Shipping machinery and equipment from China to Saudi Arabia

As of November 2026, Golden Way ships machinery for Saudi Arabia by sea from China to Khor Fakkan on the UAE east coast, then by truck across the Ghuwaifat–Batha border, because Saudi Gulf ports such as Dammam get few direct calls while the Strait of Hormuz is closed. The Saudi importer needs SABER certificates before the truck reaches the border and pays duty by HS code plus 15% VAT. A Jeddah sailing is assessed per booking.

At a glance

How it works

1. Check the machineSend drawings, packed dimensions, weight and HS code so we can confirm the duty rate, SABER needs and container type.
2. Start SABER earlyThe Saudi importer obtains the SABER product certificate, then requests a shipment certificate for this consignment.
3. Pack and exportThe supplier crates and lashes the machine, we file the Chinese export declaration, and the container sails from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen or Nansha.
4. Land outside HormuzAs of November 2026 the container is discharged at Khor Fakkan and crosses the UAE under a sealed transit declaration, with no UAE duty.
5. Cross at BathaThe truck crosses with an advance FASAH declaration, the SABER shipment certificate and a CMR; duty and VAT are paid in Saudi Arabia.
6. Deliver to siteThe truck continues to the factory or project site, where the unit is unloaded with suitable lifting gear.

How we route Saudi cargo in 2026

Since 28 February 2026 the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to normal container shipping, so Dammam and Jubail, both inside the Gulf, receive far fewer direct calls. Golden Way's published sea routes run from China to the UAE and Oman. For Saudi Arabia we land the container at Khor Fakkan and truck it through the UAE in transit to Ghuwaifat–Batha, the only road crossing into the Kingdom, where queues can last hours or days. A scheduled UAE–Riyadh–Jeddah truck line is listed as coming next, so the team confirms truck capacity for each booking. A Jeddah sailing is possible after checking Red Sea conditions and carrier rules.

SABER and machinery safety rules

Almost all industrial goods sold in Saudi Arabia fall under a SASO technical regulation, machinery included. The Saudi importer registers each model on SABER and obtains a Product Certificate of Conformity from an approved body, which may need test reports or a factory audit, then a Shipment Certificate for each consignment. SASO's machinery safety regulations include Part 1 for portable and hand-held machines and Part 3 for lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts and slings, which requires a certificate for new and used equipment and Arabic safety instructions. Radio remote controls need CST type approval, and used machinery can be restricted.

Duty, VAT and exemptions

Saudi customs duty is charged on the CIF value. Many lines pay 5%, but Saudi Arabia has raised rates on many products since 2020, and the November 2025 tariff amendment set some items at up to 20%, so the 12-digit HS code matters. Import VAT is 15% of CIF plus duty: at a 5% line, CIF SAR 100,000 pays SAR 5,000 duty and SAR 15,750 VAT. Licensed industrial establishments can apply to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources for exemption on machinery, equipment and spare parts used in production. The importer must be a Saudi company with a commercial registration on FASAH.

Packing, oversized units and palletising

Machines spend weeks in heat and humidity and then on a long truck leg, so they must be blocked, braced and lashed following the CTU Code, with anti-rust protection and ISPM 15 treated crates. Units larger than a container door need an open top or flat rack, and several carriers suspended out-of-gauge bookings to many Gulf ports in 2026, so confirm acceptance first. Saudi Arabia has required containerised imports to be palletised since 8 May 2025, with approved exemptions for heavy machinery. Declare engines and batteries as dangerous goods where they qualify. Machine tools can be dual-use, so we screen every shipment before quoting.

Checklist before you book

• Saudi importer's commercial registration and FASAH account confirmed
• HS code checked against the ZATCA tariff
• SABER product certificate issued and shipment certificate requested
• Arabic safety instructions for regulated machines
• Packed dimensions, weight and lifting points on the drawing
• Palletising exemption approved for heavy units
• Invoice, packing list and certificate of origin matching
• Cargo insurance with war and strikes cover

Questions

Read next

General information checked against the sources below. Our team confirms the route, papers and timing for your shipment before booking; prices are quoted per shipment.

Sources

1. ZATCA: Customs customer journey (FASAH registration and broker authorisation)
2. SASO: Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety, Part 1: Portable and Hand-oriented Machines
3. SASO: Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety, Part 3: Lifting Equipment
4. SASO: SABER conformity platform
5. US Trade.gov: Saudi Arabia import requirements and documentation (FASAH pre-arrival filing, palletisation)
6. Arab News: Saudi industry ministry processes customs exemption requests for licensed factories (January 2026)
7. Deloitte: GCC supply chain facilitation measures in KSA, UAE and Oman (2026)
8. Lloyd's List Intelligence: Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026