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JAPAN – SAUDI ARABIA TRADE LANE NEW PAGE

Japan to Saudi Arabia Freight: Automotive and Industrial Cargo

Japan is a major source of vehicles, auto parts, machinery and industrial equipment for Saudi Arabia. ShipVerge books sea freight from Japan's main ports and air freight from Narita and Kansai, clears it in Saudi Arabia and delivers to your door.

Reviewed by Hammad Basravi, Operations Manager, Freight & Customs · Indicative rates as of October 2026

Sea to Dammam 22–32 days
Sea to Jeddah 25–35 days
Air cargo 3–6 days
Express courier 3–5 working days
ROUTE MAP

Japan to Saudi Arabia, live on the map.

Sea22–32 days
Air3–6 days
AFGHANISTANCHINAEGYPTETHIOPIAINDONESIAINDIAIRANIRAQKAZAKHSTANKENYALAOSMYANMARMONGOLIAMALAYSIAOMANPAKISTAN Yokohama Riyadh Jeddah JAPAN SAUDI ARABIA
Indicative routing. Exact sea and air routing is confirmed with every quote.
INSTANT QUOTE

Pick an option. Get your quote on WhatsApp.

Indicative rates · we reply with an exact quote, usually within the working day
FCL / LCL seaYokohama / Kobe → Dammam22–32 days port to portLimited sailings: quote on requestGet this quoteFCL / LCL seaYokohama / Kobe → Jeddah25–35 days port to port20ft 7,500–10,500 · 40ft 9,000–11,500Get this quoteAir cargoNarita / Kansai → RUH / JED / DMM3–6 days door to airportUSD 4–7 per kgGet this quoteExpress courierJapan → KSA3–5 working days door to doorLive on platformGet this quote
DELIVERY BY CITY

Shipping from Japan to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam

Typical door-to-city transit, plus 3–7 working days for customs clearance. Read the complete guide to shipping to Saudi Arabia →

Japan to Riyadh

By sea26–37 days via Jeddah, then road
Air into RUH3–6 days

Cleared at Jeddah or King Khalid Airport (RUH), delivered by road

Customs clearance in Riyadh →

Japan to Jeddah

By sea25–35 days port to port
Air into JED3–6 days

Jeddah Islamic Port or King Abdullah Port, the main open gateway in 2026

Customs clearance in Jeddah →

Japan to Dammam

By sea22–32 days direct (limited sailings in 2026)
Air into DMM3–6 days

King Abdulaziz Port when sailings run, otherwise via Jeddah or the UAE landbridge

Customs clearance in Dammam →

Origin ports and Saudi arrival hubs

FROM JAPAN

Seaports Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Osaka
Airports Tokyo Narita NRT, Tokyo Haneda HND, Osaka Kansai KIX

INTO SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah Islamic Port & King Abdullah Port Western region, Makkah and Madinah
King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam Eastern Province, and Riyadh by road
JED, RUH and DMM airports Air cargo and express

Transit times and indicative rates

Route Mode Transit (indicative) Rate
Yokohama / Kobe → Dammam FCL / LCL sea 22–32 days port to port Limited sailings: quote on request
Yokohama / Kobe → Jeddah FCL / LCL sea 25–35 days port to port 20ft 7,500–10,500 · 40ft 9,000–11,500
Narita / Kansai → RUH / JED / DMM Air cargo 3–6 days door to airport USD 4–7 per kg
Japan → KSA Express courier 3–5 working days door to door Live on platform

Market notice. Customs clearance typically adds 3–7 working days. Indicative market ranges, October 2026, in USD: port-to-port base freight, excluding war-risk and emergency surcharges, THC and local charges. Rates are elevated because of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, and several carriers have suspended Dammam and Jubail bookings, so most sea cargo currently moves via Jeddah or King Abdullah Port plus road.

What we ship from Japan

Auto parts and tyres Industrial machinery Robotics Electronics Precision instruments Construction equipment Medical and diagnostic equipment

Japan lane compliance notes

1

SABER. Auto parts and electrical goods usually need SABER certificates.

2

Used equipment rules. Used vehicles and machinery are subject to Saudi age and condition rules. Check eligibility before you buy.

3

Medical devices. Medical and diagnostic equipment needs SFDA medical device authorization.

How the Japan lane works

1

Get a rate

Send the origin city, commodity, weight or volume and your Saudi hub. We quote within one working day.

2

We book and collect

We book space and arrange pickup from your supplier, or receive the cargo at the port under FOB.

3

We clear it in KSA

Our clearance team files through FASAH and handles SABER and SFDA checks before arrival.

4

We deliver to your door

Released cargo moves straight into our domestic LTL and FTL network to your warehouse.

Before you ship: documents, SABER and duty

Documents you need

  • Commercial invoice with HS codes, values, Incoterm and country of origin
  • Packing list matching the invoice line for line
  • Certificate of origin from the origin chamber of commerce
  • Bill of lading or air waybill, issued by us or the carrier
  • SABER and SFDA certificates or permits, where required
  • Importer details: CR, VAT number and customs importer code

Mismatched details are the most common cause of clearance delays. We check the full set before your cargo ships.

SABER, SFDA and restricted goods

Most regulated products need a Product Certificate (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate (SCoC) on SABER. The SCoC must be issued before the customs declaration is filed, or cargo cannot clear.

Food, cosmetics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals need SFDA registration or a release permit. Alcohol, pork products and narcotics cannot be imported.

Send us your HS code and we'll check →

Duty and VAT

Customs duty is charged on the CIF value. Most goods attract 5%, some are duty-free and some carry higher rates. VAT of 15% is then charged on CIF plus duty.

We confirm the exact duty rate for your HS code with your quote, so there are no surprises on arrival.

Which Incoterm?

FOB (recommended): your supplier loads the vessel; we handle everything after. You control cost and timing.

EXW: we collect from the factory. Best when the supplier has no export experience.

CIF / CFR: the supplier books freight. Cheaper upfront, less control, higher destination charges.

DAP / DDP: delivered to your door. DAP quoted as standard; DDP case by case.

Japan lane FAQ

How long does shipping from Japan to Saudi Arabia take?

Sea freight takes about 22–35 days depending on the Saudi port, plus customs clearance. Air cargo takes 3–6 days.

Can I import used machinery from Japan?

Often yes, subject to Saudi age and condition rules. Send us the model, year and photos and we'll check.

Which Saudi port is best for Japanese cargo?

Dammam is usually faster for Riyadh and the Eastern Province; Jeddah for the western region.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Tell us what you're importing from Japan

The more detail you give, the faster we quote. We reply with the best mode and the full landed cost within one working day.

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