Etimad Basics
Etimad Fees Explained: What It Really Costs to Bid on a Saudi Government Tender
23 June 2026 · 8 min read · By NextBid Bid Experts
A common question before bidding: how much does Etimad cost? There is no subscription to register or browse - the real costs are per-tender document fees and the bank guarantees the law requires. Here is the full picture so nothing surprises you.
One of the most common questions before bidding is simple: how much does Etimad cost? The reassuring answer is that there is no subscription to register or browse. The real costs are the per-tender document fee and the bank guarantees the law requires - and here is the full picture so nothing surprises you mid-bid.
This guide covers registration (free), the "Etimad subscription" myth, the conditions-booklet fee, the guarantees, VAT, and which amounts you can get back.
Is there a fee to register or "subscribe" to Etimad?
No. Registering your company and browsing published tenders is free, and there is no Etimad subscription fee for suppliers - a common misconception. You only pay once you choose to act on a specific tender.
The tender documents fee (كراسة الشروط)
To bid, you buy that tender's conditions booklet and bill of quantities. The fee is set per tender by the buying entity - tied to the actual cost of the documents under the regulations - and you pay it through SADAD using Etimad's biller code (141). Two practical rules: print the booklet in color and attach the purchase invoice with your offer, and remember the fee is generally non-refundable, even if you do not win or do not meet the qualification requirements.
The guarantees the law requires
The larger numbers are the bank guarantees set by the Government Tenders and Procurement Law:
| Guarantee | When | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Initial (bid) guarantee - الضمان الابتدائي | Submitted with your offer on higher-value open competitions | 1%–2% of your bid value |
| Final (performance) guarantee - الضمان النهائي | After you win, before signing the contract | 5% of the contract value |
These are issued by a Saudi-licensed bank, so your actual cash cost is the bank's issuance fee - not the full percentage. The initial guarantee is returned after the process concludes; the final guarantee is released once you complete the contract. Some lower-value or specific competitions waive the initial guarantee, so always read the booklet.
VAT and other costs to expect
- VAT (15%) may apply to the document fee and to your priced offer - check each tender's terms.
- Your own bid-preparation cost - staff time, classifications, and certificates - is the largest "hidden" cost for most companies.
- Keeping mandatory certificates valid (CR, Chamber of Commerce, ZATCA, GOSI) carries its own renewal costs, separate from Etimad.
The platform is cheap to be on. The expensive mistakes are bidding on the wrong tenders, or losing a paid booklet to a disqualification you could have avoided. Both are about choosing and preparing well - not about Etimad's fees.
So what does it really cost to bid?
For a typical open competition, the cost is the document fee (per tender) plus your bank's guarantee-issuance fees plus your internal preparation effort. None of it is a flat Etimad charge. The smartest way to control cost is to be selective: pursue the tenders you are genuinely qualified for and can win, and get the compliance right the first time so a paid booklet never becomes a wasted one.
Our team helps companies pick the right competitions and prepare compliant offers, so the money you spend on bidding goes toward tenders you can actually win.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a subscription fee for Etimad?
No. Registering and browsing tenders is free for suppliers; you pay only per-tender document fees and your own guarantee costs.
How much is the conditions booklet?
It varies by tender - the buying entity sets the fee for each competition, paid via SADAD. There is no single fixed price across all tenders.
Is the booklet fee refundable?
Generally no. If you do not win, or do not meet the qualification requirements, the booklet value is not refunded - so choose the tenders you buy into carefully.
How much is the bid guarantee?
The initial (bid) guarantee is typically 1%–2% of your bid value; the final (performance) guarantee is 5% of the contract value. Both are issued by a Saudi-licensed bank.
How do I pay Etimad fees?
Through SADAD, using the invoice Etimad issues for the document purchase or any other dues.