Most shipping from the UAE to Saudi Arabia goes by road, through the Al Ghuwaifat border on the UAE side and Al Batha on the Saudi side. A shipment usually reaches the Eastern Province in 2–3 days, Riyadh in 2–4 days, and Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah in 3–5 days, and those times include customs clearance. At Al Basmah International Shipping we collect from your home or warehouse in any emirate. That can be furniture, a car, trade goods or parcels. We pack the shipment, prepare the paperwork, and deliver to the door in the Saudi city you choose.
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This guide brings together what people ask before they ship: the route and transit times, truck types, shared versus dedicated loads, the documents for each type of shipment, prohibited items, how the price is worked out, and when sea or air makes more sense than road.
The route in a nutshell
- Main method: road freight by truck from the UAE via Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha.
- Approximate time: 2 to 6 days depending on the Saudi city and the type of load.
- We ship: home and office furniture, cars, commercial goods, parcels and equipment.
- Paperwork: owner’s ID and a contents list for personal effects, an invoice and certificate of origin for goods, registration and an export certificate for cars.
- Price: furniture in a shared truck starts from AED 90 per cubic metre, and a car on an open carrier starts from AED 2,000.
- To book: send your shipment details on WhatsApp +971557643821 and we reply with a price.
How are goods shipped from the UAE to Saudi Arabia?
There are three ways, and each suits a different shipment. Road is the first choice for most people. The route between the two countries is open and direct, and the truck collects from your door and delivers to the recipient’s door without the load changing hands at ports and airports. Sea helps with large commercial loads going to Dammam or Jeddah port. Air is for urgent, light shipments that cannot wait.
Road freight
Best for furniture, cars and most goods. Door-to-door, reaching the Eastern Province and Riyadh in a few days.
Sea freight
For containers and big commercial loads from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port to Dammam or Jeddah Islamic Port.
Air freight
For urgent parcels, documents and light spare parts from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports to Saudi airports.
If you are not sure which method fits, send us what you want to ship and the city it is going to. We will tell you plainly which option is cheaper, which is faster, and how far apart they are in time and cost.
The road route from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, step by step
Our trucks follow almost the same route whichever emirate we collect from. They head west on the highway toward Abu Dhabi’s Western Region and the Al Ghuwaifat crossing, enter the Kingdom at Al Batha, and continue through Al Ahsa to the destination city. The road distance from Dubai to Riyadh is roughly 1,060 km. Driving from the northern emirates to the border usually takes four to six hours, and less from Abu Dhabi, which is the closest emirate to the crossing.
- Collection: our crew comes to your address, dismantles large pieces and packs everything, then numbers each box and records it on the contents list.
- Loading: heavy items go at the bottom and fragile ones on top, and the load is strapped so nothing shifts on the long road.
- Leaving the UAE: the UAE exit declaration for the truck and cargo is completed at Al Ghuwaifat.
- Entering Saudi Arabia: at Al Batha the shipment is processed electronically on Saudi Customs’ Fasah platform, and it may be inspected before release.
- Inside the Kingdom: from Al Batha the truck heads to Al Ahsa, then to the Eastern Province or Riyadh, and on to the west, Qassim and the south.
- Delivery: we call the recipient ahead of arrival to set a time, unload where they want it, and reassemble what we dismantled when that is part of the agreement.
You do not need to chase anyone for news at any stage. Our team messages you on WhatsApp when the truck is loaded, when it crosses the border, and early enough before delivery for the recipient to be ready.
How long does shipping from the UAE to Saudi Arabia take?
Transit is counted from loading day to delivery day in the Saudi city, and clearance at Al Batha is included. These times are approximate, because the border gets busy in peak seasons and some shipments are selected for inspection:
| Saudi city or region | Approximate door-to-door time by road |
|---|---|
| Eastern Province: Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Al Ahsa, Jubail | 2 – 3 days |
| Riyadh and Al Kharj | 2 – 4 days |
| Qassim (Buraidah, Unaizah) and Hail | 3 – 5 days |
| Jeddah, Makkah, Taif | 3 – 5 days |
| Madinah and Yanbu | 3 – 5 days |
| Tabuk, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran | 4 – 6 days |
Two things change the timing more than distance does. First, is your load in a shared truck that waits until it is full, or a dedicated truck that leaves on your date? Second, is your paperwork complete from the start? A shipment that reaches Al Batha with missing documents waits there for days, not hours.
What do we ship from the UAE to Saudi Arabia?
We take almost anything allowed into the Kingdom, from a single box to a full truck. Each type of shipment needs its own packing and paperwork. These are the ones we handle most:
Household furniture and personal effects
This is the most requested shipment: a family moving from the UAE to Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam, or a resident whose job has moved to the Kingdom. We dismantle and pack beds and wardrobes, and wrap sofas in moving blankets and heavy-duty film. Glass and mirrors get corner protectors, dishes and glasses are paper-wrapped in dish-pack cartons, and appliances are packed and secured so they do not shake loose.
Valuable pieces, such as wooden antiques, large paintings and chandeliers, get custom-built wooden crates. It costs a little more, but it is the only way we trust for an irreplaceable piece on a road of over a thousand kilometres. If you are moving to a particular city, the UAE guides for Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam cover it in detail, and you can request a price here.
Car shipping from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
We ship cars on an open carrier with other vehicles, which is the cheapest option. For luxury, new or classic cars we recommend an enclosed carrier, which shields the car from dust, flying stones and sun the whole way. Either way the wheels are secured with dedicated straps, and we photograph the car’s condition before loading and after delivery.
Before you buy a car to ship: Saudi Arabia does not allow imported used passenger cars older than five years from the model year, and the current year is not counted. Check the model year before you buy, and ask us about any special case before you pay.
Commercial goods
We ship for shops, companies and factories: clothing, building materials, spare parts, electronics, homeware, restaurant supplies and more. Loads go either as a full truck or by pallet in a shared truck for smaller quantities. Paperwork decides whether a commercial shipment goes smoothly: a correct invoice, a matching packing list, a certificate of origin, and a SABER conformity certificate for products that need one.
Parcels and small items
A suitcase of clothes, a box of books or gifts for family in the Kingdom go into a shared road load for far less than air. If it is urgent, we send it by air. Small parcels by road start from AED 45.
Equipment and machinery
Generators, machines, restaurant and workshop equipment, and light machinery are fixed to wooden skids or crated, then shipped in a closed or open truck depending on size. Very heavy equipment needs the load and route studied in advance, so send us its specifications and weight first.
Shared load or a full truck?
This is the first thing we ask once we know the size of your shipment, because it sets both price and timing:
| Shared load | Full (dedicated) truck | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | A small flat, a few pallets, parcels, one car on a multi-car carrier | A villa or large home, a full commercial load, anything that cannot wait |
| Price | Lower; you pay for the space you use | Higher, but the whole truck is yours |
| Departure | When the truck is full | On the day you choose |
| Delivery | May stop for other recipients first | Straight to your address |
Our trucks range from a small closed dyna of about 3 tons, through 5-ton and 7-ton dynas and a 10-ton lorry, up to closed trailers of 12–13.6 m for full loads. For cars we use enclosed carriers and multi-deck open carriers.
Sea freight from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
Sea is not the usual choice for individuals, since the road is shorter and simpler. It suits companies shipping full containers to warehouses near the ports. A container leaves Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port for King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam in about 2–3 days’ sailing, or Jeddah Islamic Port in about 5–7 days, plus port handling and clearance. Send us the goods type, weight and destination port and we will compare sea and road for you before you decide.
Air freight from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
When time matters more than cost, we send it by air: a spare part for a workshop that has stopped, original documents, or light goods for a client in a hurry. Shipments leave Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airport for King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah or King Fahd Airport in Dammam, and usually arrive in 1–3 days including clearance.
- Price is based on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, so large light boxes cost more by air than you might expect.
- Lithium batteries, liquids and perfumes face air restrictions, and some are not accepted at all.
- Furniture and large appliances do not suit air. Road is much cheaper for them and only a few days slower.
Air rates change with weight, airport and goods type, so send us the weight and dimensions on WhatsApp and we reply with a price.
Shipping prices from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
No single price fits every shipment, but these starting prices help you estimate before you contact us:
| Shipment type | Starts from |
|---|---|
| Furniture and household goods in a shared truck | AED 90 per cubic metre |
| Small parcels by road | AED 45 |
| Sedan on an open carrier | AED 2,000 |
| SUV on an open carrier | AED 2,750 |
| Car on an enclosed carrier | AED 4,100 |
| Full truck, air freight, containers | Send the details on WhatsApp for a price |
What pushes the price up or down?
- Volume and weight: furniture is priced by cubic metre, heavy goods by weight.
- Saudi city: the Eastern Province and Riyadh are closer and cheaper than Jeddah, the south or Tabuk.
- Truck type: shared is cheaper; dedicated is faster and costs more.
- Packing: the amount and type of packing material affect the price, and wooden crates for valuable pieces add cost.
- Dismantling, reassembly and access: high floors without a lift, or the need for a furniture hoist, are priced in.
- Duties and VAT: these differ between used personal effects and commercial goods, as explained below.
The final price is set once we know the details. The clearer your photos and list, the more accurate the price, and it will not change on loading day. You can also fill in our quote request form and we will reply on WhatsApp.
Documents needed to ship from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Customs works electronically through the Fasah platform, and documents are submitted before or when the truck reaches the border. That is why we collect them from you before loading. Each shipment type has its own set:
Used furniture and personal effects
- Copy of the owner’s passport.
- Copy of the Saudi ID for citizens, or the iqama or residence visa for residents.
- A detailed contents list in Arabic or English, which we help you prepare during packing.
- The recipient’s details and mobile number in Saudi Arabia.
Used personal belongings of someone moving to live in the Kingdom are treated as personal effects. New items in commercial quantities are charged duty like any goods.
Cars
- Vehicle registration in the shipper’s name, or an authorisation from the owner.
- An export certificate and plate cancellation from Dubai’s RTA or the licensing authority of the emirate where the car is registered.
- Copy of the owner’s passport and ID.
- The car must be empty of personal belongings.
Commercial goods
- A commercial invoice listing items, quantities and value, certified when required.
- A packing list matching the invoice.
- A certificate of origin.
- A SABER conformity certificate for consumer products that need one, and SFDA requirements for food, cosmetics and medicines.
- The Saudi importer’s commercial registration.
GCC exemption and VAT
Goods of UAE origin with a GCC certificate of origin are exempt from customs duty on entering the Kingdom, and Saudi VAT of 15% applies to imports. Goods made outside the Gulf and re-exported from the UAE are treated by customs according to their origin and type.
What delays shipments at Al Batha most: an invoice that does not match what is on the truck, a vague description such as “miscellaneous items”, or a product that needed a SABER certificate before shipping. Check your documents with us before loading, not at the border.
Prohibited and restricted items for Saudi Arabia
We do not accept anything Saudi regulations ban, and we ask about anything that needs a permit before we pack it:
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances of any kind.
- Alcohol and pork products.
- Weapons and ammunition without permits.
- Counterfeit goods and gambling equipment.
- Drones and some medicines, which need prior permits.
If there is anything in your belongings you are unsure about, ask us before packing. Taking an item out of a box at home is far easier than taking it out at the border.
How we pack your shipment
Sofas and mattresses
Padded moving blankets, then heavy-duty film against dust and scratches.
Wardrobes and beds
Dismantled with numbered parts, and screws bagged and labelled with the piece’s name.
Glass, mirrors and paintings
Corner protectors and rigid board, with wooden crates for large or valuable pieces.
Kitchen
Plates and glasses paper-wrapped and packed upright in divided cartons.
Appliances
Fridges and washing machines emptied and dried, with moving parts secured before packing.
Commercial goods
Shrink-wrapped pallets with a contents label that matches the packing list.
How to ship with us from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
- Send us on WhatsApp what you want to ship, the emirate we collect from and the Saudi city it is going to. Photos help a lot.
- We send the price, the suggested method, the approximate transit time and the documents needed.
- We agree a collection time, and the crew comes to pack and load.
- We prepare and submit the documents for clearance and update you at each stage.
- We call the recipient before arrival, deliver, and they check the shipment against the contents list.
We collect from every emirate
We have two branches: Dubai (Deira, Port Saeed Street) and Sharjah (Industrial Area 18). Our crew reaches any address in the seven emirates, and each emirate has its own guide:
Dubai
Shipping from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, branch in Deira.
Sharjah
Shipping from Sharjah to Saudi Arabia, branch in Industrial Area 18.
Abu Dhabi
Shipping from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia, closest to the border.
Al Ain
Shipping from Al Ain to Saudi Arabia via Al Ghuwaifat.
Ras Al Khaimah
Umm Al Quwain
Fujairah
Shipping from Fujairah to Saudi Arabia from the east coast.
Saudi cities we deliver to
We deliver to every city in the Kingdom. These are where our shipments go most often:
- Central: Riyadh, Al Kharj, Al Majmaah, Qassim (Buraidah and Unaizah), Hail.
- Eastern: Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Al Ahsa, Jubail, Qatif, Hafr Al Batin.
- Western: Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif, Yanbu.
- North and south: Tabuk, Al Jouf, Arar, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran.
Tips before you ship to Saudi Arabia
- Book at least a week ahead in moving seasons, such as the end of the school year, because trucks fill up fast.
- Write the contents list clearly. Avoid “miscellaneous items”, because an exact description shortens clearance.
- Keep jewellery, cash and important documents with you, not in the shipment.
- Photograph valuable pieces before packing. The photos are your reference and ours at delivery.
- Make sure the recipient in Saudi Arabia answers their phone on delivery days. Delivery slips when we cannot reach them.
From experience: most delays start with a missing paper or a vague description, not the road. A quarter of an hour checking documents with us before loading saves days at the border.
FAQ: shipping from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
How long does road shipping from the UAE to Saudi Arabia take?
2–3 days to the Eastern Province, 2–4 days to Riyadh, and 3–5 days to Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, including clearance at Al Batha. A shared load may wait a few extra days for the truck to fill.
Which border do shipments from the UAE to Saudi Arabia cross?
The truck leaves the UAE at Al Ghuwaifat, enters the Kingdom at Al Batha, and continues through Al Ahsa to other cities.
How much does it cost to ship furniture from the UAE to Saudi Arabia?
In a shared truck it starts from AED 90 per cubic metre. The final price depends on volume, city, packing, and dismantling and reassembly, so send photos and a list on WhatsApp for a price.
Can I ship my used car to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, if it is no more than five years old from the model year and its registration and export papers are complete. An open carrier starts from AED 2,000 for a sedan, and an enclosed carrier from AED 4,100.
Do I pay customs duty on my used personal belongings?
Used personal effects of someone moving to live in the Kingdom are treated as personal effects when the paperwork is complete. New items in commercial quantities are charged duty and VAT.
Do you collect from every emirate?
Yes: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Al Ain. You can also drop off at our Dubai or Sharjah branch.
Is there air freight from the UAE to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, for urgent and light shipments from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. It usually arrives in 1–3 days, priced by actual or volumetric weight.
How do I know where my shipment is?
Our team sends you WhatsApp updates at loading, at the border crossing and before delivery, and you can message us any time on +971557643821.
Ready to ship to Saudi Arabia?
Send us what you want to ship and the destination city, and we reply with the price, transit time and documents needed.
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