Container Shipping to Saudi Arabia — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Saudi Arabia?
- High-capacity ports. Saudi ports handled over 320 million t of cargo in 2024 and container moves grew to 711 000 TEU in December alone, so weekly space is plentiful even in peak season. (arabnews.com)
- Multiple deep-sea gateways. Jeddah Islamic Port remains the kingdom’s main box hub, while King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam topped 2.31 million TEU in 2023 and keeps setting monthly TEU records. (argaam.com, porttechnology.org)
- Predictable landed-cost model. Imports face a flat 5 % GCC customs duty (with few exceptions) plus 15 % VAT, both of which our platform pre-calculates so clearance never stalls. (cleartax.com, taxsummaries.pwc.com)
- Rapid air-cargo fallback. Saudi airports moved ≈ 1.2 million t of freight in 2024; urgent loads reach Riyadh (RUH) or Jeddah (JED) in 3-7 days. (stats.gov.sa)
Our Container Shipping Services to Saudi Arabia
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Most industrial and FMCG importers choose FCL for bulk cargo—automotive spares, consumer electronics, foodstuffs—moving straight into Jeddah, Dammam or King Abdullah Port with 20', 40', 40'HC and reefer options.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL) Shipping
SMEs cut freight spend up to 50 % on consignments under 15 m³ via our weekly LCL consolidations that de-van in bonded depots at Jeddah and Dammam—ideal for e-commerce restocks and sample orders.
Popular mode: FCL dominates oil-&-gas and retail supply chains; LCL is rising for cross-border Amazon and Shopify sellers.
Major ports / airport served: Jeddah Islamic, King Abdulaziz (Dammam), King Abdullah; urgent air via RUH (Riyadh) & JED (Jeddah).
Typical cargo: Petro-chem equipment, packaged foods, consumer electronics, building materials.
Transit-time refs:
• Shanghai → Jeddah: ≈ 33 days port-to-port.
• Hamburg → Dammam: ≈ 28–35 days via Red-Sea route.
Country-specific challenge: Shuwaikh-style draft limits don’t apply, yet trans-shipment via Jebel Ali is common—book 6 weeks ahead of Ramadan to secure slots.
Alternative option: Air freight (3–7 days door-to-door) for pharma, AOG parts and high-value electronics.
Container shipping rates to Saudi Arabia
How much does it cost to ship a container to Saudi Arabia?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Saudi Arabia?
- East Asia → Jeddah/Dammam: 26–38 days
- North Europe → Jeddah/Dammam: 28–35 days
- U.S. East Coast → Jeddah: 30–35 days (Med trans-ship)
- Air freight via RUH/JED: 3–7 days door-to-door.
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Saudi Arabia
Asia-Gulf loops run Shanghai / Ningbo → Jebel Ali → Jeddah/Dammam weekly; North-Europe services sail via Suez into Jeddah, while Mediterranean feeders link Valencia, Gioia Tauro and Port Said onward to Red-Sea hubs.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Quote: Enter origin, destination and cargo details for an instant rate.
- Upload docs: Commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
- Book & pay securely online.
- Track: Follow vessel, trans-ship and customs milestones in real time.
- Clear: Pay 5 % duty + 15 % VAT (or duty-free if exempt) and release your box. (cleartax.com, taxsummaries.pwc.com)
- Deliver: Arrange last-mile trucking to warehouse, free-zone or project site.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Saudi Arabia?
Common commodities
- Oil-&-gas spares
- Packaged foods
- Consumer electronics
- Construction steel
- Automobiles & parts
Restricted / Prohibited
Alcohol, pork products, counterfeit brands, certain chemicals without SFDA permit.
Main ports in Saudi Arabia
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Saudi Arabia
Yes—Saudi Arabia levies 15 % VAT in addition to the 5 % customs duty. (taxsummaries.pwc.com)
Absolutely—under 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40–60 %.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Reserve space 6–8 weeks ahead of the holy-month surge to avoid roll-overs and rate hikes.