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Middle East ✈️ Air Freight 🚢 Sea Freight 21 KG

Cost to Ship 21KG from China to Saudi Arabia

What this shipment size actually costs, and whether consolidating up to the next bracket would be cheaper.

USD 8.7/KG Best Rate Now
2 Channels Available
2026-08-14 Last Updated

Shipping 21KG from China to Saudi Arabia costs approximately USD 182 all-in, based on a published rate of USD 8.65 per kilogram. That figure covers freight, duty and tax to Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), and delivery to your door, with nothing further to pay on arrival.

Estimated total
USD 182 for 21KG
By air
USD 8.65/kg, 5-10 days
By sea
USD 175.6/kg, 25-45 days
Customs authority
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)

Rates last updated 2026-08-14. Figures are published channel prices for planning; the final quote depends on chargeable weight, cargo class and HS code.

Current Rates — China to Saudi Arabia (21 KG)

🟢 Updated 2026-08-14
Service Mode Rate (USD/KG) Total (21 KG) Details
Best Value Heavy Cargo – Class A Furniture ✈️ Air Freight USD 8.7 USD 182 View Details →
Sea · Freight – Class A Furniture 🚢 Sea Freight USD 175.6 USD 3,688 View Details →
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Full Weight-Tier Rate Cards

Detailed per-weight pricing for every active route from China to Saudi Arabia. Each tier reflects the published rate at that exact weight — useful for accurate budgeting at common shipment sizes.

Heavy Cargo – Class A Furniture

✈️ Air Freight → Riyadh Warehouse
⭐ Best Value at 21 KG
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 33 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
1 KG USD 20.56 USD 431.76
2 KG USD 13.61 USD 285.81
3 KG USD 11.30 USD 237.30
4 KG USD 10.14 USD 212.94
5 KG USD 9.45 USD 198.45
6 KG USD 10.14 USD 212.94
7 KG USD 9.64 USD 202.44
8 KG USD 9.27 USD 194.67
9 KG USD 8.98 USD 188.58
10 KG USD 8.75 USD 183.75
11 KG USD 9.19 USD 192.99
12 KG USD 8.98 USD 188.58
13 KG USD 8.80 USD 184.80
14 KG USD 8.65 USD 181.65
15 KG USD 8.52 USD 178.92
16 KG USD 8.40 USD 176.40
17 KG USD 9.12 USD 191.52
18 KG USD 8.98 USD 188.58
19 KG USD 8.86 USD 186.06
20 KG USD 8.75 USD 183.75
21 KG USD 8.65 USD 181.65
22 KG USD 8.56 USD 179.76
23 KG USD 8.78 USD 184.38
30 KG USD 8.29 USD 174.09
50 KG USD 7.92 USD 166.32
100 KG USD 7.36 USD 154.56
150 KG USD 7.32 USD 153.72
200 KG USD 7.22 USD 151.62
505 KG USD 6.94 USD 145.74
850 KG USD 6.99 USD 146.79
1700 KG USD 7.08 USD 148.68
2500 KG USD 7.06 USD 148.26
3400 KG USD 6.81 USD 143.01
View full route details →

Sea Freight – Class A Furniture

🚢 Sea Freight → Riyadh Warehouse
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 1 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Bracket Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
1CBM+ CBM USD 187.50 USD 3,937.50
View full route details →

✈️ Air Freight Options

Heavy Cargo – Class A Furniture USD 8.7/KG →

🚢 Sea Freight Options

Sea Freight – Class A Furniture USD 174.3/KG →
🔄 Calculate for a different weight:

Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What

The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Saudi Arabia is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.

  • Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
  • Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
  • Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
Responsibility for each shipment stage under each Incoterms rule
Term 1 Loading on truck 2 Export customs declaration 3 Carriage to port of export 4 Unloading at port of export 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft 6 Main carriage 7 Cargo insurance 8 Unloading at port of import 9 Loading on truck at import 10 Carriage to destination 11 Import customs clearance 12 Import duties & taxes
EXW Ex Works Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FCA Free Carrier Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FAS Free Alongside Ship Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FOB Free On Board Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CFR Cost and Freight Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Seller Seller — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CPT Carriage Paid To Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Seller Seller — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAP Delivered At Place Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DDP Delivered Duty Paid Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Seller Seller — Import customs clearance Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes

EXW Ex Works

Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.

FCA Free Carrier

Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.

FAS Free Alongside Ship

Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.

FOB Free On Board

Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.

CFR Cost and Freight

Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.

CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight

As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).

CPT Carriage Paid To

Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.

CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid

As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.

DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)

Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.

DAP Delivered At Place

Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.

DDP Delivered Duty Paid

Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.

Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.

Price Trend — Saudi Arabia

Historical freight rates from China to Saudi Arabia for 21 KG shipments. Data sourced from live carrier price feeds.

China to Saudi Arabia — Shipping Reference Data

Verified shipping reference data for the China → Saudi Arabia lane:

Main sea gateways Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz (Dammam), Jubail
Destination customs authority Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
De-minimis / duty-free threshold SAR 1,000
Import tax & duty regime VAT 15%; duty 5–15% (some goods up to 25%)
Local currency SAR
Typical port/airport dwell time 4–8 days
Peak / busy season Sep–Nov
Conformity & certification SABER / SASO certificate of conformity required
Main air gateways JED (Jeddah), RUH (Riyadh), DMM (Dammam)

Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.

E-Commerce Freight

E-Commerce Small Batch Shipping

The 21 KG range is typical for small e-commerce restock orders and initial trial shipments. Air freight is the standard choice here — it offers the best balance of cost and speed, and most DDP air channels accept shipments from 21 KG upward. This weight falls into the LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) air category.

  • Standard minimum for air freight DDP channels (most require 21 KG+)
  • Common for: phone cases, accessories, clothing, cosmetics
  • Amazon FBA replenishment orders at this weight use air for speed
  • Declare accurate HS codes to avoid customs delays in Saudi Arabia

🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools

Shipping to Saudi Arabia by air or sea? Plan cartons and container loading in 3D before requesting a quote.

📦

3D Carton Packing Calculator

Optimize cartons before tendering cargo to Saudi Arabia: build the packing plan in 3D and download it for your supplier or forwarder.

Open Packing Tool →
🚢

3D Container Loading Planner

Not sure if your Saudi Arabia cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ? Simulate cartons, crates, pallets, and mixed box sizes in the 3D container planner.

Open Container Planner →

Which Shipping Method is Best for 21 KG?

Recommended
✈️

Air Freight

Transit: 5–10 business days
Best at: Under 300 KG, time-sensitive cargo
Recommended
🚢

Sea Freight

Transit: 25–45 calendar days
Best at: Over 100 KG, non-urgent cargo
Not cost-effective
🚂

Rail Freight

Transit: 18–28 calendar days
Best at: Europe destinations over 50 KG
Europe only

Transit Times — China to Saudi Arabia

MethodTransit TimeNotes
Air Freight DDP5–10 business daysFrom China warehouse to Saudi Arabia door
Express Courier3–7 business daysDHL/FedEx/UPS door-to-door, good option

What Affects the Shipping Cost to Saudi Arabia?

  • Actual vs. volumetric weight — carriers charge whichever is higher (L×W×H÷6000 for air)
  • Cargo type surcharge — batteries, liquids, and branded goods carry additional fees
  • Peak season surcharges — Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (Oct) add 15–30%
  • Destination area — Saudi Arabia may have remote area surcharges for certain postal codes
  • Declared value — customs duties are calculated on CIF value

Customs & Documentation for Saudi Arabia

  • De minimis threshold — shipments below local tax threshold may clear duty-free
  • Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate HS codes
  • DDP service includes all import duties — you pay one total price with no surprises
  • Battery and liquid goods require additional certification documents

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship from China to Saudi Arabia?

Current rates for shipping from China to Saudi Arabia start at USD 8.65/KG via Heavy Cargo – Class A Furniture. For 21 KG, the estimated total is approximately USD 182, duty included. Final landed cost depends on the VAT 15%; duty 5–15% (some goods up to 25%) applied by Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).

What duties and taxes apply when importing into Saudi Arabia?

Imports into Saudi Arabia are assessed by Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). The applicable regime is: VAT 15%; duty 5–15% (some goods up to 25%). The duty-free / de-minimis position is SAR 1,000. Under our DDP service these charges are pre-paid and included in the per-KG price, so there is nothing to settle on arrival.

Can I track my shipment from China to Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Air shipments to Saudi Arabia get an air waybill (AWB) trackable within 24 hours of departure; sea shipments are tracked by bill-of-lading through the carrier portal. We push status at key milestones: departure, arrival at the gateway, clearance by Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), and final delivery.

When is the busy season for shipping to Saudi Arabia?

Capacity to Saudi Arabia tightens around Sep–Nov, on top of the China-side surcharge windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Booking 1–2 weeks earlier during these windows protects both space and rate.

What certifications are required to import into Saudi Arabia?

For regulated goods entering Saudi Arabia, plan for: SABER / SASO certificate of conformity required. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common cause of clearance holds with Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), so confirm requirements for your HS code before the cargo leaves China.

In what currency are rates to Saudi Arabia quoted and paid?

Freight to Saudi Arabia is quoted and invoiced in USD; the local currency on the destination side is SAR. Payment is typically due before departure (T/T or PayPal), and because it's DDP you settle the full landed cost once — no destination collect charges.

What is the best way to ship 21 KG from China to Saudi Arabia?

For 21 KG to Saudi Arabia, Air Freight is recommended — it gives the best speed/cost balance (5–10 business days) at this size, clearing via JED (Jeddah), RUH (Riyadh), DMM (Dammam). Sea-freight minimums make ocean uneconomical under ~50 KG.

What documents are required for customs clearance in Saudi Arabia?

Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) typically requires: (1) commercial invoice with HS codes and declared value; (2) packing list with weights and dimensions; (3) bill of lading or air waybill; (4) certificate of origin (may lower duty); and (5) any product-specific certification (SABER / SASO certificate of conformity required). Under DDP we prepare and file these for you.

Shipping to Saudi Arabia by industry

Rates above are lane rates and apply to general cargo. Packing specification, HS classification and the clearance step that matters are all commodity-specific — these guides cover them industry by industry.

All 139 industry guides →

Customs clearance in Saudi Arabia

Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.

Saudi Arabia clearance requirements →

Priced routes to Saudi Arabia