In short:
- ZATCA’s commercial import procedures guide states that the importer must translate foreign invoices and documents into Arabic.
- The commercial invoice and certificate of origin are among the key documents attached to the import declaration.
- Accuracy in goods descriptions, quantities, values and country of origin is the heart of the job.
- Coordinate with your customs broker, who knows what clearance needs for your specific shipment.
Jeddah Islamic Port is the Kingdom’s largest Red Sea port and handles a large share of imports for the western region. Every shipment comes with a document file, led by the commercial invoice and the certificate of origin. When those documents are in a foreign language, importers ask: do I need a certificate of origin translation, and the invoice too? Who decides?
Here is a practical answer, with the reminder that the reference is the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) and its official guides, together with the customs broker handling your shipment.
The two documents in plain words
Commercial invoice
Issued by the seller to the buyer, it states the goods, quantities, prices, total value and terms of sale and delivery. Customs relies on it to establish the value of the goods.
Certificate of origin
This proves the country where the goods were made or produced. It is usually issued by a chamber of commerce or a competent body in the exporting country. It matters because origin can affect how goods are treated at customs under the applicable rules and agreements.
What the official guides say about translation
ZATCA’s commercial import procedures guide states that the importer must translate foreign invoices and documents into Arabic. ZATCA also lists the invoice, bill of lading and certificate of origin among the documents attached to the import declaration, which is submitted electronically through the FASAH platform.
In practice it varies by shipment: the type of goods, the language of the document, and whether some documents are already issued in Arabic or bilingually. Your customs broker is best placed to tell you what actually needs translating. Rules change, so always check ZATCA’s import instructions.
Fields that need special care
On the commercial invoice
- Goods description: “spare parts” alone is vague. We translate the description exactly as written, including model, specifications and material.
- Quantities and units: piece, carton, set or kilogram changes everything.
- Prices and currency: unit price, total and currency are copied figure by figure.
- Delivery terms: Incoterms such as FOB, CIF and EXW stay as they are, with a short clarification where helpful.
- Party names and addresses: exporter and importer, as in the commercial registration.
On the certificate of origin
- Country of origin: written with its official Arabic name.
- Issuing body: the chamber or authority’s name and stamp.
- Certificate number, date and invoice reference: these must match the invoice exactly.
- Declarations and stamps: translated or clearly noted, since they are part of the document.
Other documents that may travel with a shipment
Depending on the goods and the authorities involved, a shipment may also include foreign-language documents such as:
- Packing list: the contents and weight of each package, used to match goods at inspection.
- Conformity and inspection certificates: for products subject to technical requirements.
- Health certificates: for certain food and agricultural products.
- Catalogues and specification sheets: which a broker may want to explain a technical product or machine.
We do not decide which are required; that is for the competent authorities and your broker. But if they need translating, it is best to do them together with consistent terminology.
Consistency across documents
What delays shipments most is often not the translation itself but data that does not match between documents: a description on the invoice that differs from the certificate of origin, or an invoice number that does not match the reference on the certificate. That is why we prefer to translate the invoice, certificate of origin and packing list together, using the same term for the goods throughout. If we notice a discrepancy between the originals themselves, we point it out before stamping, because fixing it at source is easier than explaining it at customs.
Common importer mistakes
- Waiting for the ship to arrive before ordering the translation, losing valuable days at the port.
- Sending incomplete photos: one page of a multi-page invoice, or a certificate without its stamped back.
- Using a different translator for each document, so the goods are described three different ways.
- Reusing a previous shipment’s translation: even with the same supplier, quantities, values and document numbers change.
Working with your customs broker
- Ask your broker which documents need translating for this shipment.
- Send us the documents as soon as the supplier issues them.
- Ask for the translation as a stamped PDF for easy electronic upload.
- Pass it to your broker and keep the printed copy in the shipment file.
Suppliers’ languages and timing
Your suppliers may be in China, Turkey, India, Italy or Brazil. Most invoices are in English, but some are in the local language or bilingual. We translate to and from almost any language, and a second translator checks every translation.
Every day a shipment sits at the port can mean storage charges or supply delays. WhatsApp takes documents 24/7, and urgent certified translation is available for an extra fee shown in your quote.
Our services for importers
Almadani Translation has been licensed since 1982 (licence No. 64) and translates shipping, customs, commercial and technical documents. See our shipping and import document translation service. If your company also runs Umrah services, our article on Umrah contract translation may help.
FAQ
Do you handle customs clearance?
No, we only translate. Clearance is handled by a licensed customs broker.
Is the stamped e-copy enough?
Documents are usually uploaded electronically, so the e-copy is practical. Ask your broker what is needed in your case.
Do you translate from Chinese?
Yes, to and from almost any language, including Chinese and Turkish.
Will you correct an error in the original certificate?
No. A translation reflects the original exactly. Corrections must be made by the issuing body, and we then translate the corrected version.
Note: Customs procedures and document requirements change and must be confirmed with ZATCA and your customs broker. This article is general guidance only.
Written by the Almadani Translation Team · Information last reviewed: October 2026