Understand exactly what you will pay to import into Saudi Arabia: customs duty, VAT and total landed cost. Learn the formula, then compare live shipping rates and clear customs on Cargolink.
Compare Shipping Rates → Get OffersFour factors decide what you pay at the Saudi border.
Customs value equals the Cost of goods + Insurance + Freight to the Saudi port. Duty is calculated on this.
Each product has an HS code that sets its duty rate, commonly 5% but higher for some categories.
Saudi VAT of 15% is charged on the CIF value plus the customs duty.
Add customs clearance, SABER and handling to reach your true landed cost.
How to work out your total import cost, step by step.
Add your goods cost, insurance, and freight to the Saudi port. This is the customs value.
Multiply CIF by the duty rate for your product’s HS code (commonly 5%) to get the customs duty.
VAT is 15% of (CIF value + customs duty). Add this to your cost.
Add customs clearance, SABER and handling fees for your total landed cost.
How the numbers come together on a sample shipment.
Say your goods cost 10,000 SAR from the supplier.
Add 500 SAR insurance and 1,500 SAR freight → CIF value = 12,000 SAR.
5% of 12,000 = 600 SAR customs duty.
15% of (12,000 + 600) = 1,890 SAR VAT.
600 + 1,890 = 2,490 SAR in duty and VAT.
Add customs clearance and SABER for your final landed cost.
Compare live shipping rates to Saudi Arabia and add customs clearance to know your total cost upfront.
Start on Cargolink →Common questions about Saudi import duties and VAT.