Shipping company from Makkah to Egypt — Before you call any shipping company, there are five things worth knowing: the crossing your shipment will use, the difference between customs duties and VAT, the documents without which the truck doesn’t move, the items that stall the whole shipment if found in it, and the reasonable price range for your shipment’s volume. This guide covers all five in order, so you go into the call knowing what to ask and what to get in writing. Seasonal traffic linked to Hajj and Umrah — book early.
Route: Makkah → Jeddah → Madinah → Tabuk → Duba port → ferry → Safaga
Shipments from Makkah join the northern coastal route after Jeddah and then climb to Duba. Traffic rises in the Hajj and Umrah seasons, so early booking is advised.
How does your shipment reach Egypt? The ferry, not the container
There is a second route working on the same principle: by land via Jordan to Aqaba port then a ferry to Nuweiba in Sinai. It is a valid option, but the Duba–Safaga line is the main artery because it is shorter and doesn’t pass through a transit country.
| 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
Before loading your shipment, spend ten minutes with the document list and make sure it is complete. These ten minutes save you, on average, a whole day of waiting at the crossing. The attention needed is not only that the papers exist but that their details match: the name, ID number, description of contents and declared value.
Items that stall your whole shipment — check them before closing
The official lists of prohibited and restricted items are updated periodically, so the rule is to review them before every shipment rather than rely on old information. The simple practical rule: anything that burns, explodes or needs a medical or agricultural permit — ask about it before packing it. Our role is to review your contents list with you before loading, not after.
- 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. 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 |
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.
Car shipping prices and durations to Egypt
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 1,250 – 1,850 | 7 – 12 days |
| 4×4 (SUV) | Shared carrier or flatbed | SAR 1,550 – 2,350 | 7 – 12 days |
| Luxury / sports | Enclosed hydraulic flatbed | SAR 2,400 – 3,900 | 45 – 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.
Commercial shipping specialisms: from dates to heavy equipment
Each item has its own legal requirements and handling method. Dates and coffee need packing that preserves quality and prevents moisture, medical supplies need clearance from the competent authority, pesticides are only moved with a permit, and heavy equipment needs loading and unloading planning before the day of the trip. Experience here means knowing each item’s requirements before loading, not discovering them at the crossing.
Real ways to save, and others that look like savings but aren’t
The biggest item on your bill is volume, so the biggest possible saving comes from sorting before the survey. The second option is consolidated shipping, which spreads the trip’s cost over several customers and saves up to 35% in exchange for a slightly longer wait. Booking early outside peak seasons — summer and the start of the school year — gives you a better price because demand is lower and scheduling easier. 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 35% 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 Makkah and the surrounding areas?
Collection is not limited to Makkah city. We also cover the surrounding governorates, which matters for factories and traders whose warehouses are outside Madinah where land is cheaper. The practical difference is that collection outside Makkah needs scheduling a day in advance because the truck leaves Madinah specifically, while collection inside the city can usually be arranged the same day.
Items that allow no mistakes: how do we handle them?
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 Makkah 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.
Moving office furniture and corporate fittings
Moving an office differs from moving a home in one decisive point: downtime is costly. So corporate shipments are usually carried out at weekends or in stages so that work doesn’t stop. Planning starts two weeks ahead, not two days, and includes numbering the departments and a layout map for the new premises. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
What happens after the shipment reaches Egypt?
Assembly at destination needs advance coordination: is the home ready? Is the electricity connected? Do the dimensions suit the new space? Many problems blamed on the carrier are caused by the home not being ready on delivery day, so the team had to unload the pieces in the living room and come back later.
Ferry, container or air? The practical difference
The ferry is the main option on this route, and its decisive advantage is that the truck crosses with its full load and isn’t unloaded at the port. Only two handlings: loading with us and unloading in Egypt. Every extra handling means an extra chance of damage, which matters for appliances and furniture more than anything.
| Criterion | Ferry 🚢 | Containers 📦 | Air ✈️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling | Only two handlings | Multiple at ports | Medium |
| Duration | 7 – 12 days | Longer | 25 – 45 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?
What if the new home isn’t ready yet?
The timing gap is a real problem in an international move: your lease in Makkah ends two weeks before your home in Cairo is ready. The solution is not to rush either one but temporary storage — your items are shipped and kept in a secure warehouse until your collection date, then delivered on the day you choose. That is why the Al Mellah International Shipping team starts the customs file on the day of the survey.
When should you book your shipment to get the best price?
Timing affects not only the price but the quality of execution. At peak times teams are busy and schedules tight, and any delay on one shipment cascades to the next. In quiet seasons the same team works on your shipment with more ease, and this shows in the packing and assembly.
Air freight to Egypt: when is it worth the cost?
Volumetric weight is what usually surprises customers. A large, light box is charged by its volume, not its actual weight, because it takes up space on the plane. So tight packing and reducing empty space inside the box save you real money in air freight specifically.
| 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 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.
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.
Furniture moving from Makkah 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.
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
Choosing the transport method here is not a luxury but a decision based on the car’s value and condition. Low and sports cars need a hydraulic flatbed that lowers fully to the ground, high-value cars deserve an enclosed carrier that protects them from stones and dust on the long road, and for an ordinary family car the shared carrier is an excellent economical option.
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 6,800 – 9,200 per trip | SAR 775 – 1,350 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 |
Pricing system: per kilo, per unit and per piece
The average price per kilo is about SAR 3, and the difference between companies is a quarter or half a riyal within normal competition. AndMinimum invoice SAR 200 however small the shipment — even if it weighs one kilogram — because the cost of collection, packing, clearance and delivery is fixed and doesn’t scale with weight.
| Item | Unit of measurement | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and general items | Per kilo | About 15 – 25 per kg |
| Medium box | Per piece | SAR 145 |
| Large box | Per piece | SAR 195 |
| Jumbo box | Per piece | SAR 240 |
| Barrel | Per piece | SAR 225 – 290 |
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 340 – 630 depending on units |
| Fridge | In feet | SAR 175 – 290 depending on size |
| Washing machine | Operating capacity | SAR 145 – 270 (7 kg vs 12 kg) |
| Gas cooker | Per piece | SAR 290 – 340 |
| 32-inch screen | In inches | SAR 435 – 535 |
| 43-inch screen | In inches | SAR 730 – 875 |
| 55-inch screen | In inches | SAR 970 – 1,210 |
All prices include customs, fees and delivery to the door — the final price is set after the survey.
The inland distribution network in Egypt
We ask for a full address and a working number for the receiver within Egypt. Addresses in villages and districts need more detail than in cities, so add the nearest landmark to make access easier.
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
Parcel pricing differs from furniture pricing: it is calculated by weight or volume, whichever is higher, so using boxes of regular dimensions saves you real money. A well-filled square box stacks efficiently inside the truck, while a misshapen or half-empty box is charged by its size, not its contents. At Al Mellah International Shipping you get a clear answer to this question before signing.
The fleet and equipment: what we use to carry out your shipment
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 Makkah
For factories that export regularly to the Egyptian market, we build a fixed loading schedule that matches their production cycle. This turns shipping from an emergency every time into a planned item in the supply chain, reducing both cost and stress.
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 – 12 days — and where you land within this range depends on the readiness of the paperwork more than anything else.
Guide to choosing a carrier: signs of professionalism and signs of danger
The most dangerous thing about choosing a shipping company is that the result of a mistake only shows when it’s too late — after your shipment is loaded and gone. So minutes of checking before signing matter far more than any follow-up afterwards. Ask, get written answers, and don’t settle for verbal promises however confident the speaker seems. 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.
How do you know where your shipment is at every moment?
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.
The summary in points
The most important question when comparing: does the price include customs? A quote that looks a hundred riyals cheaper may be hundreds dearer if the fees are outside it. This is the most common way prices are compared wrongly on this route in particular.
Frequently asked questions about shipping from Makkah to Egypt
❓ What is the difference between customs duties and VAT?
❓ Can I ship a single box from Makkah?
❓ What usually delays shipments?
❓ Is customs clearance included in the price?
❓ What if an item arrives damaged?
❓ How long does shipping take from Makkah to the UAE?
❓ How much does it cost to ship a bedroom from Makkah?
❓ Are there customs duties on used furniture?
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Each city has its own crossing, distance and prices — routes to Egypt differ fundamentally by departure point.