The businesses interested in selling telecom and wireless products in Saudi Arabia have to meet CITC certification requirements in Saudi Arabia. The official regulator in the Kingdom of telecom, IT, space, and new technologies is the Communications and Information Technology Commission which is now called the CST (Communications, Space and Technology Commission). As the number of mobile, IoT, and wireless gadgets in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, Madinah, and Khobah keeps soaring, it is necessary to get CST certification in Saudi Arabia in order to venture into the market.
The certification will guarantee that the products comply with Saudi technical standards, safety standards, and radio frequency standards. As a manufacturer, importer, or even a technology startup, the only method to sell and distribute telecom and ICT equipment in the Kingdom legally is by CITC approval in Saudi Arabia.
What is CITC/CST Certification in Saudi Arabia?
The product certification of CITC or the CST is a regulatory obligation of any telecom, wireless, RF, or IoT device entering the Saudi marketplace. It includes mobile equipment, routers, CPE equipment, and cellular IoT equipment.
The telecom regulator CST of Saudi Arabia approves compliance with technical standards, rules on safety, and spectrum allocations. This provides reliability, security, and compatibility of products with the Saudi telecom infrastructure.
Why is CST Certification Important in Saudi Arabia?
The companies of Saudi Arabia are obliged to exhibit that they adhere to strict rules concerning ICT and telecom. In Saudi Arabia, failure to obtain CST approval leads to the delay of customs, imposition of penalties, or a ban on product sales.
Key benefits include:
- Legal Market Entry – Products cannot be imported or sold without proper certification.
- Consumer Safety – Prevents risks such as electrical hazards and radio interference.
- Market Confidence – Builds trust with distributors, telecom operators, and end-users.
- Saudi Market Expansion – Certification enables distribution across major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail, and Dhahran.
Products Requiring CITC/CST Certification
In Saudi Arabia, a large variety of telecom and wireless equipment must be registered by the CITC. These include:
- Mobile phones, tablets, and laptops with wireless features
- Mobile routers and CPE device approvals in Saudi Arabia
- Cellular IoT devices requiring cellular IoT CST certification
- Wireless and RF-based equipment
- Routers, Wi-Fi devices, and data transmission equipment
- Devices that operate on regulated spectrum bands
Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam startups intending to introduce new telecom solutions are also required to submit their products to the Saudi Arabia ICT certification before their sale.
Main Requirements for CITC/CST Registration
In Saudi Arabia, businesses need to follow certain guidelines to get CST registration:
- Valid operating license in Saudi Arabia.
- Ensure products comply with Saudi Arabia telecom standards.
- Provide a conformity assessment report from accredited laboratories.
- Meet EMC compliance in Saudi Arabia requirements to avoid interference.
- Follow the ICT equipment standards, including GEN002 Issue 02.
- Apply online through the official CST portal.
Validity and Renewal of CITC/CST Certification:
The life of CITC/CST is usually one year. Once this is done, CST renewal needs to be applied by businesses in Saudi Arabia to ensure compliance.
Failure to renew certification on time can result in market restrictions, product recalls, and customs clearance issues in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam ports.
Compliance and Testing for CITC/CST Certification
CST ensures all products meet high safety and performance standards. The main focus areas include:
- Product Safety Certification Saudi Arabia – Products must be free from electrical risks.
- EMC Compliance Saudi Arabia – Devices should not cause or suffer from interference.
- Telecom Compliance Saudi Arabia – Products must function within approved radio frequency bands.
- Conformity Assessment Saudi Arabia – Documentation and test reports ensure standards compliance.
Unlike some certifications, factory inspections are not always required. However, in certain cases, sample testing for CST certification may be requested.
Impact of CST Certification on Saudi Market Entry:
CITC approval in Saudi Arabia enables companies to get access to one of the biggest telecom markets in the Middle East. In the major telecom centers of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, companies are able to grow in major industries and business centers.
Foreign companies that bring products into the Kingdom are supposed to obtain Saudi Arabia import certification to prevent customs issues. Local distributors also want to work with certified brands in order to have a smooth operation.
CITC/CST Certification and Emerging Technologies:
Saudi Arabia is adopting digital transformation through 5G, IoT, and smart cities. Saudi Arabian IoT device certification and Saudi Arabian RF product certification are gaining significance as industries embrace connected technologies.
With the new ICT equipment standards GEN002 Saudi Arabia, products like mobile routers, cellular IoT devices, and wireless systems must undergo stricter compliance checks.
Why Choose Qdot for CITC/CST Certification?
Qdot assists businesses and startups in Saudi Arabia to ensure efficient registration under CITC and CST. To maintain compliance, testing, and documentation, our team operates in cooperation with the clients in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
We guide businesses through every step of the certification process, ensuring:
- Quick and easy product approval.
- Complete observation of CST telecom policies.
- Full customer service to importers and manufacturers.
- Continued support of CST renewal in Saudi Arabia.
By working with Qdot, you can confidently enter the Saudi market and expand your telecom, wireless, and IoT products across the Kingdom.
Contact Qdot:
Qdot is your reliable choice for CITC and CST certification in Saudi Arabia. Our experts make sure that your products are up to compliance standards regardless of whether you are a startup, manufacturer, or importer. We are ready to certify you today, so contact us!
FAQ's
CITC certification is the approval required for telecom, ICT, wireless, and RF devices to be sold in Saudi Arabia.
The Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) issues all certifications and approvals.
Mobile phones, routers, CPE devices, IoT equipment, and wireless devices need approval before entering the Saudi market.
It is valid for one year, after which renewal is required.
In most cases, no. However, CST may request testing for safety or performance checks.
Yes, foreign manufacturers and importers can apply, but they must follow Saudi telecom standards.
Products without certification cannot be sold and may be blocked at customs.
It is primarily intended for Saudi Arabia, but it can also enhance credibility when applying for global certifications.
In 2024, GEN002 Issue 02 was introduced, covering mobile devices, routers, and IoT equipment.
We provide comprehensive consultancy services for testing, compliance, and documentation to ensure a smooth certification process.