Middle East and Gulf transit times
| Country | Main ports | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Jebel Ali, Khalifa (Abu Dhabi) | 18–24 days via Suez |
| Saudi Arabia, Gulf coast | Dammam | 20–28 days via Suez |
| Saudi Arabia, Red Sea coast | Jeddah, King Abdullah Port | 14–20 days via Suez |
| Oman | Sohar, Salalah | 18–24 days via Suez |
| Qatar | Hamad | 20–26 days via Suez |
| Kuwait and Bahrain | Shuwaikh, Khalifa Bin Salman | 20–28 days via Suez |
Indicative ranges. Services to the Gulf pass through the Red Sea and Suez, so routing and security conditions affect transit times. Many smaller ports are reached by feeder from Jebel Ali.
Exporting to the Gulf
The Middle East is mainly an export market for UK businesses: machinery and plant, construction materials, vehicles and parts, food and drink, and consumer goods. Documentation is where most problems start:
- Certificates of origin, often certified by a chamber of commerce, and for some countries attested or legalised
- Commercial invoices with the exact details the destination customs expects
- Product conformity certificates for regulated goods in some countries, such as Saudi Arabia's SABER system
- Halal certification for many food products
Requirements vary by country and product, so we confirm them with you before the goods are packed.
Trade agreements
The UK has been negotiating a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman). Until one is in force, goods pay each country's standard import duty, which in the Gulf is often around 5% for many goods. Check the current position for your products.
Project cargo and out-of-gauge
The region's construction, energy and infrastructure projects mean a lot of heavy and oversized cargo. We plan flat racks, open tops and breakbulk shipments case by case. See project cargo.
Holidays and working weeks
Ramadan and Eid affect working hours and customs clearance across the region. The UAE works Monday to Friday, while several other Gulf countries still work Sunday to Thursday, which affects when deliveries and clearances can happen.