Sea Freight from China to the GCC

Comprehensive ocean freight solutions with complete customs clearance โ€” Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) to all major ports in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

FCL | Full Container LCL | Consolidated DDP All-Inclusive

Choose the Right Sea Freight Type

We offer both main sea freight options. Our team helps you select the best fit based on your shipment volume and budget.

Most Popular for Large Shipments

FCL โ€” Full Container Load

A dedicated container for your cargo only. The best choice for large shipments exceeding 15 CBM, where you pay a flat rate per container regardless of weight (within limits).

Available Container Sizes:

20GP 28 mยณ | 6m Length ~10 Pallets
40GP 58 mยณ | 12m Length ~22 Pallets
40HQ 68 mยณ | 12m Length Extra Height
  • Faster: No waiting for consolidation of other shipments
  • Safer: Your cargo is alone in the container โ€” less risk of damage
  • Flat Rate: Pay for the entire container regardless of weight
  • Flexible: Container can be loaded directly at your supplier's location
Get FCL Quote
Cost-Effective for Small Shipments

LCL โ€” Less than Container Load

Share container space with other shipments and pay only for the volume your cargo occupies. Ideal for small to medium shipments from 1 to 15 CBM.

When to Choose LCL?

1-5 mยณ Small Shipments Lowest Cost
5-10 mยณ Medium Shipments Most Common
10-15 mยณ Before Switching to FCL Compare Prices
  • Lower Cost: Pay only for the space you occupy
  • Regular Schedules: Weekly sailings to all GCC ports
  • Smart Consolidation: We combine your cargo from multiple suppliers into one container
  • Flexible: No high minimum โ€” start from 1 CBM
Get LCL Quote

Sea Freight Routes by Country

We cover all major ports across the six GCC countries. Select your destination for more details.

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Saudi Arabia

Jeddah Islamic Port Main Red Sea port โ€” serves the western region
King Abdullah Port Modern Red Sea port โ€” high capacity
Dammam Port Main Arabian Gulf port โ€” serves the eastern region
Transit Time: 16-22 Days
SASO/SABER Support DDP Available
Inquire About Saudi Shipping
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UAE

Jebel Ali Port Largest port in the Middle East โ€” re-export hub
Abu Dhabi Port Khalifa Port โ€” serves Abu Dhabi & Al Ain
Sharjah Port Hamriyah Port โ€” additional option for northern Emirates
Transit Time: 15-18 Days
Jebel Ali Warehouse Re-export ESMA
Inquire About UAE Shipping
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Qatar

Hamad Port Qatar's main port โ€” modern and high capacity
Al Ruwais Port Northern Qatar port โ€” for northern region cargo
Transit Time: 17-21 Days
Fast Clearance DDP Available
Inquire About Qatar Shipping
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Kuwait

Shuaiba Port Main commercial port โ€” south of Kuwait City
Shuwaikh Port Port near the capital โ€” ideal for commercial cargo
Transit Time: 18-22 Days
Full Documentation DDP Available
Inquire About Kuwait Shipping
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Oman

Sohar Port Modern port in northern Oman โ€” industrial & logistics hub
Salalah Port Southern Oman port โ€” major transshipment hub
Transit Time: 16-22 Days
Fast Clearance DDP Available
Inquire About Oman Shipping
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Bahrain

Khalifa Bin Salman Port Bahrain's main port โ€” serves the entire kingdom
Sitra Port Industrial port โ€” for heavy & project cargo
Transit Time: 16-20 Days
Fast Clearance DDP Available
Inquire About Bahrain Shipping

China-to-GCC Sea Freight Transit Times

Estimated transit times from major Chinese ports (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai) to GCC ports.

Country Destination Port FCL (Days) LCL (Days) Sailing Frequency
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabia Jeddah 16-20 18-22 Weekly
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabia Dammam 18-22 20-25 Weekly
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช UAE Jebel Ali 15-18 17-20 Weekly
๐Ÿ‡ถ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Qatar Hamad 17-21 19-23 Every 10 Days
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ผ Kuwait Shuaiba / Shuwaikh 18-22 20-25 Weekly
๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ Oman Sohar / Salalah 16-22 18-24 Every 10 Days
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ญ Bahrain Khalifa Bin Salman 16-20 18-22 Bi-Weekly

* Transit times are estimates and may vary due to seasonality, weather conditions, and port congestion. Prices are subject to freight market fluctuations.

Additional Sea Freight Services

A comprehensive range of logistics services to ensure your ocean freight arrives safely and efficiently.

DDP Customs Clearance

We handle all customs clearance procedures and pay all duties and taxes on your behalf. Your cargo arrives at your warehouse door with no surprises or additional fees.

Consolidation Services

We gather your goods from multiple suppliers at our warehouses in China, inspect them, and merge them into a single ocean shipment to reduce overall costs.

Marine Cargo Insurance

Comprehensive cargo insurance during ocean transit covering loss, damage, and theft. Rest assured your goods are protected throughout the journey.

Door-to-Door Delivery

We collect your cargo from your supplier in China and deliver it to your warehouse or final location in any GCC city. Includes inland transportation in the destination country.

Special & Project Cargo

Shipping heavy machinery, oversized cargo (OOG), hazardous materials, and industrial equipment. We provide Open Top and Flat Rack containers.

Warehousing & Distribution

Our warehouses in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone provide secure storage and regional distribution options to all GCC countries. Ideal for e-commerce sellers and distributors.

Why Choose Our Sea Freight Services?

Direct Contracts with Shipping Lines

We contract directly with major shipping lines (Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO) ensuring competitive rates and guaranteed space even during peak seasons.

Comprehensive GCC Coverage

We serve all major and secondary GCC ports. We understand the specifics of each market and its regulatory requirements โ€” we're not just freight brokers, we're strategic partners.

Real-Time Tracking & Regular Updates

Advanced tracking system lets you know your shipment's location at any time. We send regular WhatsApp updates at each key stage of the shipping journey.

Complete Documentation & Transparency

We provide all shipping documents: Bill of Lading (B/L), Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificates of Conformity. Everything organized and transparent.

Ready to Ship by Sea?

Send us your shipment details and we'll respond within 24 hours with a competitive quote and detailed shipping plan.

  • Free, no-obligation quote
  • Consultation on best sea freight solution
  • FCL vs LCL comparison for your cargo
  • Direct contact with sea freight expert

How Sea Freight Works

A streamlined 5-step process to ensure your ocean shipment arrives smoothly and safely.

1

Inquiry & Quotation

Contact us via WhatsApp or the inquiry form. Provide your shipment details: origin country, destination port, cargo type, approximate weight and volume, and number of containers needed. Our team reviews your requirements and responds within 24 hours with a competitive quote including all costs (freight + customs clearance + inland transport).

2

Cargo Preparation & Collection

After you approve the quote, we coordinate with your supplier in China for cargo collection. We provide inland transportation from the factory/warehouse to the departure port. We verify document readiness (invoice, packing list, etc.) and ensure cargo compliance.

3

Ocean Freight & Tracking

We ship your container on the next available vessel heading to your destination port. We provide you with the container number, vessel name, and Bill of Lading (B/L) number upon sailing. You can track your shipment directly on the shipping line's website or contact us anytime for a location update.

4

Customs Clearance at Destination

Once the vessel arrives, our customs clearance team initiates cargo release procedures. We pay all applicable duties and taxes on your behalf (under DDP service). For Saudi Arabia, we coordinate SASO/SABER certification if required. For UAE, we handle ESMA requirements.

5

Final Delivery to Your Door

After customs release, we transport the cargo by road to your designated address โ€” whether it's your warehouse in Riyadh, Dubai, Doha, or any GCC city. We provide confirmation upon delivery completion with final shipping documents. Our service doesn't end at delivery โ€” we remain available for any follow-up inquiries.

Get a Sea Freight Quote Now

Fill out the form below and we'll respond within 24 hours with a detailed sea freight quote.

Sea Freight FAQ

How long does sea freight take from China to Saudi Arabia?
Sea freight from major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) to Jeddah port takes approximately 16-20 days, and to Dammam port about 18-22 days. The actual duration depends on the shipping line and sailing schedule. We recommend planning ahead and adding 3-5 buffer days for customs clearance.
What's the difference between FCL and LCL, and when should I choose each?
FCL (Full Container Load): You rent an entire container for your cargo alone. Suitable for large shipments (15+ CBM). Faster, safer, and you pay a flat rate.
LCL (Less than Container Load): You share container space with other shipments. Economical for small shipments (1-15 CBM). Takes longer due to consolidation and deconsolidation. As a rule of thumb: if your shipment exceeds 15 CBM, compare FCL vs LCL โ€” FCL is often the better choice.
Do your prices include customs clearance and duties?
We offer two options: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) where we take full responsibility for shipping, clearance, and duties to your warehouse door, and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) where we deliver to the port and you handle clearance. Most of our GCC clients prefer DDP for transparency and to avoid surprises. When requesting a quote, we will clarify the total cost including all fees.
How is sea freight cost calculated?
Sea freight cost consists of several components: Base Ocean Freight + Port Charges + Documentation Fees + Customs Clearance Fees + Duties & Taxes + Inland Transportation. For FCL, the rate is fixed per container. For LCL, the rate is based on volumetric weight (CBM) or actual weight, whichever is greater. Prices fluctuate seasonally โ€” peak season (before Ramadan and Eid) typically sees higher rates.
What about SASO/SABER certification for Saudi-bound shipments?
SASO/SABER certification is mandatory for most products imported into Saudi Arabia. We assist you in the registration and certification process before shipping your goods to avoid any delays at Saudi customs. Our dedicated team deals with the SABER electronic platform daily and knows all its requirements. This service is included in our DDP package.
What documents are required for sea freight to the GCC?
Essential documents required: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin. Additionally, depending on the country and cargo type, you may need: SASO/SABER Certificate (Saudi Arabia), ESMA Certificate (UAE), Gulf Conformity Mark (G-Mark). Our team guides you through all required documentation before shipping.

Ready to Start Your Sea Shipment?

Our sea freight specialists are ready to help. Send your shipment details and get a quote within 24 hours.