As global trade continues to grow, bilateral trade relations between China and Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly close. Businesses and individuals are looking for ways to ship goods from China to Saudi Arabia at the lowest cost. This article will introduce shipping companies from China to Saudi Arabia, covering different shipping methods, selection criteria, and how to find the most suitable logistics partner.
Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
Sea Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Sea freight is the most commonly used logistics method from China to Saudi Arabia, suitable for large-volume, low-cost cargo transportation. The main ports in Saudi Arabia include Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu. There are two main services:
- Full container load (FCL): Full container load means that the shipper rents one or more containers and fills them with their own goods for transportation. It is suitable for large-volume and large-volume goods.
- Less than container load (LCL): Less than container load is suitable for customers with a small amount of goods. The goods of multiple shippers are loaded in the same container, and the cost is shared according to the volume or weight of the goods.
Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Air freight is mainly used for medium and large-volume, high-value or time-sensitive cargo transportation, but compared with express delivery, air freight usually handles larger-scale commercial goods. The following are the main types of air freight:
- Air freight: Suitable for large-volume goods, such as electronic products, mechanical equipment, clothing, and daily necessities.Air freight is faster than sea freight and usually arrives in Saudi Arabia within 3-7 days, depending on the departure and destination airports.The cost is high and is charged by weight or volume. Suitable for medium and large quantities of goods.
- Express delivery service: It is for small quantities, high value, and time-sensitive goods, such as documents, samples, and small electronic products. Express delivery service is more flexible than air transport for small goods. International express delivery usually provides door-to-door service throughout the journey, so customers do not need to worry about the transit problem after transportation.
Cost of Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
Cost of Sea freight to Saudi Arabia from China
Ocean freight costs are usually calculated based on the weight and volume of the goods, and are also affected by factors such as weather, seasonality, and demand fluctuations. The following are average prices:
| POL (Port of Loading) | POD (Port of Discharge) | LCL (USD/m³) | 20ft container (20ft, USD) | 40ft container (40ft, USD) |
| Tianjin Port | Jeddah Islamic Port | $105-$180/m³ | $2,500 – $3,000 | $3,210-$4,650 |
| Tianjin Port | Dammam Port | $110-$190/m³ | $2,400 – $2,900 | $3,110-$4,530 |
| Tianjin Port | Jubail Port | $102-$183/m³ | $2,350 – $2,950 | $3,160-$4,630 |
| Shanghai Port | Jeddah Islamic Port | $106-$192/m³ | $2,550 – $3,000 | $3,270-$4,550 |
| Shanghai Port | Dammam Port | $103-$187/m³ | $2,450 – $2,800 | $3,130-$4,680 |
| Shanghai Port | Jubail Port | $108-$193/m³ | $2,430 – $2,860 | $3,240-$4,660 |
| Ningbo Port | Jeddah Islamic Port | $105-$185/m³ | $2,360 – $2,900 | $3,320-$4,850 |
| Ningbo Port | Dammam Port | $104-$192/m³ | $2,460 – $2,850 | $3,170-$4,750 |
| Ningbo Port | Jubail Port | $107-$185/m³ | $2,530 – $2,900 | $3,210-$4,760 |
| Shenzhen Port | Jeddah Islamic Port | $104-$196/m³ | $2,340 – $2,860 | $3,190-$4,790 |
| Shenzhen Port | Dammam Port | $103-$186/m³ | $2,470 – $2,800 | $3,260-$4,750 |
| Shenzhen Port | Jubail Port | $102-$183/m³ | $2,410 – $2,750 | $3,110-$4,760 |
Cost of Air freight to Saudi Arabia from China
Air freight costs are usually calculated based on the weight or volume of the goods. For goods under 100KG, it is usually between 5-10 USD/kg, and for goods over 100kg, it is about 4-8 USD/kg
Express delivery costs are generally higher than air freight, but provide faster door-to-door service. Small packages are usually 10-20 USD/kg. Goods over 5 kg: about 8-15 USD per kg.
Learn more: How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Oman
Considerations for Choosing Shipping Company
Service network and transportation capabilities
It is important to choose a shipping company with a wide network in both China and Saudi Arabia. Make sure the company has an experienced team that can handle all aspects from pickup, warehousing to customs clearance.
Shipping time
Choose the right mode of transportation based on the urgency of the goods. If the goods are time-sensitive, you can choose air transportation. If the time requirement is not high, sea transportation is a more economical choice.
Price and cost transparency
Choose a company that provides a transparent price structure to ensure that there are no hidden fees throughout the transportation process. Compare quotes from different companies, especially when dealing with additional fees for customs clearance, warehousing.
Customs clearance capabilities
Customs clearance is the most complicated part of the process of shipping from China to Saudi Arabia. Choosing a shipping company with experience to handle the complex customs clearance process in Saudi Arabia is key to avoiding delays. Find out if the company can provide customs clearance agency services.
Shipping Companies and Services from China to Saudi Arabia
- COSCO Shipping
China Ocean Shipping Group, as a leading global shipping company, provides a wide range of shipping services from China to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. COSCO has a very high route density and port coverage in China, suitable for all types of corporate customers. - China Southern Cargo
The cargo division of China Southern Airlines provides direct cargo flights from China to Saudi Arabia, covering major cities in China and several major airports in Saudi Arabia, suitable for diverse cargo transportation needs. - Sinotrans
Sinotrans is a leading integrated logistics company in China, providing comprehensive sea and air transportation services, covering door-to-door services from China to Saudi Arabia. With its rich experience and extensive overseas network, it is able to provide customers with efficient logistics solutions, especially in customs clearance and integrated logistics management. - SF International
SF is one of the leading express and logistics companies in China, providing air, sea and cross-border e-commerce logistics solutions from China to Saudi Arabia. SF’s international logistics services are characterized by fast timeliness and transparent prices, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and e-commerce merchants, especially in efficient air transportation and small-volume cargo transportation.
Tips for Negotiating the Cheapest Shipping Rates
In order to get the most competitive shipping costs, the following points can help you negotiate with logistics companies:
Bulk Negotiation
If your order volume is large or you have long-term cooperation, you can negotiate volume discounts with the freight forwarding company. Many freight forwarding companies are willing to provide more favorable prices to long-term cooperative customers.
Compare Quotes from Different Freight Forwarders
There may be differences in quotations between freight forwarding companies, and you can find better prices through comparison.
Take Advantage of Preferential Policies
Some freight forwarding companies may provide new customer discounts, long-term cooperation discounts, etc. Using these policies can reduce shipping costs.
Provide Accurate Dimensions and Weights
Accurately providing the dimensions and weight of your shipment can significantly impact the freight rates offered by shipping companies. Providing accurate data helps freight forwarders accurately assess shipping costs, minimizing any additional charges due to discrepancies that may arise later. By providing accurate weights and dimensions, you may qualify for a better pricing tier or discount, as many suppliers have specific thresholds for different rates.
Flexible Shipping Time
If the shipment is not urgent, shipping costs can fluctuate significantly based on demand and seasonal trends. By scheduling shipments during off-peak hours, you can enjoy lower rates
Use LCL Shipping
For goods that are less than a full box, LCL transportation is an effective way to reduce freight costs. Sharing the cost of a container with other shippers helps avoid full container fees.
Freight Insurance
Although insurance is an additional cost, it reduces the risk of cargo loss. When negotiating, explore all-inclusive quotes that include insurance to get a transparent total cost.
Why Choose Ubest Shipping Freight Forwarder
Choosing the right freight forwarder is one of the keys to successfully controlling logistics costs. Ubest Shipping has several advantages in its transportation services from China to Saudi Arabia.
Rich Industry Experience
Ubest Shipping has many years of experience in the international logistics industry, especially in the freight business from China to Saudi Arabia. It is familiar with the special needs and customs rules of the Middle East market to ensure smooth customs clearance of goods.
High-quality Service Quality
Ubest Shipping focuses on customer experience and service quality, providing one-stop services such as full tracking and customs declaration assistance to ensure that goods arrive at their destination safely and on time
Efficient Customs Clearance Service
Saudi Arabia has complex customs clearance regulations, especially in terms of import tariffs and regulations. Ubest Shipping can assist customers in preparing all necessary documents, simplifying the customs clearance process, and avoiding unnecessary delays and fines.
Flexible Transportation Solutions
Ubest Shipping provides a variety of transportation methods, including sea and air transportation, tailoring the best logistics solutions for customers, and helping customers choose the most suitable transportation method according to the type of goods and budget.
Competitive Shipping Rates
With an extensive global network and partnerships with major shipping companies, Ubest Shipping is able to offer the most competitive shipping rates. In addition, long-term cooperative customers can enjoy additional discounts and offers.
There are many ways to ship from China to Saudi Arabia, each with different costs and timeliness. This article will help you find the most cost-effective shipping solution. With its rich experience, high-quality services and competitive prices, Ubest Shipping has become the preferred logistics partner for many customers, helping you deliver your goods to Saudi Arabia in the most economical way.