Due to its location, temperature, and laws, shipping products into and out of Saudi Arabia can be difficult. Selecting the appropriate shipping company is critical to ensuring that your goods reach on time and in good condition.

This article examines the top 11 finest Shipping Companies in Saudi Arabia.

How We Ranked the Top Shipping Companies in Saudi Arabia

We ranked the best shipping companies in Saudi Arabia based on the following criteria:

• Experience: Companies with over 10+ years of shipping experience in Saudi Arabia.
• Services: Companies offering extensive shipping services via sea, air, road, and rail.
• Coverage: Companies with wide coverage of ports and destinations across Saudi Arabia.
• Technology: Companies providing online tracking, analytics, and shipping management tech.
• Rates: Companies offering competitive pricing and options.
• Reputation: Companies with a track record of good service and reviews.
• Certifications: Companies approved and certified for shipping in Saudi Arabia.

Using these criteria, here are the 10 best shipping companies in Saudi Arabia:

Agility

Agility is one of the Middle East’s major logistics firms and a favored choice for shipping to Saudi Arabia. The organization has over 40 years of expertise and is well-versed in Saudi customs procedures.

Agility provides comprehensive shipping solutions including:

• Air freight: Agility handles air cargo at 18 major Saudi airports.
• Ocean freight: Full and less than container load (LCL) options available.
• Overland transport: Road and rail transport covers the GCC region.
• Warehousing: Extensive storage and distribution center network.
• Project logistics: Expertise shipping heavy equipment like generators, turbines, and machinery.

In addition, the company offers supply chain analytics, customs brokerage, and digital logistics systems. Agility simplifies shipping to Saudi Arabia with its end-to-end services.

DHL Express

With over 50 service sites, DHL Express is one of the leading international couriers in Saudi Arabia. The organization is well-known for its efficiency, dependability, and service in air, ocean, and road freight.

Key services offered by DHL Express in Saudi Arabia include:

• Express delivery: Time-critical air freight shipments.
• Airport-to-airport shipping: Direct airline cargo services.
• Domestic delivery: Road transportation covering all major Saudi cities.
• Import/export expertise: Assisting with customs clearance.
• Digital tracking: Shipment tracking via web and mobile app provide full visibility.

With the largest air freight network in Saudi Arabia, DHL Express delivers shipments faster.

FedEx

FedEx is a global express transportation leader and a well-known name in shipping to Saudi Arabia. To ensure on-time delivery, the organization employs innovative logistics technologies and efficient operations.

Key FedEx Saudi Arabia services:

• Priority overnight delivery: Fastest air freight option directly to destinations across Saudi.
• 2-day and 3-5 day delivery: Affordable air freight options.
• International priority and economy: Ocean and road freight options.
• Dangerous goods specialist: Certified to ship regulated goods like chemicals and batteries.
• Logistics solutions: Warehousing, distribution, order fulfillment, and supply chain management services.
• Online tracking: Detailed tracking and notifications via the FedEx web portal.

FedEx is one of the top shipping companies in Saudi Arabia for time-sensitive shipments.

CEVA Logistics

To Saudi Arabia, CEVA Logistics provides worldwide logistics and freight forwarding services. They are an excellent option for routine sea and air imports and exports.

Services include:

• Ocean freight forwarding options include LCL and FCL.
• Airport-to-airport and door-to-door delivery are both options for air freight.
• Overland trucking: Road transportation to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
• Helping with customs documentation across borders.
• Digital tracking: Tracking in real time via web and EDI.
• Warehousing and distribution: Inventory storage in seven Saudi Arabian facilities.

CEVA Logistics is an excellent choice for an established freight forwarder with global contacts.

DB Schenker

DB Schenker is a German logistics firm with a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, with 17 offices. They offer a wide range of transportation options, including:

• FCL and LCL container choices for ocean freight.
• Air freight: International airport-to-airport transportation.
• Overland transportation: Road and rail freight serve the GCC.
• Third-party warehousing and fulfillment are examples of contract logistics.
• Supply chain management includes integrated logistical services as well as visibility tools.
• Hazardous materials certification: Authorized for transporting hazardous materials.
• Trade shows and events: We have experience transporting display goods.

DB Schenker makes shipping to and from Saudi Arabia easier with integrated global transportation and sophisticated supply chains.

GAC

GAC is the Middle East’s top shipping and logistics company. For almost 40 years, the company has been functioning in Saudi Arabia.

GAC Saudi Arabia services include:

• Ocean freight forwarding services include FCL, LCL, and bulk alternatives.
• Charter flights between the Middle East and Asia are known as air freight charters.
• Trucking and intermodal services are examples of road transport.
• Ship spares logistics entails transporting spare parts to vessels in port.
• Transfer of liquids and gases in ISO tank containers.
• Supercargo services: supervision and coordination of on-ground operations.

GAC has in-depth expertise navigating Saudi customs, ports, and air freight.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Hellmann Global Logistics, founded in 1871 in Germany, is one of the world’s most recognized freight forwarders. The company offers dependable shipping options to Saudi Arabia, including:

• Freight forwarding by air and sea
• Distribution on the ground
• Contract logistics and warehousing
• Insurance for cargo
• Supply chain administration
• Handling Hazardous Goods
• Logistics for trade shows and events
• Logistics in the oil and gas sector

Hellmann is a complete logistics company that ensures safe and compliant delivery to Saudi Arabia.

Kuehne + Nagel

Kuehne + Nagel is one of the world’s leading logistics firms, with operations in over 100 countries, including Saudi Arabia. The following are examples of core services:

• LCL, FCL, and traditional vessel choices for seafreight.
• Airport-to-airport and door-to-door air cargo are examples of airfreight.
• Regional trucking and intermodal transportation are examples of overland transportation.
• Storage, distribution, and order processing are all examples of contract logistics.
• Feasibility planning, heavy lift transportation, and installation supervision are all part of the project logistics.
• Oil and gas logistics include extraction, production, and distribution solutions.
• Fulfillment of e-commerce orders

Kuehne + Nagel is an excellent choice for integrated logistics services.

Maersk

Maersk is a great alternative for ocean freight to and from Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s major container shipping companies. The company makes calls at seven main Saudi ports and offers comprehensive sea freight forwarding services.

Maersk Saudi Arabia ocean freight solutions include:

• Flexible container load alternatives include FCL and LCL.
• Cross-docking is the process of transferring cargo from the sea to road conveyance.
• Customs clearance: Use local knowledge to navigate procedures and rapidly release cargo.
• Hazardous cargo certification: Authorized for transporting risky items.
• Refrigerated cargo containers are used in cold chain logistics.
• Inland trucking is the conveyance of goods from ports to customers’ homes.

Maersk simplifies Saudi Arabia ocean freight with frequent sailings and a dedicated local team.

Aramex

Aramex is a global logistics and transportation firm headquartered in Jordan that was formed in 1982. The company is well-known throughout the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia.

Key services provided by Aramex in Saudi Arabia include:

• Express delivery – Time-sensitive door-to-door delivery of parcels and packages.
• Domestic services include ground transportation and delivery throughout Saudi Arabia’s cities.
• International shipping consists of air and ocean freight forwarding to locations all over the world.
• Warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfillment are all examples of contract logistics.
• Last mile delivery – E-commerce and omnichannel retail specialty services.
• Hazardous goods certification entails being approved to transport hazardous materials.
• Shop and Ship – Addresses in over 200 places for international e-commerce shipping.

Aramex is a strong alternative for e-commerce and retail shipping in Saudi Arabia, with a concentration on quick parcel delivery and logistics technology.

Zajel

Zajel is Saudi Arabia’s national mail carrier, founded in 2002. Around the Kingdom, the firm handles domestic and international mail and shipments.

Key services offered by Zajel in Saudi Arabia:

• Postal services include mail and parcel delivery both domestically and internationally.
• Express delivery is used for time-sensitive domestic parcel deliveries.
• Warehousing and inventory management are examples of third-party logistics.
• Land, air, and ocean freight locally and internationally.
• Specialist services – Financial documents, healthcare goods, and so on.
• Tracking, address management, and data services are examples of digital services.

Zajel understands the Saudi market and rules as the national mail carrier. They offer dependable delivery services around the country.

Key Considerations for Shipping to Saudi Arabia

Keep the following tips in mind when choosing a logistics partner to ship cargo to Saudi Arabia:

• Transit timeframes – Allow for additional time for customs clearance and inland transit over long distances. For time-sensitive shipments, air freight is the fastest option.
• Paperwork – To minimize costly delays, work with a vendor who is familiar with Saudi import/export documents.
• Banned items – Certain things, such as alcohol and pork, require prior approval and specific handling.
• Temperature control – Due to the severe heat, climate-controlled transportation and warehousing may be required.
• Cargo insurance is recommended in order to safeguard against damage, loss, and delays.
• Customs duties – When estimating shipping costs, include Saudi import tariffs, taxes, and port/handling fees.
• Port restrictions – Some hazardous cargo categories are restricted at Riyadh Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port.