Customs Clearance in Saudi Arabia: A Complete Guide

What is customs clearance?

Customs clearance is the process of getting goods approved by Saudi Customs to enter or leave the Kingdom. It covers declaring the shipment, classifying goods under the correct HS code, paying duties and taxes, and meeting conformity requirements before release.

A licensed customs broker handles this on your behalf — preparing documents, submitting through the FASAH platform, and coordinating inspection and release at the port.

Documents you need

At a minimum you will need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and a certificate of origin. Many products also require SABER/SASO conformity certificates or specific permits depending on the goods.

Incomplete or inconsistent documents are the most common cause of delay. A broker reviews everything before submission to keep your shipment moving.

Duties, FASAH and release

Saudi Arabia applies customs duties based on HS classification, plus VAT. Declarations are filed electronically through FASAH, the national single-window platform.

Once duties are paid and any inspection is cleared, Customs issues release and a delivery order is obtained from the shipping line or port — after which your cargo can be collected and transported.

How to avoid delays

Prepare documents early, confirm HS codes and conformity requirements before shipping, and use an experienced broker who knows the specific port. NAQL clears cargo at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam), Riyadh Dry Port and land borders, and can combine clearance with onward delivery on our owned fleet.