Several markets add their own certification or conformity check on top of the general tile standards. The best known are CE marking for the EU and the SASO Quality Mark for Saudi Arabia. The UK, Nigeria and Kenya also run schemes that tile importers meet, and the US relies on project specifications rather than a mandatory mark.
Rules change, so everything here is dated as of October 2026. Confirm the current position with your customs broker or the relevant authority before each new product or market.
The EU and Saudi Arabia
For the EU, tiles need CE marking and a Declaration of Performance based on EN 14411, as explained in CE marking for tiles. For Saudi Arabia, tiles need the SASO Quality Mark and SABER certificates, as explained in SASO and G-Mark for tiles.
United Kingdom: UKCA or CE
Great Britain created its own mark, UKCA, after leaving the EU. For construction products such as tiles, the government announced on 2 September 2024 that CE marking will continue to be accepted in Great Britain. Its guidance says the CE mark will continue to be available for construction products, with the longer term linked to wider reforms.
So, as of October 2026, a CE-marked tile with a valid Declaration of Performance can be sold in Great Britain, and UKCA is an alternative. Northern Ireland follows separate rules. Check the GOV.UK guidance on construction products before you ship.
Nigeria: SONCAP
Nigeria runs the SONCAP programme through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). It applies to imported goods regulated by SON, with set exclusions such as food and drugs. Imports need a Product Certificate, which is used to open Form M, and a SONCAP Certificate for customs clearance.
SON's own pages do not list tiles by name, and the regulated list can change. Ask an accredited SONCAP partner whether your tiles are covered and which route applies before you ship.
Kenya: PVoC
Kenya runs the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Regulated goods need a Certificate of Conformity issued in the exporting country by a KEBS-appointed partner. Goods that arrive without one face destination inspection and extra charges.
KEBS started new three-year PVoC contracts with its partners on 19 February 2026. Which partner serves India depends on KEBS's zone allocation, so check the KEBS PVoC page for the current list.
United States: specification, not a mark
The US has no mandatory national certification mark for ceramic tiles. Instead, buyers and specifiers ask for compliance with ANSI A137.1 and, for slip resistance, ANSI A326.3. Our article on the ANSI A137.1 standard explains what that means. Duties are a separate issue and change often.
How to handle any new market
- Ask your customs broker which conformity documents customs will ask for at entry.
- Find out whether the importer, the exporter or both must apply, and how long it takes.
- Check whether the scheme needs a test report from a specific or accredited laboratory.
- Confirm that the factory's documents name the same company and plant as your exporter.
Next step
We match each product to the documents your market needs and check them before loading. To plan an order for a new market, book a free sourcing review.