Saudi Arabia USB-C Unified Charging Port Mandate: Phases, Requirements & Compliance Timeline

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Saudi Arabia has mandated USB Type-C as the universal charging standard for electronic devices, with Phase 1 already in effect as of January 2025 and Phase 2 targeting laptops in April 2026. Here is what manufacturers and importers need to know to stay compliant.

Saudi Arabia USB-C Mandate: What Has Changed?

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) jointly announced Saudi Arabia's unified charging port initiative on August 6, 2023. The mandate requires all covered devices sold in the Saudi market to adopt USB Type-C as the standard charging interface, aligning with similar regulations enacted in the European Union.

The stated goals of the regulation are to:

• Enhance the user experience across the Kingdom

• Reduce consumer costs and avoid unnecessary hardware purchases

• Deliver high-quality charging and data transfer technology

• Advance environmental sustainability by reducing electronic waste

What Has Changed: Two-Phase Implementation

Phase 1 — Effective January 1, 2025

The first mandatory phase is already in force and covers the following consumer electronics:

• Mobile phones & tablets

• Digital cameras & e-readers

• Portable video game consoles

• Headphones, earphones & portable/amplified speakers

• Keyboards & computer mice

• Portable navigation systems & wireless routers

Phase 2 — Effective April 1, 2026

The second phase expands the mandate to include laptops. With this deadline imminent, manufacturers of laptop products targeting the Saudi market must ensure compliance now.

Infographic titled “Saudi Arabia USB Type-C Mandate” showing a large USB-C connector and outlining the country’s regulation requiring USB-C as the universal charging standard. It highlights a two-phase implementation (January 2025 for most electronic devices and April 2026 for laptops), lists covered product categories, and details technical requirements based on SASO standards. The graphic also explains compliance through the SABER platform, enforcement measures like audits and shipment certificate cancellations, and key impacts for manufacturers, including deadlines, certification needs, and risks. It concludes with benefits such as reduced consumer costs, fewer chargers (2.2 million units annually), and decreased e-waste (about 15 tons per year), alongside a note on global trends toward standardized charging.

Technical Requirements

Compliance requires adoption of USB Type-C in accordance with the following SASO standards:

• SASO IEC 62680-1-2:2017 (USB Power Delivery)

• SASO IEC 62680-1-3:2017 (USB Type-C Cable and Connector)

Products must be certified through the SABER platform, Saudi Arabia's electronic product conformity system. Notified bodies are required to review and update all valid Product Certificates (PCs) to confirm USB-C compliance, and must attach supporting evidence to each product's technical file.

Enforcement & Market Surveillance

SASO has implemented active enforcement measures:

• Random file audits through the SABER platform, beginning August 1, 2024

• Cancellation of Shipment Certificates (SCs) for non-compliant products

• Legal action against notified bodies and suppliers that fail to meet requirements

Non-compliance is not treated as an administrative oversight — it results in direct market access consequences.

What This Means for Manufacturers

Area	Impact
Product scope (Phase 1)	Already in effect — broad device category coverage
Product scope (Phase 2)	Laptops — deadline April 1, 2026
Technical documentation	SABER platform certification required
Enforcement risk	Active audits and SC cancellations in force
Consumer savings	2.2M charger units/year reduction; 170M SAR saved annually
E-waste reduction	Approx. 15 tons of electronic waste reduced per year

Compliance Timeline & Recommended Actions

Immediate (Now)

• Confirm USB-C compliance for all Phase 1 product categories

• Verify that SABER product certificates reflect USB-C compliance

• Ensure notified body has attached compliance evidence to all active PCs

Short-Term (Before April 1, 2026)

• Assess all laptop product lines for USB-C integration

• Initiate SABER certification updates for Phase 2 devices

• Review supply chain and component sourcing for USB-C compatibility

Ongoing

• Monitor CST and SASO regulatory updates

• Maintain up-to-date SABER records to avoid SC cancellations

• Align all new product launches with SASO IEC standards from day one

Strategic Insight

The Saudi USB-C mandate is part of a clear global trend: regulators worldwide — from the EU to the Gulf region — are standardizing charging interfaces to reduce waste and improve interoperability. For manufacturers exporting to Saudi Arabia, proactive compliance is not just a legal obligation; it is a competitive advantage in a market that is actively enforcing these rules at the border.

Companies that align early with USB Type-C requirements across their product portfolios will face fewer certification delays, fewer shipment disruptions, and stronger positioning in one of the fastest-growing electronics markets in the Middle East.