Shipping company from Saudi Arabia 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 page — explains the ferry line and the pricing system and links you to your city’s guide.
Route: Saudi cities → Duba port → ferry → Safaga → Egypt warehouse → delivery to every governorate
The Duba–Safaga line is the main artery between the Kingdom and Egypt: the truck boards the ferry with its full load, so it isn’t unloaded at the port. There is an alternative route via Jordan and Aqaba to Nuweiba that works on the same principle.
The route map from the Kingdom to the Egyptian governorates
What it means for you in practice: when you hear “sea shipping to Egypt”, ask — by ferry or by container? The first is better for furniture and appliances because it involves less handling, and the second is cheaper for packed commercial goods. A company that distinguishes between them really knows the route.
| 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.
Documents required before loading — a complete list
The document list differs by the nature of the shipment: personal effects and household furniture, commercial goods or a vehicle. But there is a common basis without which no shipment passes, whatever its type, and any gap in it means a stop at the crossing. The golden rule is to prepare the full file before loading day, not after, because completing a paper while the truck stands at the border costs you a whole day at best.
Prohibited and restricted items: what must not go in the shipment
Customs distinguish between two types: Prohibited which does not enter under any circumstances, andRestricted which enters only with prior permission or a permit from a competent authority. The practical problem is that what most often stalls furniture shipments is not the obvious prohibited items but everyday things nobody thinks of: a small gas cylinder inside the dismantled kitchen, leftover insecticide under the sink, or the family’s medicines in the clothes box.
- 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
Packing materials: what to ask for and why
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. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
| 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 |
How do we carry out your shipment to Egypt step by step?
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.
Vehicle shipping cost table by type
The cost here depends on three factors: the car’s type and size, the transport method chosen and the shipping season. The prices below are estimates reflecting the prevailing range, and your final figure is set by a detailed quote once the car’s model, condition and delivery point within Egypt are known.
| Car type | Transport | Estimated cost | Expected duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / family car | Shared car carrier | SAR 1,350 – 1,950 | 7 – 15 days |
| 4×4 (SUV) | Shared carrier or flatbed | SAR 1,650 – 2,450 | 7 – 15 days |
| Luxury / sports | Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | SAR 2,600 – 4,100 | 50 – 75 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.
Smart saving: where can you cut costs without losing out?
The three biggest sources of saving, in order: sorting before the survey, flexibility on the loading date, and accepting consolidated shipping. None of them touch service quality at all because they change what you ship and when, not how it is shipped. Reducing packing or hiding information from customs is not saving but deferring the cost with interest. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
- 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
Where do we collect from within Saudi Arabia and the surrounding areas?
The three industrial cities in Saudi Arabia account for a large share of commercial shipments on this route and have special considerations: truck entry times, gate permits and loading points inside the factory. Our team is used to these procedures, which saves hours compared with a carrier entering the area for the first time.
Items that allow no mistakes: how do we handle them?
Crystal chandeliers, antiques and musical instruments need partial dismantling and individual packing of each piece, then securing inside a special crate that prevents all movement. These operations take time on loading day, so allow for them in your schedule and don’t be surprised if the team spends an hour on one piece — that hour is what makes it arrive intact.
| 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
Shipping from Egypt to Saudi Arabia follows the same procedures in reverse order: an export declaration on the Egyptian side, then import on the Saudi side. Citizens and residents returning permanently to the Kingdom get special treatment for their personal effects, which needs proof of the move and supporting documents.
Office fittings and technical equipment
For companies with regular shipments we offer monthly or annual contractual arrangements at better prices than individual pricing. The benefit is not only price but priority: a contract customer gets guaranteed scheduling in peak seasons, when others struggle to find a truck. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
Final delivery and assembly within Egypt
The shipment reaching Egypt is not the end of the trip but, from the customer’s point of view, its beginning. The last stage is the one they see and judge: did the team arrive on time? Were the pieces carried carefully into the home? Was the bedroom assembled correctly? This is where the whole impression is built or destroyed.
Comparison of the three shipping options
Air freight remains for documents, small urgent parcels and high-value goods. Its cost is far higher, priced per kilo at rates well above sea freight, so it is not suitable for appliances or furniture.
| Criterion | Ferry 🚢 | Containers 📦 | Air ✈️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling | Only two handlings | Multiple at ports | Medium |
| Duration | 7 – 15 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 |
What do we commit to in writing?
A real guarantee is not a phrase in an advert but a clause in a contract. The difference is that the first is said and the second is carried out. So we put our commitments in writing: what we guarantee, what we don’t, how compensation is calculated if damage occurs, and within how many days. Clear limits protect both parties and prevent disputes before they start.
What if the new home isn’t ready yet?
Storage is at one of the two ends: in Saudi Arabia before shipping or in Egypt after arrival. The second is more common because the shipment has already cleared customs and is ready for delivery whenever you want. The cost is usually calculated by the space occupied and the storage period. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
The best time to ship and why timing matters
Shipping traffic on this route is not constant throughout the year. Summer and the start of the school year are the peak for family moves, so demand for trucks rises, scheduling tightens and prices tend to rise. Quiet periods give you wider options, more flexibility on the date and a better price.
Air freight to Egypt: when is it worth the 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 |
The all-inclusive pricing system and what it means for you in practice
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.
How are your shipment’s procedures completed on both sides of the border?
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. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
Household furniture moving to Cairo, Alexandria and Giza
Good execution in furniture moving is measured by three things, not one: were the dismantled pieces numbered so they are easy to reassemble? Were they secured inside the truck so they don’t move? Was their condition documented before packing? A company that does all three usually delivers intact, while one that settles for quick loading is betting on luck.
Personal effects: how are they treated at customs?
The mistake that most often costs customers this special treatment is mixing new purchases in factory packaging with used furniture in one shipment. Ten sealed new boxes among used furniture raise a customs question that shouldn’t arise, and may expose the whole shipment to revaluation. If you have new purchases, separate them on their own packing list and attach their invoices from the start.
Vehicle transport: options and legal requirements
What most often stalls car shipments is not the transport but the procedures before it. Before loading, make sure of three things: the car is free of fines and liens, the export procedures and plates are done, and the receiver’s details in Egypt match the papers. Complete these three and the trip itself will be the easiest part of the process.
Moving goods and equipment to the Egyptian market
Commercial shipping differs from furniture shipping in one essential point: documents matter more than packing. The commercial invoice must match the goods in description and value, the certificate of origin determines the customs treatment applied, and the importer’s commercial registration in Egypt must be compatible with the type of goods arriving in its name. Any conflict between these three stops the shipment until it is resolved. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
| Criterion | Full truckload (FTL) | Part load (LTL/LCL) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | SAR 7,200 – 9,800 per trip | SAR 825 – 1,450 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
A real saving tip: combine small scattered items into one box instead of shipping them separately, because the minimum is charged per invoice, not per item. Three small invoices cost you SAR 600, while one invoice combining them may cost you 250.
| Item | Unit of measurement | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and general items | Per kilo | About 15 – 25 per kg |
| Medium box | Per piece | SAR 155 |
| Large box | Per piece | SAR 205 |
| Jumbo box | Per piece | SAR 260 |
| Barrel | Per piece | SAR 235 – 310 |
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 360 – 670 depending on units |
| Fridge | In feet | SAR 185 – 310 depending on size |
| Washing machine | Operating capacity | SAR 155 – 290 (7 kg vs 12 kg) |
| Gas cooker | Per piece | SAR 310 – 360 |
| 32-inch screen | In inches | SAR 465 – 565 |
| 43-inch screen | In inches | SAR 770 – 925 |
| 55-inch screen | In inches | SAR 1,030 – 1,290 |
All prices include customs, fees and delivery to the door — the final price is set after the survey.
Delivery to every governorate of Egypt, right to the door
Cairo, Giza and Alexandria receive the largest share, followed by the Delta governorates such as Monufia, Gharbia, Dakahlia and Sharqia. Upper Egypt — Asyut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor and Aswan — is served on regular rounds that may need one or two extra days after the shipment reaches the warehouse.
Refrigerated shipping: when you need it and its conditions
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.
Small-shipment service: a single box is enough
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. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
Truck types and which suits your shipment size
For narrow neighbourhoods and towers with limited access we use smaller vehicles that move the shipment to a consolidation point before loading it onto the large truck. This extra step looks like a complication, but it prevents a bigger problem: a large truck stopping in a street too narrow for it and being unloaded in a rush under traffic pressure.
| 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 |
Solutions for factories and warehouses in Saudi Arabia
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.
Why does the duration differ from one shipment to another?
The difference between dedicated and consolidated shipping shows in the duration more than anything else. A dedicated shipment leaves as soon as it is ready, while a consolidated one waits until the truck’s load is complete — and this wait can be one to three days depending on demand that week. Ask about the expected departure date, not only the trip duration.
| 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: 7 – 15 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
Four signs that call for a pause: a price far below the market with no explanation, refusal to give a written contract, inability to name the crossing or describe the transit stages, and no specific person to contact. One of them calls for more questions; two together call for looking for an alternative. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
Five common mistakes and how to avoid them
After years on this route the same mistakes recur in an almost fixed order, and most have nothing to do with the company chosen but with decisions the customer makes before loading. The good news is that avoiding them all costs nothing — only awareness before you start.
Tracking and communication during the trip
Good tracking is not an app but a person. Having the name and number of a specific person who knows your shipment and answers you is far more important than a tracking screen showing a dot on a map. We give you a single point of contact from the survey to delivery, so you aren’t passed between numbers every time you ask.
A practical summary of shipping from the Kingdom to Egypt
Also remember Minimum invoice SAR 200, and combine your small items into one shipment instead of several separate ones. This tip alone can save you hundreds of riyals if you send small, frequent batches.
Common questions and their answers
❓ How long does shipping take from Saudi Arabia to the UAE?
❓ How much does it cost to ship a bedroom from Saudi Arabia?
❓ Are there customs duties on used furniture?
❓ What is the difference between customs duties and VAT?
❓ Can I ship a single box from Saudi Arabia?
❓ What usually delays shipments?
❓ Is customs clearance included in the price?
❓ What if an item arrives damaged?
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Each city has its own crossing, distance and prices — routes to Egypt differ fundamentally by departure point.