, coordinate the steps that affect your listings and run the marketplaces and marketing.
Planning your Saudi launch?
Tell us what you sell and where. We will tell you straight what to fix first and what it will take.
WhatsAppMessage the team directlyEmailakmal@ihyadigital.com
UAE and Saudi ArabiaSharjah registered, working across the GCC