I. Middle East Market Logistics Strategy
Core Challenges
Complex customs clearance
Religious and cultural restrictions (such as alcohol and pork products)
Strict product certification (SASO certification, GCC standards)
High tariff barriers (average tariff 5-15%)
Last-mile pain points
Imperfect address system (PO (Box dependency)

Delivery stalls during holidays like Ramadan

High-temperature storage requirements (50°C+ in summer)

Solution
Customs clearance optimization

Chart
Code

Logistics solution selection

Small items: Aramex dedicated line (3-7 days)

Large items: DHL Middle East Express (customs clearance included)

Sensitive goods: Middle East dedicated line, customs clearance and tax included

Localized operations

Register a local company and obtain a TIN number

Bilingual Arabic and English waybills

Pre-store 200+ blank invoices in the Dubai warehouse

II. Latin American Market Breakthrough Strategies
Typical Challenges
Exorbitant logistics costs

Freight from China to Brazil ≈ 30% of the product value

Superimposed Brazilian ICMS tax (17-25%)

Customs clearance gray area

Customs corruption risk (additional “customs clearance fees”)

Electronic products require INMETRO certification

Personal package value limit $50 (Brazil) / $200 (Mexico)

Solutions
Cost Control Matrix

Country Optimal Channel Timeliness Cost Advantage
Brazil Transshipment via Uruguay: 35 days, avoiding 50% tariffs.
Mexico: US-Mexico cross-border warehouse: 5 days, exempt from USMCA tariffs.
Chile: Alibaba South America dedicated line: 12 days, VAT included.
Practical Tips

Mexico: Use RFC tax number for customs clearance.

Argentina: Split packages to under $25.

Colombia: Pre-record IMEI numbers.

III. Common Solutions for Both Regions

1. Addressing Infrastructure Deficiencies

Multimodal Transport Solutions

Middle East: Air freight to Dubai + sea freight to Jeddah.

Latin America: Miami transit + local logistics.

Alternative Port List

Middle East: Jebel Ali Port (UAE) instead of Dammam Port.

Latin America: Callao Port (Peru) instead of San Antonio.

2. Payment-Logistics Integration
   COD Risk Management

Middle East: 30% deposit + cash on delivery.

Latin America: Integration with MercadoPago online payment.

Return Processing

python

Intelligent Return Decision Algorithm

def return_decision(product_value, shipping_cost):
if If product_value < 50: return “Overseas warehouse destruction” elif shipping_cost / product_value > 0.7:
return “Local second-hand disposal”
else:
return “Return for repair”
IV. Data-driven Operational Tools

1. Real-time Monitoring Dashboard
   Key Indicator Alerts

Saudi Arabia: Customs clearance time > 72 hours triggers stocking

Brazil: Logistics cost ratio > 25% triggers review

2. Local Service Provider Resource Library
   Certified Customs Clearance Agents

Middle East: GAC Dubai

Brazil: TTM Customs

Overseas Warehouse Network

Dubai Free Trade Zone Warehouse (3-day delivery to GCC countries)

Santiago, Chile Warehouse (serving the west coast of South America)

V. Seller Action Checklist
Preliminary Preparations

Obtaining HS CODE pre-audit report

Create a return card in Spanish/Arabic

Purchase political risk insurance

Operational execution

Set order value tiers (avoid tariff thresholds)

Update customs policy summaries weekly

Retain three backup logistics providers

Continuous optimization

Analyze the top three bottlenecks in delivery rate monthly

Review logistics cost structure quarterly

Attend GITEX Dubai annually to gain the latest intelligence

By specifically addressing core issues such as religious culture, tariff policies, and infrastructure deficiencies, combined with data-driven logistics management, order fulfillment rates in emerging markets can be increased from the industry average of 65% to over 85%. It’s recommended to test small orders for three months, establish a whitelist of local service providers, and then scale up.