Saudi Arabia captivates as a land of spiritual landmarks like Mecca alongside booming Riyadh Season events, luxury compounds, and desert adventures perfect for expats enjoying high salaries, family compounds with international schools, and modern infrastructure. Its oil wealth fuels career growth in engineering and IT.
At John Mason, we can help make your move to Saudi Arabia simple and stress-free with our expert international removals service.
Saudi Arabia is a popular destination for UK expats and young professionals who are looking for a higher standard of living, who are wanting to experience a culture vastly different to that of the UK.
Saudi Arabia is popular with young working professionals who are looking to progress their career in a range of booming sectors such as healthcare, engineering, finance, and more, with tax-free salaries and steady career progression just some of the attractive benefits of working in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is also a popular relocation destination for families. The country has seen a growing number of international schools for British students, allowing children to continue their education in a country with low crime rates and improved financial security.
We provide fully bespoke door-to-door shipping services from the UK to your new home in Saudi Arabia.
With our international removals services, our expert packers situated in both the UK and Saudi Arabia can take care of the packing, loading, shipping, and unpacking of your personal belongings, as well as:
As well as international removals, we can also assist with additional relocation services, including:
Contact us to discuss your requirements, and our international team will guide you through the relocation process.
As the UK’s most trusted international removals company, we have been helping customers with their international removals for over 150 years. Our team aims to make your relocation to Saudi Arabia as stress-free as possible.
To start off your moving process with us, book a free home survey or get an instant quote today.
Your dedicated account manager will be available to answer any questions you have about moving to Saudi Arabia, including our processes, time frames, and any special requirements you may have.
Our expert team of packing professionals will pack your belongings securely and with the utmost care, keeping to a time frame that ensures that they arrive in your new home in time for your arrival.
Our removal experts will deal with customs clearance when your goods arrive in Saudi Arabia and deliver them safely to your new home.
Our costs for international removals to Saudi Arabia vary, depending on various factors, including:
For a clearer indication of international removals to Saudi Arabia costs, get a no obligation personal quote today.
When shipping your belongings to Saudi Arabia, there are two options you can consider; sea freight and air freight. Each shipping option comes with their own considerations, so it is important that you choose the option which is best for you. Your dedicated account manager can help walk you through each of your options.
Both sea freight and air freight will require various documentation. Obtaining these required documents is included as part of our removals service:
Sea freight is one the most cost-effective methods of getting your belongings safely transported to Saudi Arabia, and can be shipped in two ways:
A full container load shipping gives you more flexibility in shipping timeframes, as you have exclusive use of the container. These containers typically measure at 20ft x 40ft, which is enough for the contents of a typical three-bedroom house.
Shared container shipping is cheaper, but less flexible than full containers in terms of shipping times. A shared container will store your belongings in a container along with other items, so you only need to pay for the space which you take up.
Transporting your items via air freight is a much quicker option than by sea. At John Mason, you can choose to have all of your items transported via air freight, or just the essential items which you would like to arrive ahead of the sea container shipment.
We understand that relocating can be stressful, which is why our goal is to make your move to Saudi Arabia as smooth as possible, including helping you ship your vehicle overseas. Selling or storing your car can be costly and time-consuming, so we can include vehicle shipping in your international removal quote.
Vehicles must meet Saudi import regulations. Cars over five years old cannot be imported, and expatriates are permitted to bring only one vehicle into the country. A SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation) conformity certificate is required and must be applied for in the UK. Some vehicles may need modifications or part replacements to meet these standards.
To ship your left-hand drive car to Saudi Arabia, you will need the following documents:
Customs duty will apply, as set by the Saudi Arabian Customs Authorities.
There are some items which you are prohibited to ship to Saudi Arabia due to local laws and regulations. These will be detailed to you by your dedicated account manager as part of the removals process. You do not need to be present at the customs inspection, although you may be called in if there are any possible prohibited or restricted items in the shipment.
All electrical items will be tested upon import, to ensure that they meet safety standards. Saudi Arabia also offers custom duty exemptions for personal belongings when relocating to the country, however, this only valid up until a certain threshold (around £600).
To find out more, check out our Customs guide to Saudi Arabia.
A country’s customs requirements can change on a regular basis. Please contact us to clarify the customs requirements applicable to your shipment.
The following items are subject to censorship and penalties can be charged if items are confiscated:
All household goods shipped and imported into Saudi Arabia are subject to customs duties (from between 5 -20%). The local value and receipts are used to calculate the value of items by Customs authorities.
Exemptions to the above include clothing which has been owned and used and books. This is applicable to clothes and books which are imported at reasonable quantities.
To complete customs clearance, be prepared with all necessary import documentation for your household goods and vehicle. Specific requirements can vary, but typically include inventory lists, passports, certificates of origin, and any relevant import permits. Customs officials use a detailed tariff schedule and Harmonized System (HS) code classification to determine duties on individual items.
The shipper must be present in the country when customs clearance takes place.
At John Mason International, we are dedicated to providing transparent, efficient services that you can trust. With over 100 years of experience in international removals and relocation, we help over 10,000 people move overseas every year.
Our team of experts are trained to take the utmost care of your possessions, managing all the relevant shipping requirements and dealing with customs clearance on your behalf. We will keep you up-to-date throughout the entire moving process and answer any questions you have accurately and clearly.
In 2024, we were awarded The King’s Awards for Enterprise’s award, recognising our contributions to international trade, customer service, and operational excellence.
Read our independent reviews on Trustpilot.
Read more about our Kings Award for Enterprise award.
Get assistance with your packing and wrapping with our expert
packing services, including full export wrapping and professional crating.
Our Saudi Arabia pet relocation service is a full door-to-door service, ensuring your furry friend arrives at your new home safely and at ease.
When moving to Saudi Arabia, you will likely need to secure a valid residency or work visa. Our immigration experts are on hand to help you navigate the complexities of the visa application process.
We have an extensive range of resources, containing helpful information about moving overseas and what it’s like to live in Saudi Arabia.
In Saudi Arabia, the majority of the workforce is made up of foreign workers, due to the attractive job opportunities and high salaries. Those looking for work in sectors such as Finance, IT, and Engineering can find great career progression opportunities in Saudi Arabia, along with a better standard of living.
Left-hand drive vehicles are able to be shipped to Saudi Arabia, as long as they comply with certain requirements and that valid documentation is present. Your dedicated moving manager can provide more information on the specific requirements for your vehicle’s shipment.
The transportation method taken will greatly impact the average removal time for shipment to Saudi Arabia, with air freight taking a significantly shorter amount of time than sea freight. Shipping by sole use container will typically take between 7 to 16 weeks, whereas shipping by air freight takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
Learn more about the international removals costs and timescales.
Customs regulations can vary depending on the specific country in the Middle East that you are shipping to. Generally, you will need to provide a detailed inventory of your belongings, a commercial invoice, and a bill of lading or air waybill. Depending on the nature of your shipment, you may also need additional documentation such as permits or licenses. It’s important to work with a trusted and experienced international removals company like John Mason International to ensure that you comply with all relevant regulations.
