Moving to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is rapidly opening up to foreign professionals, but customs inspection of household goods remains one of the most thorough in the world. You should assume the container will be opened and its contents examined. We prepare moves to Saudi Arabia so that this inspection goes quickly: with a precise inventory, no prohibited items and documents ready before the ship arrives. We do the packing and loading in Wrocław; clearance and delivery are handled by a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
Which port – it depends on the city
The country is vast, and its main cities lie hundreds of kilometres apart. The choice of port affects the voyage time and the length of the overland leg.
| Destination city | Port | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah, Mecca, Medina | Jeddah on the Red Sea | the shortest voyage from Europe, approx. 2–3 weeks via the Suez Canal |
| Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran | Dammam on the Persian Gulf | a voyage around the Arabian Peninsula, approx. 4–5 weeks |
| Riyadh | Dammam or Jeddah | then by rail or lorry inland |
| Neom and the north-west | Red Sea ports | route planned individually |
Riyadh lies in the centre of the country, around 400 kilometres from Dammam and more than twice as far from Jeddah. For the capital, Dammam with onward overland transport is the usual choice.
Iqama and documents
- Iqama – the Saudi residence permit. Without it, duty-free clearance of household goods is usually not possible.
- A copy of your passport with a work or family visa.
- An inventory in English, ideally with key items translated into Arabic if our partner asks for it.
- A power of attorney for the customs agent.
- Attested documents – diplomas and civil status certificates needed for the visa. Check the attestation rules with the embassy before you leave, and carry the originals in your hand luggage.
What must not be in the container
Strictly prohibited
Alcohol, including collector's bottles, pork, drugs and pornographic material. If found, they can hold up the entire shipment and lead to serious consequences.
Controlled
Books, films, discs and data storage media may be reviewed. Religious items of other faiths only in quantities for personal use.
Requiring approval
Medicines containing controlled substances, drones, some radio devices and equipment with transmitters. We clarify such items before packing.
How we pack for Saudi inspection
Since the customs officer will open the boxes anyway, we pack them so they can be checked without damaging the contents: with a clear description on the side, a number from the inventory and no mixing of categories in one box. We protect furniture in a way that lets inspectors look inside drawers without removing all the wrapping. After the inspection our partner repacks opened boxes before delivery. We describe packing for sea shipments in more detail under container moving, and customs documents on our customs clearance page.
Saudi Arabia – questions
Is inspection of contents mandatory?
In practice household goods shipments are checked very often, usually physically. We always allow time for inspection in the moving plan.
How long does a move from Wrocław to Riyadh take?
Usually six to ten weeks, including the voyage to Dammam, clearance and overland delivery. A lot depends on when your iqama is issued.
Can I ship audio equipment and a television?
Yes, used household electronics are allowed. Devices with transmitters, such as walkie-talkies or drones, may need checking.
What about items that cannot be imported?
We leave them in Poland – you can give them to family or keep them in our warehouse in Wrocław for the duration of your contract.
Moving to Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam
We will prepare your shipment for Saudi customs inspection. The quote is free.
Free quote