Ports and airports we use
| Origin | Destination | Mode | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen, Ningbo | Jeddah Islamic Port | Sea FCL/LCL | 2-3x weekly |
| Shanghai, Ningbo | Dammam (King Abdulaziz Port) | Sea FCL/LCL | 2x weekly |
| Shenzhen | KAEC (King Abdullah Port) | Sea FCL | Weekly |
| PVG, HKG, CAN | RUH (King Khalid Intl) | Air | Daily |
| PVG, HKG | JED (King Abdulaziz Intl) | Air | Daily |
Sea freight rates and transit
Reference rates as of May 2026. All-in to port of discharge.
| Service | Jeddah | Dammam | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL (per CBM) | $55 | $50 | 28-35 days |
| FCL 20' GP | $1,875 | $1,800 | 25-32 days |
| FCL 40' HQ | $2,200 | $2,150 | 25-32 days |
Air freight rates and transit
| Service | Rate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard air (45+ kg) | $5.40/kg | 5-8 days |
| Express air | $13.00/kg | 3-5 days |
Sailing schedule
LCL consolidation cut-off in Guangzhou is Wednesday for the Friday vessel to Jeddah and Tuesday for the Thursday vessel to Dammam. FCL bookings are flexible. Add five to ten working days for SABER processing and ZATCA clearance after arrival.
Saudi customs, ZATCA and SABER
ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority) collects duty and VAT at the border. Standard duty is 5 percent on CIF, VAT is 15 percent on CIF plus duty. Importers need a valid Saudi commercial registration and a ZATCA importer profile.
Almost every regulated category requires SABER conformity: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) valid for one year per product, plus a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) per consignment. Electronics also need IECEE CB certificates, low-voltage products need SASO 2902, and energy-using appliances need SASO energy efficiency labels. Food products require SFDA registration of the manufacturer and halal certification for animal-derived items.
DDP example: 8 CBM, 1,200 kg, general goods to Riyadh
Indicative breakdown, sea LCL via Dammam to a Riyadh warehouse, declared CIF value $15,000:
| Cost line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sea LCL freight (8 CBM x $50) | $400 |
| Origin handling, docs, export customs | $140 |
| SABER PCoC + SCoC | $350 |
| Destination handling Dammam | $220 |
| KSA duty (5% of CIF $15,000) | $750 |
| KSA VAT (15% of CIF + duty) | $2,362 |
| Trucking Dammam to Riyadh | $320 |
| Total DDP add-on | ~$4,542 |
All figures are indicative within roughly 20 percent. The 15 percent VAT is the largest line and is recoverable for VAT-registered importers. Request a written quote for exact numbers.