Shipping vehicles and machinery to Jeddah
Jeddah Islamic Port is the main Red Sea gateway for Saudi Arabia and the busiest port in the country. Strong container and RoRo coverage from China.
Middle East / Red SeaUN/LOCODE SAJEDContainer · RoRo · Breakbulk
Options
Methods available on this trade
| Method | Available to Jeddah |
|---|---|
| Container | Yes — frequent services |
| RoRo | Yes — RoRo is a major method for vehicles into Jeddah |
| Breakbulk | Yes — project cargo and heavy plant |
Confirm method availability at the time of booking. RoRo coverage in particular depends on which services are calling the port that month.
Timing
Transit time
| From | To | Indicative transit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianjin / Qingdao | Jeddah | 20–32 days indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port, excluding destination clearance |
| Shanghai / Nansha / Yantian / Shekou | Jeddah | 20–32 days (via southern ports) indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port |
Transit is port to port and excludes destination clearance, inland delivery and any transhipment delay. We give the current figure in writing with the quotation.
Operational notes
What to watch out for on this route
- Product conformity and shipment certification formalities apply — lodge them before the vessel sails, not on arrival.
- Saudi Arabia requires used passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks under 3.5 t to be manufactured within 5 years (2026 → 2021 or newer); right-hand-drive vehicles are refused. A SASO Certificate of Conformity lodged via the SABER platform (PCoC + SCoC) is mandatory before the vessel departs, and a physical inspection by a SASO-approved body is required for used vehicles. GCC specification and 5% duty + 15% VAT apply (BEVs exempt from duty).
On the ground
Customs clearance in Saudi Arabia
We do not arrange clearance in Saudi Arabia. It is handled by a licensed broker nominated by the consignee. We supply the documents they need and coordinate the release with them so the handover at the port is clean.
Our clearance capability covers West Africa and Madagascar. Elsewhere we ship and hand over to the consignee’s broker — and we say so up front rather than promising coverage we do not have.
Paperwork
Documents required
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Certificate of origin — often required and frequently attested
- Conformity certification as required at destination
- Consignee import registration
Documentary requirements change and vary by commodity and consignee. This list is a starting point, not a compliance guarantee — the consignee’s licensed broker confirms what applies.
Book a shipment to Jeddah
Send vehicle details, dimensions and weight and the origin city. We come back with methods, cost and the next sailing.
Request a QuoteQuestions we get asked often
How long does shipping to Jeddah take?
We quote the current port-to-port transit in writing with the quotation. Published figures go stale quickly; ours are confirmed against the service being booked.
Is RoRo available to Jeddah?
It depends on which services are calling. Ask us and we will check the current rotation before you commit to container rates.
Can you handle destination clearance?
Our scope is the export and carriage side. Destination clearance in Saudi Arabia is handled by a licensed broker, usually nominated by the consignee. We work alongside them and supply the documents they need.
Can you ship machinery as well as vehicles to Jeddah?
Yes — construction and mining machinery moves on the same services, by container, breakbulk or on flat racks depending on size and weight.