Shipping company from Riyadh to Egypt — If you are planning to move your home furniture to Cairo or Alexandria, or export goods to the Egyptian market, you are looking at a relatively short route with clear procedures — provided you know them before loading. This guide covers every stage: from estimating the shipment’s volume in cubic metres, through packing, loading and passage via Duba port, to clearance on the Egyptian side and delivery and assembly at the final address, with detailed price tables. The main consolidation hub — collection from your district and packing at the warehouse.
Route: Riyadh → our warehouse → Tabuk → Duba port → ferry → Safaga → Egypt warehouse → distribution
From Riyadh, shipments are consolidated and packed at the warehouse, then loaded onto a large truck heading north-west to Duba port. There the truck boards the ferry with its full load.
The price includes customs: no fees afterwards
The difference between this and other routes is fundamental. On many routes the customer is given a “transport price” and customs duties are added later, so they are surprised by an amount they didn’t expect. Here the agreed figure is the final figure, and you have nothing to do with customs at all — we deal with it.
No extra charges after agreement — the written figure is the final figure.
Digital release: why do some trucks cross faster than others?
The process is on two sides, not one. On the Saudi side, export data is submitted through Fasah platform electronically, and on the Egyptian side import data is submitted through Bayan system customs. Companies that submit the data electronically before the truck moves pass much faster than those who wait for the truck to arrive before starting the procedures. Ask your carrier one direct question: when do you submit the declaration — before loading or at the crossing? The answer reveals their level of professionalism immediately.
Furniture moving from Riyadh to Egypt: what do we move and how?
Before asking about the price, sort. Many customers ship old furniture that costs more to move than to replace in Egypt, and only discover this after arrival. Make it your rule: every piece takes up a cubic metre and has a price, so ask yourself whether it’s worth it. Good sorting before the survey lowers your bill more than any discount you might get.
Used furniture and customs exemption: the real conditions
To benefit from the special treatment for personal effects, the move must be genuine, not nominal: you should have proof of residence or relocation to Egypt, the shipment should arrive within a reasonable period of the move, and quantities should be reasonable for one family’s use. Commercial quantities disguised as personal effects are easily detected and cost their owner more than they saved. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
Car shipping from Riyadh to Egypt
Vehicle transport is a separate track with its own rules, and it starts on the Saudi side, not at the border. The basis is that the car’s ownership is clear and free of any lien or fines that prevent export, and that the export procedures and export plates from the traffic department are completed before reaching the crossing. Whoever neglects this step arrives at the border with the car and then goes back with it.
Shipping commercial goods from Riyadh to Egypt
For factories and stores that export regularly, the difference is not in the price of a single trip but in the regularity of the schedule. A shipment arriving a week late can cost you a whole customer, while one arriving on time builds trust that turns into a long contract. So we give corporate customers a published loading schedule and stick to it.
| Criterion | Full truckload (FTL) | Part load (LTL/LCL) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | SAR 7,000 – 9,500 per trip | SAR 800 – 1,400 per pallet |
| Duration | Faster — departs as soon as ready | Longer — waits for consolidation |
| Handling | Loaded and unloaded only once | Repeated handling at consolidation points |
| Best for | Large cargo or a whole home | Samples, parcels and small shipments |
Estimated cost for each type of shipment
Pricing here is not based on the cubic metre as on Gulf destinations, but on a unit of measurement that differs by item. Clothes and general items by the kilo, air conditioners by the unit, fridges by the cubic foot, washing machines by their capacity and screens by the inch. This system is more accurate and fairer than a flat price because it charges you for what you actually ship.
| Item | Unit of measurement | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and general items | Per kilo | About 15 – 25 per kg |
| Medium box | Per piece | SAR 150 |
| Large box | Per piece | SAR 200 |
| Jumbo box | Per piece | SAR 250 |
| Barrel | Per piece | SAR 230 – 300 |
The minimum invoice is SAR 200 however small the shipment — because operating costs are fixed.
| Appliance | Unit of measurement | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Split air conditioner | In units | SAR 350 – 650 depending on units |
| Fridge | In feet | SAR 180 – 300 depending on size |
| Washing machine | Operating capacity | SAR 150 – 280 (7 kg vs 12 kg) |
| Gas cooker | Per piece | SAR 300 – 350 |
| 32-inch screen | In inches | SAR 450 – 550 |
| 43-inch screen | In inches | SAR 750 – 900 |
| 55-inch screen | In inches | SAR 1,000 – 1,250 |
All prices include customs, fees and delivery to the door — the final price is set after the survey.
From Safaga to your governorate
Delivery to the door and not to an office or a collection point you have to go to. This is a big practical difference for anyone shipping heavy appliances such as a fridge or washing machine — they reach your home, not a street where you look for a porter to carry them. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
Moving foodstuffs and medicines with an unbroken cold chain
Foodstuffs and medicines are subject to extra health requirements at the border and need clearance from the competent authorities before shipping, not after. The health certificate and certificate of origin are essential documents here, and without them the shipment stops at the crossing however good the refrigeration.
Shipping parcels, boxes and personal items
Before sending a box, write its contents in detail on the packing list, not only on the box. Boxes described as “personal items” are the first to be opened at inspection, and opening means delay, repacking and possible damage. The two minutes of writing save hours at the crossing.
Truck types and which suits your shipment size
Supporting equipment matters as much as the truck itself: hoists and lifts for upper floors without a lift, securing straps that stop pieces moving on the road, and blankets and boards that separate the pieces inside the truck. The absence of these details is what explains a shipment arriving scratched even though the road was clear.
| Vehicle type | Approximate load | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosed trailer | Large load | Whole villa · very large commercial cargo |
| Medium truck (Dyna) | Medium load | Whole flat · office furniture |
| Delivery van | Small load | Parcels · samples · last-mile delivery |
| Car carrier | Several vehicles | Shared car shipping |
| Refrigerated truck | By volume | Food · medicines · temperature-sensitive goods |
Service for factories and industrial areas
Raw materials and factory products need accurate documents: a matching commercial invoice, a certificate of origin and sometimes conformity certificates depending on the item. Any conflict between the description of goods on the invoice and in the customs declaration calls for a review that takes days. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
How long does your shipment really take? The full schedule
When you ask a company about the duration and it answers with one figure, it is either simplifying or doesn’t know. The duration is the sum of five stages, each with its own factors. The road itself is the shortest and most stable; the stages that fluctuate are packing, release and inland distribution. So we give you a range for each stage, not a vague overall figure.
| Stage | What affects it | Estimated duration |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and scheduling | Team availability and shipment size | One to two days |
| Dismantling and packing | Number of pieces and level of protection required | One to two days |
| Waiting for consolidation | In consolidated shipping only | One to three days |
| Road and crossing | Crossing conditions and loading time | From 18 to 30 hours |
| Customs release | A complete file and data submitted in advance | From hours to two days |
| Distribution and delivery | Emirate and type of location | Usually one day |
The usual total for land shipping: 8 – 14 days — and where you land within this range depends on the readiness of the paperwork more than anything else.
Warning signs when choosing a carrier
The market is crowded with offers that look alike but differ in substance, and the difference shows not in the advert but in the first call. The six questions below reveal in five minutes whether you are talking to a carrier that really works this route or to a middleman who will sell your shipment to a third party you don’t know and who doesn’t know you.
One lesson from each mistake
Most post-delivery complaints could have been prevented with five minutes before signing. Inspect the main pieces, record any remark in writing on the delivery document, and photograph what you see. Signing without reservation practically forfeits your right to claim, however strong your argument afterwards.
Tracking and communication during the trip
Before signing, ask any company to describe how it will communicate with you during the trip. The vague answer “we’ll keep you posted” in practice means you will be the one calling and asking. A specific answer naming the notification points is a sign of a real working system, not improvisation. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
Before you book — the key points of this guide
Shipping to Egypt works on a model different from all our destinations: a ferry that carries the truck with its load from Duba to Safaga, an all-inclusive price including customs, pricing by a unit of measurement that differs for each item, and delivery to the door in every governorate.
The actual route from our warehouse to your door in Egypt
The third option is Containers from Jeddah Islamic Port to the ports of Egypt, and it is best for commercial goods in large quantities, not for furniture and appliances. The fundamental difference is that the container is unloaded and repacked, while the ferry carries the truck as it is.
| Route | How does it work? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Duba → Safaga | The truck boards the ferry with its full load | Furniture, appliances and parcels |
| Aqaba → Nuweiba | By land via Jordan, then a ferry on the same principle | An alternative route is available |
| Containers from Jeddah | Unloaded and packed into a container by sea | Commercial goods in quantity |
The Duba–Safaga line is the main artery: no transit country and no unloading at the port.
The paper list: review it before loading day
Make it your rule that the file is closed a full day before loading, not on the morning of loading. The reason is that completing a missing document at home is many times easier than completing it with the truck on the road. Also check that details match across the papers: the same name, the same ID number and the same description of contents on both the invoice and the packing list.
Prohibited and restricted items: what must not go in the shipment
Set aside half an hour before closing for a final round of the boxes. Look specifically for four things: anything flammable, anything under pressure, any medicine, and any chemical or agricultural substance. These four cover more than ninety per cent of the hold-ups we see. Leave out anything you are unsure about — its value is less than the cost of a stalled shipment. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
- All kinds of home and office furniture
- Clothes, furnishings and carpets
- Household electrical appliances
- Books and personal documents
- Kitchenware and household items
- Gas cylinders of all sizes
- Flammable materials and perfumes in large quantities
- Pesticides and chemicals
- Medicines without a prescription or permit
- Loose lithium batteries
- Counterfeit goods and trademark infringements
International packing standards and what really protects your furniture
Packing is not wrapping the piece in plastic. Each type of item has a different method, and using the wrong one can be worse than not packing at all — such as sticking tape directly onto painted wood, which strips the paint when opened. The trip to Egypt is relatively long and passes through changes in temperature and humidity, especially near the coast, which calls for packing materials that withstand these conditions, not just ordinary cardboard.
| Item type | Correct packing | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Painted wood | Blanket + bubble wrap + stretch film | Sticking tape directly on paint |
| Glass and mirrors | Wooden crate lined with foam | Relying on cardboard alone |
| Screens | Lined crate + transport upright | Placing it flat under heavy loads |
| White goods | Securing the doors and draining the water a day before | Shipping right after disconnecting |
| Books and documents | Small double-wall boxes | A large box that tears from the weight |
The full operational route in detail
The stage everyone asks about is customs clearance, and we handle it entirely at Safaga on your behalf. You don’t deal with customs, brokers or extra fees — the shipment comes out cleared and goes straight to the distribution warehouse.
How much does moving your car cost? Details and prices
The differences in the table below are not arbitrary: a shared carrier is cheaper because it spreads the trip’s cost over several vehicles, but it waits for the load to be complete. A dedicated flatbed is more expensive because it moves for your car alone, but it is faster with less handling. Choose by your priority: saving or time.
| Car type | Transport | Estimated cost | Expected duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / family car | Shared car carrier | SAR 1,300 – 1,900 | 8 – 14 days |
| 4×4 (SUV) | Shared carrier or flatbed | SAR 1,600 – 2,400 | 8 – 14 days |
| Luxury / sports | Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | SAR 2,500 – 4,000 | 50 – 70 hours |
| Classic | Private enclosed carrier | Depending on assessment | On request |
Prices are estimates and change with the season and carrier availability — ask for a detailed quote.
Types of goods we transport to Egypt
We handle dry, commercial and industrial goods, and each category has a different document file. The common mistake is shipping several items on one declaration without detail, which turns the check from a sample into a full inspection. Each item is listed separately with its description, quantity and value — this alone saves hours at the crossing. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
Cheapest shipping to Egypt: where do you really save and where do you lose?
Unreasonably low quotes deserve a question, not joy. Ask: what does this price not include? You will often find that customs clearance, packing or assembly are outside the agreement, or that the company is a middleman who will sell your shipment to another carrier you don’t know and who doesn’t know you. An honest price comes itemised; a misleading price comes as one figure.
- Sort and get rid of what you won’t use — every cubic metre has a price
- Consolidated shipping saves up to 40% in exchange for a slightly longer wait
- Booking early outside peak seasons
- Pack clothes and books yourself and leave the furniture to the technicians
- Prepare complete documents to avoid days of waiting
- Unwrapping sensitive items
- Undervaluing goods on the invoice
- Contracting without a written contract or bill of lading
- Hiding restricted items inside the shipment
- Accepting a quote far below the market with no explanation
Departure points we serve in the Riyadh region
Whether you are in a residential district inside Riyadh, a warehouse in Al-Kharj or a factory in the Second Industrial City of Madinah, the departure point affects both price and scheduling. Give us the exact location when requesting a quote, not just “Madinah”, because the difference between north and south Riyadh can mean an extra hour on loading day.
Sensitive furniture, glass and screens
The common mistake with screens is shipping them lying flat under other loads, which breaks the panel from inside with no mark on the box — so the customer discovers the damage after installation and it is hard to prove where it came from. A screen is always moved upright, secured and in a lined crate.
| Item | Protection method | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Large screens | Lined crate + upright transport + securing | Lying flat under heavy loads |
| Mirrors and glass | Reinforced corners + high-density foam | Relying on bubble wrap alone |
| Crystal chandeliers | Parts dismantled + separate packing + special crate | Transport consolidated as one piece |
| Antiques and collectibles | Lined and secured inside a wooden crate | Mixing with heavy furniture |
| Musical instruments | Separate box + vibration protection | Transport without securing |
Return trips and their preferential rates
Many of our customers in this direction are traders importing goods from the Egyptian free zones to their warehouses in Riyadh and Dammam. These shipments need extra attention to Saudi Arabia VAT and customs duties on entry — items calculated on the value declared on the invoice. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
Office fittings and technical equipment
Technical equipment is the riskiest part of an office move: servers, devices and screens need anti-static packing and lined crates, and it is best to move drives and sensitive data separately. Most office furniture can be dismantled, and dismantling it properly reduces the volume considerably, lowering the cost.
What happens after the shipment reaches Egypt?
We always ask for an exact map location and a working number for the receiver. The reason is purely practical: a written address in Egypt may bring the truck to the area but not to the door, and every minute of waiting at the delivery site is charged to one of the parties. The exact location saves everyone time.
Why do we prefer the ferry for furniture and appliances?
The practical rule: furniture, appliances or boxes → the ferry. Commercial goods in quantity → containers. Documents or a small urgent parcel → air. If anyone offers you something else, ask them why.
| Criterion | Ferry 🚢 | Containers 📦 | Air ✈️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling | Only two handlings | Multiple at ports | Medium |
| Duration | 8 – 14 days | Longer | 25 – 50 hours |
| Best for | Furniture · appliances · boxes | Commercial goods in quantity | Documents and small parcels |
| Including customs | Yes | As agreed | As agreed |
Insurance and compensation: how do you really protect your shipment?
Insuring the shipment is not a luxury for high-value shipments. Its cost is relatively small compared with the value of what you ship, and its benefit only shows on the day you need it. Always ask about the scope of cover: does it include breakage? Scratches? Loss? And does it cover unloading and assembly, or end at the front door? That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
Storage solutions before shipping or after arrival
What matters in storage is not the price but the warehouse conditions: is it covered and secured? Are the items raised off the floor? Do they stay packed? Furniture stored unpacked in a damp warehouse can be damaged more than on the road. Ask about these details before asking about the daily rate.
The best time to ship and why timing matters
The practical rule: book at least two weeks ahead, and three if your move falls in a peak season. This gives you time for the survey, comparison and preparing the paperwork, and lets you choose your date instead of having it imposed on you. Those who book early usually get a better price because they buy in an unpressured market.
Air freight: speed versus cost
Air freight is available to all our destinations without exception; the question is not whether it is available but when it is worth its cost. The simple rule: air is priced by weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, so it makes sense for small high-value shipments and makes no sense at all for furniture and heavy appliances.
| Item | Best suited for | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Documents and contracts | Air ✈️ | High value, small volume and costly delays |
| Commercial samples | Air ✈️ | Comes before the big shipment and decisions are based on it |
| Urgent spare parts | Air ✈️ | A stopped production line costs many times the shipping difference |
| Small high-value devices | Air ✈️ | Low weight and high value |
| Furniture and home appliances | Land or sea | Weight and volume make air illogical |
| Bulk cargo | Land or sea | The cost difference is very large |
Questions our customers in Riyadh ask most often
❓ Can I ship a single box from Riyadh?
❓ What usually delays shipments?
❓ Is customs clearance included in the price?
❓ What if an item arrives damaged?
❓ How long does shipping take from Riyadh to the UAE?
❓ How much does it cost to ship a bedroom from Riyadh?
❓ Are there customs duties on used furniture?
❓ What is the difference between customs duties and VAT?
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Each city has its own crossing, distance and prices — routes to Egypt differ fundamentally by departure point.