China and Saudi Arabia share a significant trading partnership, with China being one of Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partners. This robust relationship has spurred the need for efficient and reliable transportation methods. Sea freight has emerged as a favored mode of transport due to its cost-effectiveness and capacity to accommodate large volumes of goods, This article explores the intricacies of sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia, Basenton Logistics is one such company. It connects importers with exporters and transports goods from one country to another. We’ll see how it facilitates trade flows between Saudi Arabia and China.
Process of Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
We will begin by delineating the process of shipment in the following steps;
Packing:
After the production has finished or if no production was involved, the goods have been procured the process of packing begins. The goods are packed in standard export worthy packages or as requested by the buyer.
Pick up:
Once packing is done, the cargo is picked up by the authorized forwarder from the supplier’s warehouse. It is now headed for the seaport or airport as the case may be.
Delivery:
Once the cargo has reached the port it is delivered there and stored in the warehouse. It now awaits pick up by the vessel which could be a ship or the airplane.
Free warehousing:
The cargo is housed in the port’s warehouse for free. The free period lasts for 30 days. The goods are loaded onto the vessel much before the expiry of the free period.
Custom clearance:
At the port, goods are cleared by customs officials for onward shipment. They inspect the goods and check the accuracy of the shipping documents attached to the cargo. After levying the relevant tariffs goods are cleared for shipment.
Cargo Insurance:
At this step, the goods are also insured against unseen calamities. Usually, it is done against the invoice value attached to the cargo.
Cargo supervision:
At the port, the cargo is supervised by the port authorities against theft, mishandling, damage, and misuse. It is stored in a safe place under close surveillance.
Unloading and distribution:
After everything is said and done, the goods are eventually loaded on the vessel for their final destination. The goods are placed carefully in their designated space and sent off.
Basenton Logistics can help you in every step of the above processes. It has the knowledge and the manpower to execute these tasks and let the goods reach their destination safely.
A Comprehensive guide Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
This guide equips you with all the information you need while Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia.
Importing goods from China, the country of origin must be marked on all goods, and each one need marked Made in China. The goods can be confiscated if there is no such mention.
While you will find some variance in the transit times for freight shipped between China and the KSA, you will encounter much more in the range of cost options.
You will get enough space even during peak season whether you ship by air or ship by sea.DFH can ship your goods to Saudi Arabia by FCL, LCL, Roll on Roll off, etc based on your goods.
It often takes 4 to 5 weeks to ship by sea. Arrange a pick up in any city of China, and let DFH ship your goods by air with very competitive shipping rate, and delivery time takes 3 to 5 days
China has state of the art airports all across the country. They offer convenient routes and major international connectives like shenzhen, shanghai, Beijing …
The most popular city destinations in Saudi Arabia are Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Madinah, you can choose by air to the airport, by sea to the seaport, or by express to door free.
Basenton provides professional services like goods packing, paperwork, loading and unloading, insurance, and more. Request a quick quote and reduce your shipping cost now.
Basenton has a presence in all the major countries of the world. We are uniquely positioned to provide excellent logistical support to your consignment right until its final destination.
Main ports and shipping routes from China to Saudi Arabia
Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia involves a network of ports and shipping routes that facilitate the transportation of goods. Here are the main ports and shipping routes commonly used for this trade route:
Chinese Ports:
Shanghai Port: Located in the eastern part of China, Shanghai is one of the world’s busiest ports and serves as a major gateway for goods leaving China.
Shenzhen Port: Situated in Guangdong province, Shenzhen is another significant port for goods destined for Saudi Arabia. It’s close to the Pearl River Delta manufacturing region.
Ningbo Port: Located in Zhejiang province, Ningbo is one of China’s busiest ports and handles a substantial volume of container traffic.
Shipping Routes:
Indian Ocean Route: The primary shipping route between China and Saudi Arabia involves vessels traveling through the Indian Ocean. Ships leave Chinese ports and pass through the South China Sea, entering the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca. They then sail south along the eastern coast of India and proceed westward toward the Arabian Sea.
Suez Canal Route: Once ships reach the Arabian Sea, they often enter the Suez Canal, a man-made waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. This route provides a shortcut for vessels traveling between Asia and Europe and is commonly used for goods bound for Europe and the eastern United States.
Red Sea Route: If ships do not pass through the Suez Canal, they continue southward along the eastern coast of Africa and enter the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. This route leads to Saudi Arabian ports along the Red Sea coast.
Saudi Arabian Ports:
Jeddah Islamic Port: Located in Jeddah, on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, this is Saudi Arabia’s largest and most important port. It serves as a major entry point for goods coming from China and other international destinations.
King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam Port): Situated in the city of Dammam on the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf), this port handles cargo destined for the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, the capital city.
King Fahd Industrial Port (Yanbu Port): Located in Yanbu, along the Red Sea coast, Yanbu Port is a significant industrial and commercial port in Saudi Arabia.
Jubail Commercial Port: Jubail, also on the Arabian Gulf, is another important port for the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah Port: This relatively new port, located in Rabigh on the Red Sea coast, has been developed to accommodate the growing demand for container handling in the region.
These ports and shipping routes form the backbone of sea freight between China and Saudi Arabia, facilitating the exchange of goods and contributing to the strong trade relationship between the two countries. Businesses involved in this trade route must carefully plan their logistics and consider factors such as transit times and customs regulations to ensure smooth operations.
Custom regulations Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Like any other country, the import of goods is subject to certain custom regulations in Saudi Arabia as well. We present some important regulations below;
The importer of goods must be in Saudi Arabia at the time of clearance of goods by the customs.
Consolidated and/or groupage shipments are not allowed in Saudi Arabia. Any violation of this is heavily fined.
Shipments arriving in the country are subject to physical inspection by the customs authorities. This includes household goods and personal effects.
Shipments are subject to local customs duty and/or taxes as the case may be.
Shipments are valued locally and rates may vary according to the nature of the item.
Packing lists must be prominently displayed on all containers showing the contents therein as well as the name and address of the importer.
A full inspection of the goods will be carried out where no packing list is displayed.
The country of origin must be marked on all goods. The goods can be confiscated if there is no such mention.
For certain items, the clearance may be required from relevant government quarters and ministries. They will clear the goods after due inspection and quality checks.
Custom duty in Saudi Arabia:
Most of the basic food and consumer items have no custom duty in Saudi Arabia. This includes items like wheat, rice, meat, sugar, tea, barley, unroasted coffee, cardamom, etc.
An average custom duty of 4.85% (excluding agricultural products) is imposed on most of the items.
To support the local industry, a customs duty of 20% is imposed on some items that are produced locally.
The custom duties are generally valued Ad Valorem on the CIF value. For certain items, custom duty is imposed based on weight and measurements.
Certain Arab and GCC member states with whom Saudi Arabia has signed bilateral trade agreements are given preferential and low tariffs to encourage regional trade.
HS Code in Saudi Arabia:
HS code system is prevalent all over the world. It stands for harmonized commodity description and coding system. It is an internationally recognized product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization. Saudi Arabia too recognizes this system and applies it.
How long does it take to Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
The transit time for sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia can vary depending on several factors, including the specific ports of departure and arrival, the shipping route taken, the shipping company, weather conditions, and other logistical considerations. Here are some approximate transit times for common routes:
Shanghai to Jeddah (via Suez Canal): This is one of the most common routes for sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia. The transit time for this route is typically around 20 to 30 days, depending on various factors.
Shenzhen to Jeddah (via Suez Canal): Similar to the Shanghai to Jeddah route, the transit time for shipments from Shenzhen to Jeddah via the Suez Canal is also around 20 to 30 days.
Shanghai to Dammam (via Suez Canal): For shipments destined for Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, the transit time can be slightly shorter, typically around 18 to 28 days.
Shenzhen to Dammam (via Suez Canal): The transit time for shipments from Shenzhen to Dammam via the Suez Canal is also around 18 to 28 days.
Shanghai to Yanbu (via Red Sea): For shipments traveling to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, the transit time can be roughly 25 to 35 days, as this route involves sailing around the southern tip of India.
Shenzhen to Yanbu (via Red Sea): Similar to the Shanghai to Yanbu route, shipments from Shenzhen to Yanbu via the Red Sea can also take around 25 to 35 days.
Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia. Delays can occur due to factors like weather conditions, port congestion, customs clearance, and the specific shipping company’s schedules and practices, Contact the Basenton Ocean Freight Company with the most up-to-date information, in addition, companies should consider additional customs clearance time and inland transportation to the final destination in Saudi Arabia.
Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Sea freight from China to Saudi Arabia serves as a crucial link in their strong trading relationship. Despite the challenges posed by distance, weather, and regulations, the benefits of cost-effectiveness, large volume capacity, and environmental considerations make sea freight an integral part of the global trade landscape. As technology and infrastructure continue to advance, the efficiency and reliability of this trade route are likely to improve, further strengthening the economic ties between these two nations.
You choose Basenton Logistics because we will take care of your shipment in a most professional and consummate way. Our team of dedicated professionals will rush to serve you in the best way possible. Our rates are most competitive and we provide value for money. We know our job very well. We have a presence in all the major countries of the world. We are uniquely positioned to provide excellent logistical support to your consignment right until its final destination.
