Commercial cargo from Saudi Arabia to the UAE with Alfaris International Shipping moves by road through Al Batha Crossing as a full truckload (FTL) or part load (LTL), by sea in containers to Jebel Ali, and by air for urgent samples. Prices start from SAR 730 per cubic metre, SAR 7.3 per kg for volumes above 100 kg, and SAR 2,275 for a 20 ft container. A truck from Riyadh and Dammam arrives in 1–3 days.
For traders, factories and online stores · Road: 1–5 days · Sea: 7–12 days · Air: 24–48 hours · Call: 0565967337
Commercial cargo to the UAE at a glance
- Part load (LTL): from SAR 730 per cubic metre, or SAR 7.3 per kg above 100 kg.
- Full truckload (FTL): priced by truck type and load, arriving in 1–3 days.
- Sea container: 20 ft from SAR 2,275 and 40 ft from SAR 3,300, to Jebel Ali.
- Duties: GCC-origin goods are exempt with a certificate of origin, foreign goods pay 5%, and VAT is 5%.
- Documents: invoice, packing list, commercial registration, certificate of origin and an export declaration through Fasah.
- Delivery: Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Mussafah, Sharjah’s industrial areas and the rest of the UAE.
Send the goods’ type, weight and volume and get the priceRequest a quote
Commercial cargo prices from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
| Service | Pricing basis | Starts from | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part load (LTL) | per cubic metre | SAR 730 | 2–5 days |
| Part load (LTL) | per kg above 100 kg | SAR 7.3 | 2–5 days |
| Full truckload (FTL) | per truck and type | Quoted by load | 1–3 days |
| Refrigerated truck | per truck and temperature | Quoted by load | 1–3 days |
| 20 ft container by sea | port to Jebel Ali | SAR 2,275 | 7–12 days |
| 40 ft container by sea | port to Jebel Ali | SAR 3,300 | 7–12 days |
| Urgent samples and parcels by air | per kg | SAR 45 | 24–48 hours |
| Heavy equipment and raw materials | by weight and type | Quoted on request | 2–5 days |
📌 What the price covers
Transport, loading and clearance at both borders. Customs duty and VAT in the UAE are paid by the importer, and special packing and storage are charged when requested.
Full truckload (FTL) or part load (LTL)?
| Criterion | Part load (LTL) | Full truckload (FTL) |
|---|---|---|
| When it suits | A few pallets, up to half a truck | Goods that fill a truck or need one to themselves |
| Pricing | Per cubic metre or per kg | Per truck |
| Departure | When consolidation is complete, within one to three days | On the set day |
| Handling | Consolidated in a warehouse and loaded with others | Straight from your warehouse to the consignee’s |
| Transit | 2–5 days | 1–3 days |
| Seal | A seal on the shared truck | A seal for your shipment alone |
The practical rule: once your goods exceed half a truck, a full truck is cheaper per tonne, faster and handled less.
Truck types and what they carry
| Truck | Approx. payload | Suitable goods |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosed Dyna | up to 4 tonnes | Cartons and a few pallets |
| Enclosed lorry | up to 8 tonnes | Medium dry goods |
| Curtain-sided or enclosed trailer | up to 25 tonnes, about 26 pallets | A full commercial load |
| Refrigerated | by volume | Food, dairy, dates and medicines |
| Flatbed | up to 25 tonnes | Steel, building materials and containers |
| Low-bed | by weight and dimensions | Heavy equipment and machinery |
Which goods ship from Saudi Arabia to the UAE?
- General dry goods: manufactured products, plastics, paper, textiles and household goods.
- Food and dates: in refrigerated or dry trucks, with a health certificate and clear expiry dates.
- Medicines and medical supplies: with a permit from the competent authority in both countries and a cold chain where needed.
- Building and raw materials: steel, aluminium and petrochemicals, on flatbeds or in bulk.
- Equipment and machinery: on low-beds, with a road permit for oversize loads.
- Online-store orders: consolidated, cleared on one declaration and then distributed.
- Dangerous goods: not accepted in ordinary loads; they need permits and dedicated trucks.
Documents required for commercial cargo
| Document | Issued by | What it must contain |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | The exporter | Description, quantity, value and country of origin |
| Packing list | The exporter | Number of packages, each one’s weight and dimensions |
| Certificate of origin | The chamber of commerce | Certified; it is the condition for GCC exemption |
| Commercial registration | Exporter and importer | Valid |
| Export declaration | The broker through Fasah | The HS code for each item |
| Special certificates | The competent authority | Health for food, conformity for regulated products |
Check your paperwork on the international shipping documents page.
Customs and duties on goods in the UAE
- GCC origin: exempt from customs duty with a certified certificate of origin.
- Foreign origin: 5% duty on value for most items.
- VAT: 5% on commercial imports, paid by the importer.
- Free zone or mainland: goods entering a free zone such as Jebel Ali are treated differently from goods entering the local market, so this is settled before shipping.
- Fasah and Mirsal: the declaration is lodged in both systems before the truck reaches the border.
- HS code and labels: the correct code and Arabic product details shorten inspection.
Work out the shipment’s volume with the CBM calculator; the broker confirms the duty before loading.
Delivery terms: from the factory or to the door?
| Term | What Alfaris handles | What stays with the importer |
|---|---|---|
| From the exporter’s warehouse to the border | Pickup, transport and export | Import and transport inside the UAE |
| To the consignee’s warehouse, duties unpaid (DAP) | Full transport and clearance | Duties and VAT |
| Door to door | All of the above plus unloading | Paying any duties |
Sea freight for goods: when is it cheaper?
A 20 ft container to Jebel Ali starts from SAR 2,275 with Alfaris and a 40 ft from SAR 3,300, taking 7–12 days. Sea is cheaper for heavy goods and volumes in no hurry, and for cargo bound for the Jebel Ali Free Zone. Road is faster and simpler for the rest.
Air freight for samples and urgent orders
Air freight to the UAE starts from SAR 45 per kg with Alfaris and arrives in 24–48 hours. Traders use it for samples before a deal, for spare parts a production line depends on, and for small high-value orders.
Commercial delivery areas in the UAE
| Emirate | Areas | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Jebel Ali and its free zone, Al Quoz, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Investments Park | Jebel Ali needs the consignee’s customs code |
| Abu Dhabi | Mussafah, ICAD, KIZAD | Delivery to warehouses by appointment |
| Sharjah | Industrial areas, Al Saja’a, Hamriyah | A distribution hub for the Northern Emirates |
| Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | Industrial areas and free zones | A distribution run from Sharjah |
Storage, tracking and insurance
- Temporary storage: on pallets in an enclosed warehouse, where the distribution plan calls for it.
- Tracking: a shipment number with updates at loading, both borders and delivery, on the shipment tracking page.
- Insurance: optional, a percentage of the invoice value, and recommended for high-value goods.
- Proof of delivery: a report signed and stamped by the consignee’s warehouse.
Steps for shipping goods from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
- Send the details: goods type, weight, volume, pallet count and the loading and delivery cities, to 0565967337.
- Choose the service: LTL, FTL or a sea container.
- Receive the itemised price and loading date.
- Prepare the documents: invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and the Fasah authorisation.
- Loading: forklift, pallet wrapping, straps and seal.
- Crossing: Al Batha then Al Ghuwaifat, with an update at each.
- Delivery: unloading at the warehouse and a signed report.
Book your truck or your space on the next loadRequest a quote
Mistakes that cost a trader time and money
| Mistake | Result | The right way |
|---|---|---|
| An uncertified certificate of origin | 5% duty on GCC goods | Have it certified by the chamber before loading |
| A wrong HS code | Revaluation and delay | Check the code with the broker |
| An invoice that does not match the packing list | A full inspection | Match count, weight and value |
| Unwrapped pallets | Damage in handling | Wrapping, straps and corner guards |
| Not stating free zone or mainland | The wrong customs procedure | Settle it before the declaration is issued |
Related guides
- Road freight company from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
- Shipping rates from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
- Road freight from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
- Cheapest shipping company to the UAE
- Shipping company from Jeddah to the UAE
Article tags
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Frequently asked questions about commercial cargo from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
How much does commercial cargo from Saudi Arabia to the UAE cost?
From SAR 730 per cubic metre and SAR 7.3 per kg above 100 kg with Alfaris, and a full truck by its type.
How long does cargo shipping take?
1–3 days for a full truck from Riyadh and Dammam, 2–5 days for a part load, and 7–12 days by sea.
What is the cheapest way to ship goods to the UAE?
A road part load for small volumes, from SAR 730 per cubic metre, and a sea container for heavy volumes, from SAR 2,275.
What is the air freight rate per kg for goods?
From SAR 45 per kg, suited to samples and urgent orders.
How much does it cost to ship commercial vehicles and equipment?
A car starts from SAR 1,090 on a shared carrier, and equipment is priced by weight and dimensions.
Which is the best company for goods and commercial furniture to the UAE?
One that reviews the documents and HS code before loading and delivers against a stamped report. Alfaris starts from SAR 730 per cubic metre.
What documents are required to ship goods?
A commercial invoice, packing list, commercial registration, a certified certificate of origin and an export declaration through Fasah.
Is door-to-door cargo shipping available?
Yes, from your warehouse in Saudi Arabia to the consignee’s warehouse in the UAE, including clearance.
Do you ship to Jebel Ali, Mussafah and Sharjah?
Yes, and to Al Quoz, KIZAD, Hamriyah and the other industrial areas and free zones.
Is the cargo insured?
Yes, optionally, calculated as a percentage of the invoice value.
Is customs duty charged on Saudi goods in the UAE?
GCC-origin goods are exempt with a certified certificate of origin. Foreign-origin goods pay 5%, and VAT is 5%.
How many pallets does a full truck carry?
A trailer carries about 26 standard pallets and up to 25 tonnes.
Do you ship food and dates in refrigerated trucks?
Yes, at a controlled, recorded temperature, with a health certificate for commercial quantities.
