Notes on exporting auto parts from China to Saudi Arabia

I. Choice of transportation mode

1. Ocean transportation (mainly recommended mode)

Advantages: cost-effective, suitable for large quantities of goods; Saudi Arabia’s major port facilities are complete (such as Jeddah Port and Dammam Port)

Notes:

Learn about the customs clearance efficiency of Saudi ports in advance (Jeddah Port is relatively fast)

Consider the choice of full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL)

Pay attention to the sea transportation time (usually 20-35 days)

2. Air transportation

Applicable scenarios: high-value, urgently needed spare parts

Notes:

The cost is about 4-8 times that of sea transportation

Main Saudi airport ports: Riyadh King Khalid Airport, Jeddah King Abdulaziz Airport

3. Land + sea transportation (Central Asia route)

Applicable scenarios: Exports from western China can be considered

Notes: Unstable transportation time and high political risks

II. Key points of risk control

1. Certification and compliance risks

SASO certification: mandatory certification by the Saudi Bureau of Standards, which needs to be processed in advance

GCC certification: some auto parts need to comply with the standards of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Halal certification: attention should be paid when it comes to packaging materials

2. Customs clearance risk control

Document preparation:

Commercial invoice (Arabic translation required)

Certificate of origin (Chamber of Commerce certification required)

Bill of lading/airway bill

SASO certificate of conformity

HS code accuracy: the classification of auto parts is complex and needs to be accurately declared

Tariff understanding: Saudi Arabia’s auto parts tariff is generally 5%-12%

3. Transportation process risks

Climate impact: Saudi Arabia is hot and humid, and rust-proof and moisture-proof packaging is required

Cargo insurance: It is recommended to insure all risks (All Risks)

Cargo tracking: It is recommended to use a logistics company with Middle East experience

4. Payment risk

Recommended method: Letter of credit (L/C) or advance payment + payment upon seeing the copy of the bill of lading

Avoid: pure open account (OA) method, especially for transactions with new customers

5. Local market risks

Seasonal demand: Efficiency decreases during Ramadan, so advance planning is required

Local agents: It is recommended to find a strong local Saudi partner

III. Optimization suggestions

Establish local warehouses: For long-term large customers, consider setting up bonded warehouses in Saudi Arabia

Packaging improvements: Use rust-proof materials and add Arabic labels

Logistics partners: Choose international logistics companies with branches in the Middle East

Cultural adaptation: Documents and labels must have Arabic versions

By reasonably selecting transportation methods and systematic risk management, China’s auto parts exports to Saudi Arabia can effectively reduce costs, improve efficiency and avoid potential risks.