Freight to Saudi Arabia from the UK
Saudi Arabia is our fastest-growing trade lane. Vision 2030 has transformed the Kingdom into a massive importer of construction materials, healthcare equipment, technology and consumer goods. We ship air and sea freight to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Jubail daily. We know SABER certification, SALEEM import permits and Saudi customs procedures because we process them every week.
Air Transit
1-2 days
Heathrow to Riyadh
Sea Transit
18-24 days
UK to Jeddah
Departures
Daily
Air via Saudi & Emirates
Fastest Growing
No. 1
Our fastest-growing trade lane
Our Services
How We Ship to Saudi Arabia
Air Freight
Daily flights from Heathrow to King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh), King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam). Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo, British Airways and Emirates provide strong capacity. Transit: 1-2 days.
- 1-2 day transit to Riyadh and Jeddah
- Daily departures from Heathrow
- Express and consolidation options
- Temperature-controlled for pharma
Sea Freight
FCL and LCL services to Jeddah Islamic Port (Red Sea coast) and King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Arabian Gulf). Jeddah takes 18-24 days, Dammam 20-26 days from UK ports. We also ship to Jubail Commercial Port for industrial cargo and Yanbu for western region delivery.
- 18-24 days to Jeddah Islamic Port
- 20-26 days to Dammam
- Weekly FCL and LCL departures
- Project cargo and breakbulk
Inland Distribution
Saudi Arabia is vast. Jeddah to Riyadh is over 900km. Our Saudi agents arrange bonded trucking between ports and inland cities including Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk and the NEOM project zone. For Dammam-area deliveries, we serve Jubail, Al Khobar and Hofuf. Warehousing in Riyadh and Jeddah available.
- Jeddah to Riyadh: 1-2 days by road
- Dammam to Riyadh: same-day possible
- NEOM and project site delivery
- Bonded warehousing in Riyadh & Jeddah
Compliance
Customs & SABER Compliance
Saudi Arabia has modernised its import compliance system through SABER -- the electronic platform that manages product certification. Most goods require a SABER-issued Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a per-shipment Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Without these, your cargo will not clear customs.
The process involves registering your product details on the SABER platform, testing through an accredited conformity assessment body and obtaining certificates before shipping. For food and pharmaceutical products, SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) registration is required separately. SALEEM is the electronic import permit system that must be completed before arrival.
We process SABER certifications weekly for our clients. We know which product categories fall under which technical regulations, which conformity bodies process fastest and how to structure shipments to minimise certification costs. For first-time exporters to Saudi Arabia, we walk you through the full compliance process before you commit to shipping.
Key Documentation
SABER Product Certificate (PCoC)
Product-level conformity certificate via SABER platform
SABER Shipment Certificate (SCoC)
Per-shipment conformity certificate -- required for customs
SALEEM Import Permit
Electronic import permit via FASAH single-window
Commercial Invoice
Legalised by Arab-British Chamber of Commerce if required
Certificate of Origin
Chamber-certified, may need Saudi embassy attestation
Halal Certificate
Mandatory for all food, beverage and cosmetic products
SFDA Registration
For food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Transport document -- consignee must match import licence
What We Ship
Common Cargo Types to Saudi Arabia
Construction & Infrastructure
Steel, MEP systems, cladding, specialist fit-out materials and heavy plant for NEOM, The Line, Diriyah Gate, Red Sea and other Vision 2030 mega-projects.
Healthcare & Medical Equipment
Hospital fit-out equipment, diagnostic machines, pharmaceuticals and medical consumables. Saudi Arabia is building dozens of new hospitals and healthcare facilities under Vision 2030.
Oil & Gas Equipment
Drilling equipment, valves, pipeline fittings, production components and industrial spare parts for the Eastern Province energy sector. Jubail and Dammam port delivery.
Consumer Goods & FMCG
Food products, cosmetics, personal care and household goods. All food imports require halal certification. SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) registration for regulated products.
Vehicles & Automotive Parts
Cars, commercial vehicles, spare parts and automotive components. SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) certification required. Dammam is the main vehicle import port.
Exhibition & Event Cargo
Trade show equipment, display stands and samples for Saudi events including the Riyadh Season, LEAP Tech and Saudi Build. Temporary import and ATA Carnet procedures handled.
Vision 2030: Why Saudi Freight Demand Is Surging
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme has created unprecedented demand for imported goods. NEOM, The Line, Diriyah Gate, the Red Sea tourism project, AMAALA and dozens of new cities, entertainment venues and industrial zones all need materials, equipment and supplies from international suppliers. UK companies are winning contracts across construction, healthcare, technology and professional services. If you are supplying a Vision 2030 project, we understand the logistics requirements: SABER certification, project-site delivery, phased shipping schedules and the documentation that Saudi customs expects. Talk to us early in your project planning -- we can advise on routing, costs and lead times before you commit.
FAQ
Saudi Arabia Freight FAQs
How long does shipping to Saudi Arabia take from the UK?
Air freight from Heathrow to Riyadh or Jeddah takes 1-2 days. Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo, British Airways and Emirates offer daily capacity. Sea freight to Jeddah Islamic Port takes 18-24 days on direct sailings. To King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, transit is 20-26 days. Customs clearance typically takes 3-5 working days with correct documentation and a valid SABER certificate.
What is SABER and do I need it to export to Saudi Arabia?
SABER is Saudi Arabia's electronic product certification system managed by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization). Most manufactured goods imported into Saudi Arabia require a SABER Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) before they can clear customs. The process involves registering your product on the SABER platform, testing through an accredited conformity body and obtaining certificates. We manage the full SABER process for our clients.
What are the halal requirements for shipping food to Saudi Arabia?
All food products imported into Saudi Arabia must carry halal certification from an accredited body recognised by SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority). Meat products face additional requirements including slaughter certificates. Food labelling must be in Arabic, include production and expiry dates, ingredient lists and nutritional information. SFDA registration is required for the importer. We advise on labelling compliance and coordinate halal certification.
Can you ship to NEOM and other Vision 2030 project sites?
Yes. Vision 2030 has created significant demand for construction materials, equipment and supplies to project sites across Saudi Arabia including NEOM, The Line, Diriyah Gate, the Red Sea project and AMAALA. We ship via Jeddah or Dammam ports with onward trucking to project sites. For urgent requirements, air freight to the nearest airport followed by ground transport. We work with project logistics teams to coordinate delivery schedules.
Do you handle customs clearance in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Our Saudi agents handle customs clearance at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam), Jubail Commercial Port and King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh). We manage SABER compliance, SALEEM (the electronic import permit system), duty assessment and cargo release. Saudi customs has modernised significantly -- most declarations are now processed electronically through the FASAH single-window platform.
Ready to ship to Saudi Arabia?
Get a quote for air or sea freight to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam or anywhere in the Kingdom. We typically respond within two hours.