# Saudi Arabia (SA) **Capital:** Riyadh **Currency:** Saudi Riyal (SAR) (SAR) **Population:** 35,300,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 2,149,690 km² > Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Gulf, the world's biggest crude-oil exporter and a member of the GCC customs union with a common external tariff of usually 5 percent. Customs clearance runs through the FASAH single window of the ZATCA customs authority; imports are subject to 15 percent VAT. Since 2025 most products require a SABER/SASO certificate of conformity (PCoC and SCoC), while food and pharma go through the SFDA. The main gateways are Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea, plus King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Persian Gulf, complemented by the cargo airports of Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) and Dammam (DMM). Through Vision 2030 and the NTLS the country is investing heavily in ports, rail and land bridges to position itself as a global logistics hub. Saudi Arabia (SA) is the largest economy in the Gulf region, the world's biggest crude-oil exporter and, through Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), is positioning itself as a logistics hub between Asia, Europe and Africa. As a member of the GCC customs union it applies a common external tariff of usually 5 percent; the tax and customs authority ZATCA levies 15 percent VAT on imports, with clearance running through the national FASAH single window. Since 2025 most goods require a SABER/SASO certificate of conformity (PCoC and SCoC), while food and medicines fall under the SFDA. The main gateways are Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Gulf, and the cargo airports of Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) and Dammam (DMM). Key corridors are the Riyadh-Dammam and Riyadh-Jeddah (Highway 40) axes, the land bridge towards Jordan, and the North-South Railway with the Riyadh Dry Port. Exports are dominated by crude oil, petrochemicals and chemicals; imports by machinery, vehicles and electronics. The main trading partners are China, India, the USA and the EU. The national currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). **Top Import Partners:** CN, US, IN, DE, AE **Top Export Partners:** CN, IN, JP, KR, US **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Electronic devices, Pharmaceuticals, Food **Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Petroleum products, Chemicals, Metals, Chemical products **Key Airports:** - [Abha International Airport (AHB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abha-international-airport-ahb) - [King Abdulaziz Air Base (DHA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-abdulaziz-air-base-airport-dha) - [King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-abdulaziz-international-airport-jed) - [King Fahd International Airport (DMM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-fahd-international-airport-dmm) - [King Khaled International Airport (RUH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-khaled-international-airport-ruh) - [Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/prince-mohammad-bin-abdulaziz-airport-med) - [Al Qaisumah/Hafr Al Batin Airport (AQI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-qaisumahhafr-al-batin-airport-aqi) - [Al Wajh Domestic Airport (EJH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-wajh-domestic-airport-ejh) - [Al-Ahsa International Airport (HOF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-ahsa-international-airport-hof) - [Al-Jawf Domestic Airport (AJF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-jawf-domestic-airport-ajf) **Key Seaports:** - [Dammam (SA DMM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/dammam-port-sa-dmm) - [Jiddah (SA JED)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/jiddah-port-sa-jed) - [King Fahd Port](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/king-fahd-port-1440) - [Yanbu (SA YBI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/yanbu-port-sa-ybi) - [Ras Tannurah (SA RTA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ras-tannurah-port-sa-rta) - [Duba (SA DHU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/duba-port-sa-dhu) - [Jizan (SA GIZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/jizan-port-sa-giz) - [Ju Aymah Oil Terminal (SA JUT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ju-aymah-oil-terminal-port-sa-jut) - [Ras Al Khafji (SA RAR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ras-al-khafji-port-sa-rar) - [Ras Al Mishab (SA RAM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ras-al-mishab-port-sa-ram) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** 15 percent standard VAT on imports (ZATCA, since 1. July 2020), levied at import on a customs-value-inclusive basis **Customs complexity:** medium to high **Customs system:** Imports are processed via the FASAH single window (Saudi Customs/ZATCA); conformity via SABER/SASO (PCoC and SCoC mandatory since 2025), food and pharmaceuticals via SFDA. GCC external tariff usually 5 percent (chemicals sometimes 2, special cases up to 52). **Customs authority:** [Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA / Saudi Customs)](https://zatca.gov.sa) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** World's largest crude oil exporter and emerging GCC logistics and transit hub (Vision 2030) **Economic area:** GCC Customs Union (Gulf Cooperation Council) **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** high **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What are customs duties and import tax in Saudi Arabia? As a member of the GCC customs union, Saudi Arabia generally levies a common external tariff of 5 percent on the value of goods; certain chemicals are reduced to 2 percent, and special cases go up to 52 percent. In addition, an import VAT of 15 percent applies, which ZATCA collects at import. ### Which customs system does Saudi Arabia use? Imports and exports are handled through the national single window FASAH, operated by Saudi Customs (ZATCA). There, the customs declaration and the evidence from SABER, SASO and SFDA come together before customs officers release the goods. ### What is SABER and when do I need it? SABER is the electronic conformity platform of the standards authority SASO. Since 1. January 2025, practically all shipments require a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) via SABER. Without these documents, the goods are not released in the FASAH system. ### Which goods are prohibited or restricted in Saudi Arabia? Prohibited items include alcohol, pork, narcotics, weapons, pornography, gambling devices and used tyres. Items requiring a permit include, among others, pharmaceuticals (SFDA), radio and dual-use technology, chemicals, seeds and live animals. ### Which ports and airports are most important for freight? On the Red Sea, the Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port (KAEC) dominate, while on the Persian Gulf, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and the industrial ports of Jubail and Yanbu are key. In air cargo, Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) with its pharma cold-chain center, and Dammam (DMM) lead. ### Which documents do I need for importing into Saudi Arabia? Commonly required are the commercial invoice and packing list (Arabic/English), a certificate of origin, a transport document (Bill of Lading or Air Waybill), the SABER conformity certificate (PCoC/SCoC) and, for food or pharmaceuticals, an SFDA approval. Labels must be in Arabic and English. ### What does Vision 2030 mean for logistics? With Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), Saudi Arabia aims to increase the sector's contribution to GDP to 10 percent and establish itself as a global logistics hub. To achieve this, ports, rail corridors, land bridges and projects such as NEOM and King Abdullah Port are being expanded significantly. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://zatca.gov.sa](https://zatca.gov.sa) - [https://saber.sa](https://saber.sa) - [https://www.sfda.gov.sa](https://www.sfda.gov.sa) - [https://zatca.gov.sa/en/RulesRegulations/VAT/Pages/default.aspx](https://zatca.gov.sa/en/RulesRegulations/VAT/Pages/default.aspx) - [https://zatca.gov.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Taxes/Pages/Integrated-Tarrifs.aspx](https://zatca.gov.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Taxes/Pages/Integrated-Tarrifs.aspx) - [https://zatca.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/news_1282.aspx](https://zatca.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/news_1282.aspx) - [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/saudi-arabia-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/saudi-arabia-import-tariffs) - [https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/saudi-arabia-requirements-certify-imports](https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/saudi-arabia-requirements-certify-imports) *Last verified: 2026-07-20* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sa](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sa)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/sa](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/sa)*