Country profile
Saudi Arabia
SA · SAUAs of: 7/20/2026World's largest crude oil exporter and emerging GCC logistics and transit hub (Vision 2030)
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.
Overview
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).
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA / Saudi Customs)Import 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).
Export system
Export declarations via FASAH/ZATCA; export service fees waived since October 2024. Crude oil exports are state-controlled through Saudi Aramco.
Import VAT
- 15 percent standard VAT on imports (ZATCA, since 1. July 2020), levied at import on a customs-value-inclusive basis
- certain supplies zero-rated.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice (Arabic/English)
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- SABER conformity certificate (PCoC/SCoC)
- SFDA approval (food/pharmaceuticals)
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- FASAH export declaration
Origin proofs / FTA
GCC customs union (duty-free within the Gulf region) and Pan-Arab Free Trade Area GAFTA; preferential origin via certificate of origin. No free trade agreement with the EU or EFTA.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Prohibited: alcohol, pork, narcotics, weapons, pornography, gambling devices, used tyres. Requires permit: pharmaceuticals (SFDA), radio equipment, chemicals, seeds, live animals.
Export controls & sanctions
Imports of weapons, radio and dual-use technology, and certain chemicals require a permit; military and security-related goods are state-controlled (Saudi Customs/competent authorities).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on goods: certificates/compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- RUH - King Khalid International, Riad (rund 566'000 t Fracht 2024)
- JED - King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah (Pharma-Kühlzentrum)
- DMM - King Fahd International, Dammam
Seaports / access ports
- Jeddah Islamic Port (Red Sea, main container port)
- King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Persian Gulf, Gulf gateway)
- King Abdullah Port, KAEC (Red Sea)
- King Fahd Industrial Port, Jubail
- Jubail Commercial Port
- Yanbu Commercial Port (Red Sea)
Inland ports & terminals
- Riyadh Dry Port (SAR, connection to Dammam)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Riyadh - Dammam (Gulf coast)
- Riyadh - Jeddah / Mecca (Highway 40)
- Land bridge towards Jordan and Turkey/Europe
- King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain
- Connections to UAE, Kuwait, Oman
Rail corridors
- North-South Railway (Riyadh - Al-Haditha / mineral corridor)
- Riyadh - Dammam (SAR, passengers and freight)
- Saudi Landbridge (planned Riyadh - Jeddah)
- Haramain High Speed (Mecca - Medina, passengers)
Top trade lanes
- China - Saudi Arabia
- India - Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia - Japan / South Korea (energy)
- USA - Saudi Arabia
- EU / Germany - Saudi Arabia
- UAE - Saudi Arabia (GCC)
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Strict conformity requirements (SABER) and Arabic labelling lead to rejections if not met. Observe religious and cultural import bans (alcohol, pork). Demand peaks around Hajj and Ramadan.
Seasonal & weather risks
Extreme summer heat (over 45 degrees) requires continuous cold chains; occasional sandstorms and flash floods. The Hajj season ties up capacity in Jeddah and at the Red Sea ports.
Current logistics notes
Red Sea remains tense: a renewed attack on a cargo ship was reported in early July 2026; in mid-July, Iran instructed the Houthis to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in response to US strikes. Traffic through the strait is well below pre-crisis levels, but Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are resuming individual Red Sea routes. No findings on changes to VAT (15 percent confirmed) or FASAH. (As of 2026-07-20)
As of: 2026-07-20
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22, 2026 | Founding Day | National | |||
| Sep 23, 2026 | Saudi National Day | National |
Founding Day
Feb 22, 2026
Saudi National Day
Sep 23, 2026
Sources: SAMA Holiday Schedules
Truck driving bans
Riyadh: daytime truck entry ban (city area)
RegionalTäglich; Einfahrt ins Stadtgebiet nur in Nachtfenstern (ca. 01:00-08:00), tagsüber gesperrt; Zeiten werden von der Verkehrsdirektion (MOI) festgelegt und während Ramadan verschärft (Asia/Riyadh)
Affected regions: Riad (Stadtgebiet)
Exceptions
Service and supply vehicles have their own time windows; appointments possible via the Naql portal.
Special permit possible
City entry restriction to reduce congestion, not a nationwide rule. Check the MOI timetable before departure; special hours apply during Ramadan.
Sources: Ministry of Interior — Timetable for Origination of Truck Movements in Riyadh City
Airports in this country
Seaports in this country
Popular Transit Time Routes
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Saudi Arabia?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Saudi Arabia?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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