Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Saudi Arabia

The United States and Saudi Arabia are two of the world’s most influential nations. This helps fuel their trade relationship, which has implications for their respective economies and the international market. 

Over the years, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have maintained a robust trade relationship. In fact, in 2022, the U.S. exported $11.4 billion worth of goods to Saudi Arabia, with the top exports comprising transportation equipment, arms, and ammunition. 

If you are looking to ship goods from the United States to Saudi Arabia, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will cover everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, transit times, costs, and more. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Saudi Arabia?

You can either engage ocean or air freight to ship freight from the United States to Saudi Arabia. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Saudi Arabia

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from the United States to Saudi Arabia. This is because of its budget-friendliness and flexibility. It’s cheaper than air freight by a long shot and can accommodate all types of cargo you need to transport. 

Ocean freight also offers ​​two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers to transport small volumes of goods. Their cargo will be consolidated with those belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for their goods' space, making it an economical choice for small cargo. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire unit for their goods alone. This is best for large and heavy-weight shipments occupying the entire container's space. 

Air Freight from the United States to Saudi Arabia

The second option for shipping from the United States to Saudi Arabia is air freight. Being the fastest mode of international shipping, it’s preferred by shippers who need to get their cargo to its destination fast, such as those with time-sensitive or perishable shipments. 

Shippers transporting high-value goods also like air freight because strict airport regulations and processes help guarantee cargo security during transit. 

Air freight, however, has its cons. The first is its cost, which is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. The second is its restrictions. It cannot ship all cargo types and limits the weight, size, and volume of shipments. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Saudi Arabia?

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Saudi Arabia depends on several factors. These include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Saudi Arabia:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Saudi Arabia?

The duration for shipping goods from the United States to Saudi Arabia is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Saudi Arabia?

If you ship by sea, you can expect your cargo to arrive in about 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Saudi Arabia?

Conversely, if you ship by air, your cargo will arrive in Saudi Arabia in 2 to 8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Saudi Arabia

When your goods arrive in Saudi Arabia, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This requires that you submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you need to see examples of these customs clearance requirements, we have a full documents list you can peruse. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean freight and air freight both offer unique advantages for shippers. Which one is best for you will depend on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you choose. 

Ocean Freight

If you are shipping on a budget or have unique requirements for your cargo, you should ship by sea. Ocean freight is known as the most cost-efficient and flexible mode of international transport, and it can transport your cargo to its destination regardless of its size, weight, or volume. 

When you choose to ship by sea, you must choose whether to engage LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Choose LCL if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

Choose FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If you need your cargo to arrive in Saudi Arabia quickly, we recommend shipping by air. Air freight only takes 2 to 8 days to complete, which makes it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. It’s also the most secure, allowing you to ship high-value goods without worrying about damage or loss. 

However, air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible and unable to accommodate all cargo types, weights, sizes, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Los Angeles 

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the United States and North America. It has the capacity to handle over 10 million TEUs annually and has an annual cargo tonnage of 222 million metric tonnes. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the third busiest port in the United States. It handles over 8 million TEUs per year. It boasts a well-developed infrastructure with ongoing investments in sustainability and automation to make it more competitive globally. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston handles over 2 million TEUs annually, making it among the busiest ports in the United States. It serves as a gateway for trade between Central and South America and the rest of the world. The port handles a range of cargo types, from containers to breakbulk. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah Islamic Port

The Jeddah Islamic Port is Saudi Arabia's busiest port. It’s located in Jeddah, the nation’s third-largest city with a long history of trading. The port is hailed as the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia, handling 75% of the nation’s global maritime trade. 

King Abdul Aziz Port

The King Abdul Aziz Port is the biggest port facility in the Persian Gulf and is also hailed as one of the busiest ports in the Middle East and North Africa. The port mainly handles shipments to and from the oil and natural gas industry. 

King Fahad Industrial Port

The King Fahad Industrial Port is the biggest outlet for crude and refined petroleum in Saudi Arabia. With routes through the Suez Canal and Bab Al Mandab Strait, it’s the closest port to North America, Europe, and the Far East. 

Air Freight from the United States to Saudi Arabia: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the United States, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo annually. It houses over 40 cargo carriers and offers direct flights to 60 nations. The airport is well-equipped to handle high volumes of cargo traffic. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the United States’ third busiest cargo airport. It handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport is home to some of the largest air freight companies in the U.S., including the UPS Worldport. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the United States and ranks at the top in the rest of the world. It’s in Alaska, making it a prime location for shipments from Asia. 

Airports of arrival in Saudi Arabia

King Fahd International Airport

The King Fahd International Airport, also known as Dammam International Airport, serves the city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia. The airport handles over 138,000 tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for Saudia, Flynas, flyadeal, SaudiGulf Airlines, and Sama.

King Abdulaziz International Airport

The King Abdulaziz International Airport serves the cities of Jeddah and Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is a hub for Saudia, Flynas, flyadeal, National Air Services, ASACO, and more. This airport also handles over 4,003 metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

King Khalid International Airport 

The King Khalid International Airport is located 35 kilometers north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It handles over 2,649 metric tonnes of goods per year. The airport is a hub for Saudia, Flynas, flyadeal, Riyadh Air, and more.