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.
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
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.
Common commodities
Restricted / Prohibited
Alcohol, pork products, counterfeit brands, certain chemicals without SFDA permit.
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.