Sea Freight from China to Aqaba
China → Aqaba · via AMM air / Aqaba sea · clearance by Jordan Customs Department
For buyers shipping into Aqaba, the practical question is not the ocean or flight time but what happens after arrival. Aqaba is the only seaport and a special economic zone; cargo enters through AMM air / Aqaba sea, and the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
The clearing authority is Jordan Customs Department. Historical dwell on this gateway is around 3–8 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
What you will pay on arrival in Jordan
Jordan Customs Department assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Aqaba consignees. Current regime: General sales tax 16%; customs duty 0–30%, with a de-minimis position of JOD 200 for personal consignments.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labeling for consumer products. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Jordan: Aqaba Special Economic Zone rules differ from the rest of the country. Transit cargo to neighboring markets needs bonded documentation. Arabic labeling required for retail goods.
Routing and transit on this lane
Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport and also the transit gateway for cargo continuing to Iraq and, historically, the wider Levant. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone offers reduced duty for goods consumed inside it, which is worth checking before assuming standard rates apply.
| Sea gateways used | Aqaba |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 20–28 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Aqaba | AMM air / Aqaba sea |
| Inland leg to Aqaba | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Put the Aqaba delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Budget for the inland leg: same-day delivery beyond gateway clearance to reach Aqaba.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Jordan duty rate against it yourself.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Aqaba take?
China to the Jordan gateway is 20–28 calendar days. On top of that, allow 3–8 days of clearance with Jordan Customs Department and a same-day inland leg to Aqaba.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Aqaba?
Jordan Customs Department applies: General sales tax 16%; customs duty 0–30%. The de-minimis position is JOD 200 for personal consignments. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Aqaba.
What certification do I need for Jordan?
For regulated goods, plan for: JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labeling for consumer products. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Aqaba?
Yes. Battery cargo by sea moves under UN3480/UN3481 with an MSDS, and the dangerous-goods documentation is prepared as part of the booking into Aqaba. Surcharges apply and space is more limited than for general cargo.
Which port or airport does cargo for Aqaba clear through?
Cargo for Aqaba is routed via AMM air / Aqaba sea. Sea gateways for Jordan are Aqaba; air gateways are AMM (Amman Queen Alia). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Aqaba?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 20–28 calendar days by sea versus 3–6 business days by air to the Jordan gateway, before clearance and the same-day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
Other delivery cities in Jordan
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Jordan change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Jordan Customs Department or your broker before you ship.
- Jordan Customs
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
Page data last reviewed: 10 月 2026.
Shipping by industry
This page covers the route and clearance picture for the destination. Packing, classification and the compliance step that actually holds a shipment depend on what you are sending — these guides cover that by commodity.
- Plumbing Products Building Materials & Construction Products
- Engineering Plastics Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Home Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Garden Products Furniture & Home Products
- Illuminated Signs Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Metal Products Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Storage Tanks Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Transformers New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Sanitary Ware Building Materials & Construction Products
- Cartons Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Flexible Packaging Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Home Decor Furniture & Home Products
Checking the Jordan duty position yourself
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by Jordan Customs Department against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
For a wider view of how importing into Jordan actually works — documentation norms, inspection behavior, the paperwork that tends to hold shipments — the U.S. ITA guide to Jordan customs regulations is a useful independent read alongside our own lane notes.
Watch: the process behind this route
This guide covers routing and clearance for Aqaba. The video below covers the wider shipping process that sits around it.
The Customs Clearance Process: A Comprehensive Guide — ShipERP by ERP Integrated Solutions. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.
Customs clearance in Jordan
Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.
Jordan clearance requirements →