Shipping from Dubai to Saudi ArabiaShipping from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, by road, air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Saudi Arabia for businesses. We truck FTL and LTL loads through the Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha border, fly air cargo from DXB to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and ship sea freight from Jebel Ali to Dammam and Jeddah. We check SABER certificates and GCC origin before your cargo leaves.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Saudi Arabia at a glance
Road freight carries most cargo from Dubai to Saudi Arabia. Air suits urgent goods, and sea suits heavy cargo for Dammam or the Red Sea coast at Jeddah.
- By road
- 2 to 7 days to Riyadh (published range)
- Flight time
- About 2 h DXB to Riyadh
- Customs
- ZATCA, filed on Fasah
- Import VAT
- 15%
Airports and seaports in Saudi Arabia we ship to
Riyadh is usually served by road or air. Jeddah is far from the UAE by road, so sea or air can be faster for the west coast.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land border | UAE side: Al Ghuwaifat | The main truck crossing between the UAE and Saudi Arabia | |
| Airport | RUH | King Khalid International, for the capital | |
| Airport | JED | King Abdulaziz International, for the west | |
| Airport | DMM | King Fahd International, for the Eastern Province | |
| Seaport | SADMM | King Abdulaziz Port on the Gulf coast | |
| Seaport | SAJED | Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea |
Air, sea to Saudi Arabia
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land transport | Dubai to Riyadh or Dammam via Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha | 2 to 7 days to Riyadh, border dependent | Pallets, FTL and LTL, regular supply |
| DXB to RUH, JED or DMM | Next day, plus clearance | Urgent parts, samples, high value | |
| Sea freight | Jebel Ali to Dammam, or Jeddah via the Red Sea | Short feeder to Dammam; longer to Jeddah | Heavy cargo and the west coast |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Saudi Arabia
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Saudia
Border waiting times vary. Read our guide to UAE to Saudi Arabia road freight transit. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Saudi Arabia: what the importer needs
A Saudi importer with a commercial registration clears the goods through a licensed customs broker on Fasah.
| Item | In Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) |
| Declaration | Import declaration on Fasah, the Saudi trade single window |
| Importer registration | Saudi commercial registration and customs importer registration |
| Duty and tax | 5% GCC common external tariff on most goods, by HS code, plus 15% import VAT |
| Trade agreement | GCC customs union: UAE-origin goods with a GCC certificate of origin enter duty-free |
Goods made outside the GCC and re-exported from Dubai normally pay the 5% duty when they enter Saudi Arabia.
Approvals to check before booking
Saudi Arabia checks product conformity through SABER. Without the right certificates, cargo can be held at the border.
- 01
Regulated products need a SABER Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC).
- 02
Each shipment of regulated products needs a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC).
- 03
SFDA approval
Food, medicines, cosmetics and medical devices need Saudi Food and Drug Authority approval.
- 04
Halal requirements
Meat and many food products need halal certification.
- 05
Claims duty-free entry for goods made in the UAE.
- 06
Trucks need the UAE exit declaration linked to the crossing, and Saudi clearance details.
Documents for shipping to Saudi Arabia
Send these with your booking. For road freight we file the UAE exit declaration before the truck reaches the border.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Duty-free entry for UAE-made goods | |
| Saudi conformity for regulated products |
Restricted or banned in Saudi Arabia
- Alcohol
- Pork products
- Narcotics
- Counterfeit goods
- Firearms without a permit
Religious and political material is also controlled. Ask us before shipping anything unusual.
What UAE businesses ship to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia was among the top three markets for UAE exports in 2024, at about US$32.8 billion (Trading Economics, UN Comtrade).
- 01
Electronics
Electrical goods and IT hardware from Dubai distributors.
- 02
Building materials and machinery
Supplies for Saudi construction and industrial projects.
- 03
Food and retail goods
FMCG and retail stock on regular trucks.
Dubai to Saudi Arabia shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this lanePublished quotes range from two to seven days. The drive itself is shorter, but waiting at the Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha border varies by season and paperwork. Complete SABER certificates and a correct UAE exit declaration help a truck cross faster. Jeddah takes longer by road than Riyadh or Dammam.
- Ask for door-to-door days, not drive time.
- Air is next day for urgent goods.
SABER is the Saudi platform for product conformity certificates. Regulated products need a Product Certificate of Conformity, and each shipment of them needs a Shipment Certificate of Conformity. The Saudi Standards organisation, SASO, runs the system. Without valid certificates, customs can hold or return the goods at the border.
- The importer usually applies on SABER.
- Check if your HS code is regulated.
Goods made in the UAE can enter duty-free. Under the GCC customs union, national-origin goods with a GCC certificate of origin pay no duty. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai usually pay the 5% common tariff when they enter Saudi Arabia. Import VAT of 15% applies in both cases.
- Origin is where goods were made, not shipped.
- VAT is charged on value plus duty.
Sea or air is often better for Jeddah. Jeddah is on the Red Sea, far across the country from the UAE border. Sea freight from Jebel Ali to Jeddah Islamic Port suits heavy cargo, while air cargo to King Abdulaziz International suits urgent goods. Road suits Riyadh and Dammam best.
- We compare total door-to-door time.
- Large projects may combine modes.