Saudi Arabia has strict Islamic cultural restrictions. Religious articles other than Islamic items are not permitted. Alcohol and pork products are completely prohibited. Detailed inventory required. Sea freight to Jeddah takes 5-8 weeks — one of our fastest sea routes. These sea transit times are approximate — the actual time depends on when your LCL container finishes loading and consolidating, the vessel’s sailing date and route, any transhipment hub before the final destination, and customs clearance, so please allow a week or two either side.
✈ Air freight to Saudi Arabia: 4-8 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers from UK door collection • ⚓ Sea freight: 5-8 weeks to Jeddah • Price confirmed before we collect • Freephone 0800 096 38 39
These items are not automatically refused but face restrictions, duties, inspections or require specific documentation. Check before you pack.
Non-Islamic religious materials including Bibles, crucifixes and religious statues are prohibited.
Completely prohibited. Strict enforcement with severe penalties.
Completely prohibited in all forms.
Controlled substances require Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) approval.
Material contrary to Islamic values or Saudi law is prohibited.
Prohibited including playing cards and gambling equipment.
Above SAR 60,000 must be declared.
Material critical of Saudi Arabia or its government is prohibited.
The following items are prohibited on all services — air freight, sea freight and door-to-door (subject to your destination). Do not pack them. Items found during inspection will be confiscated, and you may face penalties.
Customs clearance at destination is your responsibility as sender — who must also be the receiver for personal effects classification. Have these documents ready before we collect.
If customs or inspection issues arise at the destination — including holds, queries or inspections — you must respond promptly. Failure to respond, or submission of incorrect documentation, will result in storage charges accumulating at the destination warehouse at your cost.
You are liable for storage, inspection fees and any duties that arise where:
If you are unsure about any item, its declared value, or the documentation required for your destination — call us before you pack. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone with you than have your shipment held at customs for two weeks while fees accumulate.
After more than two decades on this route, we know exactly what causes shipments to be held, delayed or refused at Saudi Arabia customs. These are the practical tips that make the difference.
Jeddah sea freight is 5-8 weeks — one of our fastest sea routes to the Middle East.
Do not pack any alcohol, pork products or non-Islamic religious items — penalties are severe.
Books and CDs may be inspected. Pack them separately and clearly label the box.
Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah are our main Saudi airports. Medina and Taif also served.
Iqama (residency permit) is required for customs clearance in Saudi Arabia.
“We collect your luggage ourselves. We check it is properly packed, wrapped and secured before it leaves your door. After 28 years we know what arrives safely and what doesn’t. That happens before the bag is in the air — not after.”
Your UK shipping quote does not include the following destination charges. These are levied by governing bodies and government agencies at the arrival country and are payable by you directly at destination:
These charges are mandatory, set by the destination country’s governing bodies, and outside our control. We will advise you of known destination charges for your route at the time of booking so you can budget accordingly. If you have questions about what to expect at your destination, call us on 0800 096 38 39 before you book.