Shipping From China to Saudi Arabia
If you need to ship goods from China to Saudi Arabia, we provide you with a variety of logistics solutions to ensure that the goods arrive smoothly in major cities and ports in Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Whether it is an urgent air freight demand or a large-scale sea freight service, we can provide you with personalized logistics options to achieve your transportation goals in the best way.
Air freight service is suitable for goods that need to be transported quickly, usually within 3 to 7 days. We can deliver goods to major airports in Saudi Arabia, such as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
Ocean freight service is ideal for large quantities of goods, with a transportation time of 20 to 30 days. Our main destination ports include Jeddah Port, Dammam Port, and Yanbu Port, providing a wide range of destination options for your goods.
Choose Ubest Shipping to enjoy a worry-free logistics experience from China to Saudi Arabia and ensure that your goods arrive safely and on time.
What can we do when shipping from China to Saudi Arabia?
Sea freight FCL from China to Saudi Arabia
- Shipping from China to Jeddah Port, Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia
- Reliable shipping schedule, on-time delivery, cheap freight
- Container Shipping: 20ft container, 40ft container, 40HQ container
Sea freight LCL from China to Saudi Arabia
- Consolidate multiple shipments into one container
- Competitive freight rates based on cubic meters or tons
- Collect shipments from different suppliers in different cities
Air freight from China to Saudi Arabia
- Our air freight service flies directly from major airports in China to Saudi Arabia
- Quickly respond to market demand and offer competitive air freight prices
- It takes 2 to 5 days to air freight from China to Iraq
Express delivery service from China to Saudi Arabia
- Express delivery from China to any city in Saudi Arabia
- Super fast, 1 to 3 days to Saudi Arabia
- Huge discounts on DHL, UPS, Fedex, TNT, EMS, SF Express
Door to Door Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
- Shipping from any city in China to the warehouse in the Saudi Arabia
- Including Saudi Arabia customs duties and taxes (DDP/DDU)
- Charged per cubic meter or per kilogram
DDP Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
- Provide one-stop service from China to Saudi Arabia warehouse
- DDP service, all tariffs and taxes included, reduce cost risks.
- Flexibly choose the mode of transportation to ensure the fast and safe arrival of goods.
Content Guidelines
Guide to Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
China has become Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner since 2013. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between China and Saudi Arabia was US$107.23 billion, of which China’s exports to Saudi Arabia were US$42.86 billion.
There are many companies and individuals who need to import goods from China to Saudi Arabia, and their supply chains will undoubtedly rely on shipping from China to Saudi Arabia by sea or air.
What are the shipping methods from China to Saudi Arabia?
Ocean Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Shipping your goods from China to Saudi Arabia in a shared container with other shippers’ goods is called LCL shipping. This option is often the most affordable when your goods are not enough to fill a container.
- Full container load (FCL): Shipping a container from China to Saudi Arabia with goods belonging to only one shipper. For a fixed fee, you can dedicate the container to shipping your products. This is a great way to ship larger, heavier goods at a fixed price.Standard sea containers typically come in two sizes: 20 feet and 40 feet.
Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
If you need to export goods from China to Saudi Arabia urgently, air freight may be the right choice. However, you will need to bear higher costs as air freight is usually much more expensive than ocean freight.
Express Delivery from China to Saudi Arabia
Using global couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS, express delivery is ideal for urgent delivery of small packages and time-sensitive documents, with fast delivery within 1-2 days and real-time tracking.
Door to Door Shipping (DDP Service) from China to Saudi Arabia
Increasingly popular among businesses with large volumes of cargo, the DDP service handles the entire logistics process, including customs clearance, taxes, and duties. This option ensures reliability, faster transit times compared to ocean freight, and cost-effectiveness.
You may also be interested in: How to Import Goods from China to Saudi Arabia
Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
- Large capacity: Since ships are large transport vehicles with large deadweights, they can transport a large amount of goods in a single voyage.
- Low cost: Overall, sea freight has lower costs compared to other modes of transportation, partly due to the large capacity of ships and high transportation efficiency.
- Ability to transport a variety of goods: Ships are able to transport goods of various sizes, weights, and shapes. It can transport bulk goods, cars, heavy equipment, etc.
- Abundant ports: Allows ships to reach many different ports in Saudi Arabia. In addition, ports facilitate loading and unloading, customs clearance, and warehousing.
- Delivery time: Sea freight takes 20 to 30 days to reach the destination port in Saudi Arabia.
- Insurance and maritime risks: Shipping is susceptible to maritime risks such as drowning, collision, theft and piracy. Cargo may need to be insured according to maritime laws and regulations, which will increase costs.
- Storage and handling restrictions: Ocean freight requires cargo to be stored in containers or ship parts, which may mean that special equipment such as container cranes must be used to load and unload cargo. This can pose challenges in formatting, arranging and storing in limited space.
- Dealing with customs documents and procedures: Ocean freight involves customs formalities and dealing with documents such as bills of lading, certificates of title and certificates of origin.
| Chinese Port | Saudi Arabian Port | 20ft container | 40ft container | LCL (per cbm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dammam Port | $1,500 – $1,800 | $2,000 – $3,000 | $45 – $75 |
| Shenzhen | Jubail Commercial Port | $1,600 – $2,000 | $2,200 – $3,200 | $40 – $70 |
| Guangzhou | Yanbu Commercial Port | $1,550 – $1,850 | $1,950 – $2,550 | $48 – $78 |
| Tianjin | Jizan Economic City Port | $1,500 – $2,100 | $2,000 – $2,800 | $55 – $85 |
| Ningbo | King Fahd (Yanbu) | $1,600 – $2,100 | $2,100 – $3,000 | $45 – $75 |
| Qingdao | Jeddah Islamic Port | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,900 – $2,850 | $50 – $80 |
| Xiamen | King Fahd (Jubail) | $1,650 – $2,250 | $1,850 – $2,650 | $58 – $78 |
| Dalian | Ras Al Khair Port | $1,600 – $2,300 | $2,000 – $3,100 | $55 – $75 |
| Fuzhou | Ras Tanura Port | $1,550 – $2,250 | $2,100 – $3,000 | $45 – $75 |
| Chongqing | Dammam Port | $1,600 – $2,300 | $2,200 – $3,200 | $50 – $80 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia
Major Ports in Saudi Arabia
There are several ports in China that are major shipping hubs to Saudi Arabia, such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Shenzhen. The ports in Saudi Arabia are as follows:
Red Sea Ports
- Jizan Port
Duba Port
Jeddah Islamic Port
Yanbu Commercial Port
King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu
Persian Gulf Ports
- Ras Tanura Port
Ras Al Khair Port
Ras Mi Shab Port
Jubail Commercial Port
King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam
Introduction to Major Ports in Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah Port
Location and throughput: Located in King Abdullah Economic City on the west coast of the Red Sea, the port has risen rapidly due to its strategic location and less congestion than Jeddah Port. The port’s cargo volume is about 2.3 million TEUs.
Major trading partners and strategic importance: Major trading partners include China, India, the United States, the UAE and Singapore. Its modern terminal system and location close to the fast-growing markets of central Saudi Arabia and Africa highlight its strategic importance. - Jeddah Islamic Port
Location and throughput: Located in the middle of the important international shipping route between the east and west of Jeddah City, it is Saudi Arabia’s busiest port with an annual throughput of more than 4 million TEUs.
Major trading partners and strategic importance: Major partners include China, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and India. Its strategic importance lies in its role as a gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. - Riyadh Port
Location and throughput: Located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, this important facility is the largest inland shipping and container handling port and is less than a day’s drive from three other ports in the Gulf region. Its handling capacity is approximately 600,000 TEUs. - Port of Dammam
Location and volume: Located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the world’s most oil-rich region, with an annual throughput of more than one million TEUs.
Major trading partners and strategic importance: The port’s major trading partners are China, the United States, South Korea and Japan. The port has an important position in the energy sector due to its proximity to the world’s largest oil reserves.
Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Air freight is a popular way to ship goods from China to Saudi Arabia because it is fast, reliable and efficient, so it is also the preferred mode of transport for high-value or time-sensitive goods. Although air freight has a higher cost. However, the shorter the shipping time, the higher the security and the less likely it is to be damaged or lost.
For example, a shipment of electronic products weighing 100 kg from Shenzhen, China to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia can be transported by air freight. The estimated shipping time for this shipment is about 3 to 5 days, and the cost is estimated to be US$500 to $1,000.
Advantages of Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
- Fast delivery: Compared with other modes such as sea freight, it greatly reduces transportation time and logistics procedures, and it takes an average of 5 days to transport goods from China to Saudi Arabia.
- Safety and security: The aviation industry adopts strict safety and security standards. The goods are packed in sealed containers and tracked by advanced monitoring and surveillance technology. It is able to transport valuable and sensitive goods such as electronics, medical equipment and luxury goods safely and efficiently. The goods can be guaranteed to arrive intact.
- Have a wide network of airports: China, Saudi Arabia and many other countries have international airports, which can provide comprehensive coverage and easy access to the desired destination.
Disadvantages of Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia:
- Cost: Air freight costs include high freight, airport and handling fees, and insurance premiums.
- Size and weight restrictions: Goods must comply with air freight restrictions and the safety and operating rules of airlines. Some products are prohibited from being transported by air due to security restrictions or international laws.
Airport routes from China to Saudi Arabia include:
China:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Saudi Arabia:
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Air freight cost per kg from China to Saudi Arabia
| Origin (China) | Destination (Saudi Arabia) | Estimated Price per kg (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Riyadh | $5.20 – $8.80 |
| Beijing | Jeddah | $5.50 – $7.50 |
| Shenzhen | Dammam | $5.40 – $7.00 |
| Guangzhou | Riyadh | $5.60 – $7.30 |
| Chengdu | Jeddah | $5.00 – $6.80 |
| Tianjin | Dammam | $5.10 – $7.00 |
| Wuhan | Riyadh | $5.30 – $7.20 |
| Hangzhou | Jeddah | $5.20 – $7.10 |
| Chongqing | Dammam | $5.40 – $7.30 |
| Nanjing | Riyadh | $5.50 – $7.40 |
| Xiamen | Jeddah | $5.60 – $7.50 |
| Ningbo | Dammam | $5.70 – $7.60 |
| Qingdao | Al-Jawf | $5.80 – $7.70 |
| Zhengzhou | Tabarjal | $6.30 – $8.30 |
| Changsha | Bisha | $6.40 – $8.40 |
| Dalian | Al-Wajh | $6.90 – $8.90 |
Major Airports in Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International Airport
Cargo Volume: Over 800,000 metric tons per year.
Strategic Importance: As the main international airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, this hub is centrally located to connect the Middle East’s largest country to global trade networks.
King Fahd International Airport
Cargo Volume: Over 360,000 metric tons per year.
Strategic Importance: Located in Dammam, this airport is the busiest airport in the Eastern Province and is strategically located near major oil companies.
Notable Features: This airport is one of the largest in the world by area and has state-of-the-art cargo facilities and a dedicated logistics park.
Suitable for Your Business: If your business frequently moves machinery, equipment or other heavier cargo, consider this airport as it has excellent cargo handling facilities and is close to major industrial areas.
King Abdulaziz International Airport
Cargo Volume: Over 500,000 metric tons per year.
Strategic Importance: Strategically located in Jeddah, it is the gateway to the holy city of Mecca. It is also Saudi Arabia’s busiest airport during the Hajj season.
For companies importing goods from China to Saudi Arabia, shipping time is one of the key considerations. Different modes of transportation and port times are different. Generally, air freight takes 3 to 7 days, seaport to port transportation time (full container) is about 18-25 days, and LCL is about 20-30 days. Please refer to the table below:
Shipping container time from China (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao) to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh).
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of destination) | Transit time |
| Shanghai | Jeddah | 20 days |
| Shanghai | Dammam | 22 days |
| Shanghai | Riyadh | 24 days |
| Shenzhen | Jeddah | 21 days |
| Shenzhen | Dammam | 22 days |
| Shenzhen | Riyadh | 21 days |
| Qingdao | Jeddah | 25 days |
| Qingdao | Dammam | 26 days |
| Qingdao | Riyadh | 27 days |
Door to Door Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
Sometimes clients may not be interested in dealing with shipping, customs clearance, documentation, they just want to find a freight forwarder who can take care of everything i.e. deliver their goods door to door from China to Arabia.
Using door-to-door shipping services can significantly improve the logistics process for businesses shipping goods from China to Saudi Arabia. These services simplify every logistics stage, from pickup at the supplier in China to delivery at the recipient’s doorstep in Saudi Arabia.
Door-to-door shipping process from China to Saudi Arabia
- Receive goods from China factory
Pick-up service: Ubest Shipping arranges to pick up the goods from the supplier’s warehouse or factory in China.
Packaging and Labeling: Ensure goods are properly packed and labeled in accordance with international shipping standards to prevent damage and meet regulatory requirements.
Export Documents: Process all necessary export documents to facilitate smooth customs clearance in China. - Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
Ocean Freight: Cost-effective ocean freight solutions for large and heavy cargo, including Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) options.
Air Freight: Provide fast and reliable air freight services for time-sensitive and high-value cargo, ensuring fast delivery. - Customs clearance in Saudi Arabia
Professional Customs Clearance Services: Ubest Shipping’s experienced customs clearance team handles all import formalities into Saudi Arabia, ensuring compliance with local regulations and minimizing delays.
Duties and Taxes: Manage the payment of all import duties, taxes and fees, providing a clear cost structure. - Shipping goods to Saudi Arabia delivery address
Local Delivery: Arrange for shipment from the port of arrival or airport in Saudi Arabia to the final delivery address, whether it is a warehouse, distribution center or retail location.
DDP Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) is one of the international trade terms. Under the DDP terms, the seller bears all risks and costs of delivering the goods to the designated destination, including freight, export and import duties, insurance, and any other costs incurred during transportation.
DDP Shipping Process from China to Saudi Arabia
- Confirming the Order and Contract
The buyer and seller agree on the DDP terms and sign a contract to clarify their respective responsibilities and costs.
Preparing the Goods
The seller prepares the goods, including appropriate packaging and labeling to ensure compliance with Saudi Arabia’s import requirements. - Domestic Transportation and Export Customs Clearance in China
The seller arranges for the transportation of the goods to the Chinese port or airport and handles all export customs clearance procedures, including submitting the necessary documents and paying the relevant fees. - International Transportation
The goods are transported from China to Saudi Arabia by sea, air or rail. The seller chooses the most appropriate mode of transportation to ensure the safe and timely arrival of the goods. - Saudi Arabia Import Customs Clearance
Once the goods arrive in Saudi Arabia, the seller is responsible for handling the import customs clearance procedures. This includes submitting the necessary documents, paying import duties and taxes, and ensuring that the goods comply with Saudi Arabia’s regulations. - Final Delivery
After customs clearance is completed, the seller arranges for the goods to be transported to the buyer’s designated location, usually a warehouse, factory or store.
DDP shipping price from China to Saudi Arabia
| POL | POD | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDP sea freight | China | Saudi Arabia | USD 120/CBM |
| DDP air freight | China | Saudi Arabia | USD 12/kg |
- Commercial invoice: It must meet the requirements of Saudi customs, including the value of the goods and the seller and buyer information. Packing list: List the specifications, quantity, weight and packaging information of the goods.
- Bill of Lading: A bill of lading is required for sea transportation and an airway bill for air transportation.
- Certificate of Origin: A certificate of origin issued by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce or relevant institutions must be provided.
- Product Certificate of Conformity (SASO Certification): Some products (such as electrical appliances and consumer products) must comply with the standards of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) and provide the corresponding certificate of conformity.
- Import License: Certain specific products (such as medicines, food, and cosmetics) may require a Saudi import license.
Import Taxes and Duties in Saudi Arabia
Import taxes and duties significantly increase the cost of shipping goods from China to Saudi Arabia. These charges mainly include value-added tax (VAT), which is 15% in Saudi Arabia, and customs duties, which vary depending on the type and origin of the goods.
For example, electronic products imported from China may face a customs duty rate of 5-20%, depending on their classification under the Harmonized System (HS) code. These taxes are assessed on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) of the goods, which means that all transportation and insurance costs to the port of entry are included in the tax base.
| Product Type | HS Code | Customs Duty | Additional Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 85 | 5-20% | 15% VAT |
| Machinery | 84 | 5-15% | 15% VAT |
| Textiles | 61-63 | 12% | 15% VAT |
| Toys | 95 | 10-20% | 15% VAT |
| Furniture | 94 | 15% | 15% VAT |
How to calculate tariffs
Suppose you ship electronics from China to Saudi Arabia and the costs are as follows:
Product cost: $10,000
Insurance: $200
Freight $600
Tariff rate: 5%
So, the tariff is: Tariff = CIF value × Tariff rate
CIF value = (cost of goods + insurance + freight)
CIF value = ($10,000 + $200 + $600) = $10,800
Tariff = $10,800 × 5% = $540
Role of Freight Forwarders in the Shipping Process:
- Freight forwarders are vital intermediaries in the international shipping industry, especially in facilitating freight shipments from China to Saudi Arabia. They play a variety of roles, including:
- Documentation handling: managing all necessary documentation required for international shipping, ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
- Customs clearance: handling complex customs protocols to avoid delays and additional costs.
- Cargo tracking: providing real-time updates on the whereabouts of your cargo, improving transparency and enhancing security.
Why choose Ubest as your freight forwarder for importing and shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
Ubest Shipping is a leading freight forwarder in China, specializing in shipping from China to other countries, regularly shipping goods from China to Saudi Arabia by sea and air, with rich experience, we work with businesses large and small.