LCL Import to Saudi Arabia
Consolidated sea cargo into Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh: LCL ocean freight, SABER certificates, marine insurance, customs clearance and door delivery, all handled by one team.
Rates updated October 2026
Quick Answer: LCL Import Costs at a Glance
Importing a part load from China, India, Turkey or Europe? LCL ocean freight usually takes 10–50 days depending on origin. These are the main costs on an LCL shipment into Saudi Arabia, indicative for October 2026.
Origin charges
~SAR 700 / CBM
Pickup, origin CFS and export handling
Destination charges
~SAR 900 / CBM
Jeddah or Dammam CFS, DO and handling
Marine insurance
0.25%
of cargo value
Delivery Jeddah → Riyadh / Dammam
SAR 1,600–2,000
LCL, depends on volume
Ocean freight is quoted per sailing and depends on the origin port and carrier. Send your cargo details for a firm, all-in price.
LCL, FCL, Air or DDP: Which Suits Your Import?
| Method | Best for | Transit (approx.) | Choose this if |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL sea freight | 1–15 CBM, pallets, mixed goods | 10–50 days by origin | You don’t have enough cargo for a full container |
| FCL container | Full 20ft / 40ft loads | 10–50 days by origin | You have more than ~15 CBM, or want your own sealed container |
| Air consolidation | Urgent spares, samples, high-value goods | 3–7 days | Speed matters more than cost |
| Express courier | Parcels and documents under ~45 kg | 3–5 days | Your shipment is small and urgent |
| DDP door to door | Importers who want one all-in price | Sea or air time + clearance | You want us to handle freight, SABER, customs and delivery |
How to choose
- Under 1 CBM or under ~45 kg: express courier or air is usually cheaper.
- 1–15 CBM: LCL sea freight gives the best price per CBM.
- Over ~15 CBM: a 20ft container (FCL) often costs about the same as LCL and is faster to clear.
- Urgent or high value: air freight or air consolidation.
Not sure of your volume? Use our CBM calculator.
LCL Ocean Freight to Saudi Arabia
Our LCL shipping service books your cargo into a shared container at the origin port. It is unpacked at a CFS warehouse in Jeddah or Dammam, cleared, and delivered to you. Cargo for Riyadh moves by truck from Jeddah or Dammam, or arrives at Riyadh Dry Port.
| Origin | Main ports | Saudi port | LCL transit (approx.) | Origin charges (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao | Dammam, Jeddah | 26–30 days | SAR 700 / CBM |
| India | Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai | Dammam, Jeddah | 5–12 days | SAR 700 / CBM |
| Turkey | Mersin, Istanbul | Jeddah | On request | SAR 700 / CBM |
| Europe | Hamburg, Genoa, Rotterdam | Jeddah, Dammam | 10–22 days | SAR 700 / CBM |
| USA | Long Beach, New York | Jeddah, Dammam | 40–50 days | On request |
FCL Container Import to Saudi Arabia
When your cargo fills most of a container, FCL is safer and often cheaper per CBM. Your goods stay sealed from the supplier to your warehouse.
| Container | Inside size (L × W × H) | Max payload | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~28,000 kg | ~33 CBM |
| 40ft standard | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~26,500 kg | ~67 CBM |
| 40ft high cube | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ~26,500 kg | ~76 CBM |
FCL from Jeddah to Riyadh or Dammam costs about SAR 2,500 by truck. Ocean freight is quoted per sailing.
Saudi Ports, Airports and Main Origins
Saudi Arabia
- Jeddah Islamic Port: Red Sea, main gateway for Europe, Turkey and Asia
- King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam: Gulf gateway for China, India and the Far East
- Riyadh Dry Port: inland container terminal, rail-linked to Dammam
- Jubail Commercial Port: industrial cargo for the Eastern Province
- Airports: Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), Dammam (DMM)
Main origin ports
- China: Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao
- India: Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai
- Turkey: Mersin, Istanbul (Ambarli)
- Europe: Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Genoa
- USA: New York, Houston, Long Beach
LCL Rates and Prices Explained
LCL prices are charged per CBM (cubic metre) or per 1,000 kg, whichever is higher. This is called “weight or measure” (W/M). Light, bulky goods pay by volume; heavy, compact goods pay by weight.
Worked example: 3 CBM from China to Riyadh
| Cost item | Calculation | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Origin charges | 3 CBM × SAR 700 | SAR 2,100 |
| LCL ocean freight | Per sailing, China to Dammam or Jeddah | Quoted |
| Destination charges (Jeddah or Dammam) | 3 CBM × SAR 900 | SAR 2,700 |
| Marine insurance | 0.25% × USD 20,000 cargo value | USD 50 |
| Delivery to Riyadh | LCL truck | SAR 1,600–2,000 |
| Customs duty and VAT | By HS code (see below) | Paid at cost |
Approximate origin, destination and delivery costs: SAR 6,400–6,800, plus USD 50 insurance, ocean freight, duty and VAT. SABER certificates, if your product needs them, are quoted per product.
LCL Charges in Shipping: No Surprise Fees
The most common complaint about LCL imports is surprise charges at the destination. We list every cost in your quote before you ship:
| Stage | Charge | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Pickup, origin CFS, export clearance | Getting cargo into the shared container (~SAR 700 / CBM) |
| Freight | LCL ocean freight per CBM | The sea leg to Jeddah or Dammam |
| Destination | CFS handling, THC, delivery order (DO), port fees | Unloading and releasing your cargo (~SAR 900 / CBM) |
| Compliance | SABER PCoC / SCoC, customs declaration | Legal entry of your goods |
| Delivery | Truck to your door | Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and across KSA |
| Optional | Marine insurance, storage, palletising | Protection and flexibility |
SABER Certificates (PCoC and SCoC)
Most regulated products need SASO approval on the SABER platform before they can clear Saudi customs. Without the right certificate, cargo is held at the port and storage costs grow every day.
- Product Certificate (PCoC): issued once per product model, before shipping.
- Shipment Certificate (SCoC): issued for each shipment, linked to the PCoC.
- We handle all kinds of PCoC and SCoC for importers: product classification, document checks, registration on SABER, and issuing the certificates.
Tip: start SABER before your cargo sails, so the shipment certificate is ready when the container arrives.
Marine Cargo Insurance
LCL cargo is handled several times: at the origin warehouse, in the shared container, and again at the destination CFS. Insurance protects you against damage, loss and general average claims.
- Premium: 0.25% of cargo value
- Covers the sea leg and handling, door to door on request
- Arranged with your booking, with the certificate issued before sailing
Pallet Freight and Pallet Shipping
Palletised cargo is the safest way to ship LCL. Pallets are easier to load, count and deliver, and are less likely to be damaged.
| Container | Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) | Standard pallets (120 × 100 cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft container | 11 | 9–10 |
| 40ft container | 23–24 | 20–21 |
After clearance we deliver pallets by truck or pallet courier across Saudi Arabia. See truck rates in Saudi Arabia.
Our LCL Warehouse in Jeddah
Our CFS warehouse in Al Khumrah, Jeddah receives LCL cargo for unpacking (deconsolidation), short-term storage, palletising and onward delivery. Goods can stay with us until you are ready to receive them.
Customs Clearance and Door Delivery
We file your customs declaration on FASAH, arrange payment of duties and VAT, and deliver to your door. Most goods pay 5% customs duty (some categories pay more), plus 15% VAT, based on the HS code and cargo value.
| Tax | Rate | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty (most goods) | 5% | CIF value (cargo + freight + insurance) |
| Customs duty (some protected goods) | Higher, by HS code | Check before shipping |
| VAT | 15% | CIF value + duty |
| Excise tax | By product | Tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened drinks |
Delivery to Major Saudi Cities
| City | Delivered from | Road time (approx.) | LCL delivery | FCL delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah | Jeddah port / our warehouse | Same day | On request | On request |
| Makkah | Jeddah | Same day | On request | On request |
| Madinah | Jeddah | 1 day | On request | On request |
| Riyadh | Jeddah or Dammam | 1–2 days | SAR 1,600–2,000 | SAR 2,500 |
| Dammam / Khobar | Jeddah or Dammam port | 1–2 days | SAR 1,600–2,000 | SAR 2,500 |
| Jubail | Dammam | Same day | On request | On request |
| Qassim, Tabuk, Abha, Jazan | Jeddah, Riyadh or Dammam | 1–3 days | On request | On request |
DDP Door to Door: One Price, Everything Included
- Origin pickup and export clearance
- Ocean or air freight to Saudi Arabia
- SABER PCoC / SCoC
- Marine cargo insurance (0.25%)
- Saudi customs clearance, duty and VAT
- Delivery to your door in any Saudi city
More on customs clearance in Saudi Arabia.
LCL Air Freight (Air Consolidation)
For urgent part loads, air consolidation shares space on a flight, so you pay less than a direct airway bill. Typical transit is 3–7 days into Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam. See air cargo services.
Documents for LCL Import
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list with weights and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- SABER PCoC / SCoC (for regulated goods)
- Importer CR and VAT number
- Insurance certificate (if insured)
- Any product permits (e.g. SFDA for food)
How LCL Import Works
- Quote: send origin, CBM, weight, product and HS code if known.
- SABER check: we confirm which certificates your product needs.
- Origin pickup: your supplier delivers to the CFS, or we collect.
- Consolidation and sailing: your cargo shares a container to Jeddah or Dammam.
- Arrival and unpacking: at the destination CFS or our Jeddah warehouse.
- Customs clearance: FASAH declaration, duties, VAT and inspection.
- Delivery: to your door in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam or anywhere in KSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does LCL shipping to Saudi Arabia cost?
Around SAR 700 per CBM origin charges and SAR 900 per CBM destination charges in Jeddah or Dammam, plus ocean freight quoted per sailing. Delivery, duty, VAT and SABER are extra. Indicative, October 2026.
What is the minimum for an LCL shipment?
LCL is usually charged from 1 CBM. Below that, air or courier is often cheaper.
What are LCL destination charges?
CFS handling, terminal charges, the delivery order and port fees at the Saudi port. In Jeddah or Dammam they are around SAR 900 per CBM.
Do I need a SABER certificate for LCL cargo?
Yes, if your product is regulated by SASO. We arrange both the product certificate (PCoC) and the shipment certificate (SCoC).
Is marine insurance worth it for LCL?
Yes. LCL cargo is handled several times. Cover costs 0.25% of cargo value, e.g. USD 50 on USD 20,000 of goods.
How long does LCL take from China to Saudi Arabia?
About 26–30 days port to port to Dammam, plus clearance and delivery.
Can you deliver to Riyadh?
Yes. From Jeddah or Dammam by truck, about SAR 1,600–2,000 for LCL cargo depending on volume.
Can you ship pallets?
Yes. We ship palletised LCL cargo and deliver pallets anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Get Your LCL Import Quote
Tell us the origin, CBM, weight and product. We reply with an all-in price, usually the same day.
You Might Also Need
- CBM calculator
- Air cargo to and from Saudi Arabia
- Customs clearance agent in Jeddah
- Truck rates in Saudi Arabia
Shipping from Saudi Arabia instead? See LCL sea cargo from Saudi Arabia. Importing from China? See shipping from China to Saudi Arabia.