With the development of the global supply chain, more and more Middle Eastern countries choose to purchase goods directly from China, especially bulk commodities such as electronics, household goods, and textiles. Businesses and consumers in the Middle East are increasingly paying attention to purchasing directly from China to achieve lower costs and faster supply. So, how can the Middle East place orders and ship goods directly from China?

Middle East Market Overview and Trade Relations with China

The Middle East is a vibrant economy that includes countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel and Oman. The Middle East is well-known for its rich natural resources, and many countries are also actively expanding their economies, involving retail, technology, tourism, and construction. As an important trading partner, China provides the Middle East with a wide variety of goods, including electronic products, machinery and equipment, household goods, clothing, and building materials.

Major ports and airports in the Middle East

Major ports in the Middle East

• Jebel Ali Port (Dubai): As the largest port in the Middle East, Jebel Ali Port connects many places in Asia, Europe and Africa, and is an important hub for cargo transportation between the Middle East and China.
• Dammam Port (Saudi Arabia): An important port in Saudi Arabia, mainly handling bulk and industrial products.
• Hamad Port (Qatar): Qatar’s main seaport, carrying most of the import trade.

Learn more: Top 5 Ports in the Middle East

Major airports in the Middle East:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB): An important hub for air transportation in the Middle East, linking major countries and cities around the world.
• Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH): As the main international airport in Qatar, the airport plays an important role in the Middle East-China air transportation.
• Riyadh International Airport (RUH): Riyadh Airport provides convenient air transportation services for Saudi logistics and trade.

Why do Middle Eastern countries choose to place orders directly from China?

• Price advantage: As the center of global manufacturing, China has relatively lower product prices, which can effectively reduce procurement costs.
• Product diversification: China has a wide range of products, from electronic products to household daily necessities, from textiles to mechanical equipment, all of which can be purchased in China.
• Convenient logistics system: China has a complete logistics system, which can quickly ship to various parts of the Middle East by sea and air.
• Customized production: Many Chinese suppliers can customize goods according to the needs of buyers to meet the needs of the Middle East market.

How to place orders directly from China?

• Choose the right supplier: You can find Chinese suppliers through platforms such as Alibaba and Global Sources, and screen manufacturers that meet your needs.
• Clarify product specifications and requirements: Confirm product specifications, packaging, delivery time and other information with suppliers to ensure that the product meets the requirements.
• Sign a purchase contract: Clarify the price, payment terms, delivery time, transportation method, etc., to ensure that the responsibilities of both parties are clear.
• Arrange payment: Arrange payment according to the terms of the contract, usually by telegraphic transfer (T/T), letter of credit (L/C) and other methods.

Shipping from China to the Middle East

The main modes of shipping from China to the Middle East are sea and air. For bulk or heavy goods, sea freight is the first choice. By using container shipping, companies can reduce transportation costs, especially when shipping over long distances. Air freight is suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements, such as electronic products, fashion clothing, etc. Although air freight costs more, it is fast and suitable for urgent items.

Sea freight from China to the Middle East

In the context of globalized trade, the sea freight route from China to the Middle East has become a key link connecting the two major economies. This sea freight route not only carries a large amount of goods, but also promotes cultural exchanges and economic development between the two sides.

The sea freight route from China to the Middle East mainly passes through the Indian Ocean, and the voyage is long, but it has become the first choice for many companies with its stable transportation capacity and low cost. Major ports in China, such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo Port, Guangzhou Port, etc., have direct routes to the Middle East to ensure that goods can quickly and safely reach major ports in the Middle East, such as Dubai Port and Bandar Abbas.

There are various modes of sea freight, including container transportation and bulk cargo transportation. Container transportation has become the main mode of sea freight from China to the Middle East with its high efficiency and convenience. Bulk cargo transportation is suitable for the transportation of bulk goods, such as coal, ore, etc. In addition, sea freight from China to the Middle East also provides a variety of value-added services, such as cargo insurance, customs declaration and inspection, to meet the diverse needs of customers.

Air Freight from China to the Middle East

As economic cooperation between China and the Middle East continues to deepen, the demand for air freight from China to the Middle East is also growing. Compared with sea transportation, air freight is faster and more timely, and is suitable for the transportation of high-value and urgently needed goods.

Air freight routes from China to the Middle East cover a wide range, connecting major cities in China with multiple international airports in the Middle East. These routes not only provide convenient export channels for Chinese companies, but also provide a stable source of goods for importers in the Middle East. Through air freight, China’s high-tech products, electronic products, clothing, etc. can quickly enter the Middle East market to meet the needs of local consumers.

The timeliness of air freight is one of its biggest advantages. For urgently needed goods, such as medical supplies, fresh products, etc., air freight can ensure that they are delivered to the destination in the shortest time. In addition, air freight also provides a variety of value-added services, such as cargo tracking, temperature-controlled transportation, etc., to meet the diverse needs of customers.

If you are interested in shipping from China to different countries in the Middle East, you can read the following posts:

Cost of shipping from China to Middle Eastern countries

The cost of shipping from China to different ports in different countries in the Middle East is different. The cost of sea and air freight is also very different. Generally speaking, the cost of shipping a 20ft container from China to the Middle East is between US$1,000 and US$3,000, and the cost of a 40ft container is between US$1,800 and US$4,200. The cost of air freight is between US$4 and US$10 per kilogram. You can refer to the table below. For the latest and most accurate prices, you can consult Basenton Logistics.

Origin China	Destination	Ocean Freight (20ft Container)	Air Freight (100 kg)
Ningbo	UAE (Dubai)	$1,200 – $2,500	$500 – $700
Shanghai	Saudi Arabia (Dammam)	$1,300 – $2,200	$520 – $720
Shenzhen	Kuwait (Shuwaikh)	$1,500 – $2,200	$530 – $730
Guangzhou	Qatar (Hamad)	$1,600 – $2,300	$540 – $740
Qingdao	Iraq (Umm Qasr)	$1,700 – $2,400	$550 – $750

If you are interested in the cost of shipping from China to other countries in the Middle East, you can click to read:

Factors that affect the cost of shipping from China to the Middle East

Several factors affect the cost of shipping from China to the Middle East:

• Mode of transport: The choice of sea and air freight has a great impact on the total cost. Generally speaking, sea freight is more cost-effective for bulk goods, while air freight is faster but more expensive.
• Weight and volume: Freight is calculated based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the goods, whichever is greater.
• Distance: The distance between the departure point and the destination affects fuel consumption and overall shipping costs.
• Fuel surcharges: Fluctuations in fuel prices may result in changes in surcharges, which can affect the final shipping cost.
• Tariffs and taxes: Different countries in the Middle East have different tariffs and tax rates, which can affect the total cost.
• Seasonality: Peak seasons, such as holidays, usually see an increase in demand for shipping, which leads to higher costs.
• Additional services: Services such as customs clearance, insurance, and warehousing can increase the overall cost.

Shipping time from China to the Middle East

The shipping time from China to the Middle East by sea and air can be seen in the following table:

Destination	Ocean Freight (Days)	Air Freight (Days)
UAE (Dubai)	22 – 30	3 – 5
Saudi Arabia (Dammam)	23 – 30	3 – 5
Kuwait (Shuwaikh)	25 – 35	3 – 6
Qatar (Hamad)	26 – 35	3 – 6
Iraq (Umm Qasr)	28 – 38	4 – 7

Note: These are approximate times and can vary based on specific conditions and requirements.

Door to Door Shipping from China to the Middle East

When importing goods from China to the Middle East, choosing the right door to door service for your shipping needs is essential to ensure a seamless, efficient and cost-effective logistics operation.

What is door to door service?

Door to door service is an integrated shipping solution where the logistics provider manages the entire process from origin to final destination. This includes cargo collection, transportation, customs clearance and door-to-door delivery. It simplifies the logistics process by providing a single point of contact and reduces the complexity of international shipping.

There are several benefits to choosing door to door service:

• Convenience:
  The logistics provider handles every aspect of the shipping process, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
• Time savings:
  With a single point of contact and streamlined operations, door to door services save time and reduce administrative burdens.
• Cost efficiency:
  Bundling various logistics services often results in cost savings compared to managing each component separately.
• Risk reduction:
  Fully managing the shipping process reduces the risk of errors, delays and additional costs.
• Accountability:
  A single provider is responsible for the entire shipment, which increases responsibility and simplifies problem solving.

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Tariffs and customs clearance from China to the Middle East

• Tariff calculation
  Tariff policies vary from country to country in the Middle East. Usually tariffs are charged at 5%-10% of the total value of the goods, and high-value goods or specific types of goods may face higher tariffs.
• Customs clearance process
  Customs clearance requires complete documents, including packing list, commercial invoice, certificate of origin, etc. To ensure smooth customs clearance, it is recommended to prepare relevant documents in advance and understand the customs clearance policy of the importing country.

Things to note when placing orders from China in the Middle East

• Product quality inspection: It is recommended to arrange third-party quality inspection to ensure that the products meet quality requirements and reduce the possibility of returns or losses.
• Understand local market needs: The Middle East market has special needs for certain commodities, such as electronic products must meet local voltage standards, and household items must meet religious and cultural requirements.
• Language and communication: It is recommended to confirm the details with the supplier and arrange a contact person who can understand Arab culture to ensure smooth communication.
• Choose a reliable freight forwarder: A reliable freight forwarder can help you handle transportation and customs clearance, improve efficiency and reduce risks. Companies such as Basenton Logistics focus on transportation services from China to the Middle East and can provide professional support.

Freight forwarding companies from China to the Middle East

Basenton Logistics is a freight forwarding company that focuses on transportation from China to the Middle East, providing customers with a full range of transportation solutions. The advantages of Basenton Logistics include:

• Rich experience in Middle East transportation: Basenton Logistics understands the characteristics of the Middle East market and customs clearance procedures to ensure fast and safe transportation.
• Door-to-door or DDP service: From pickup, customs declaration to delivery, Basenton provides full-service, convenient for customers to operate without worries.
• A variety of transportation options: We provide a variety of transportation options such as air transportation, sea transportation and cross-border special lines, and customize service solutions according to customer needs.

Purchasing directly from China and arranging transportation to the Middle East can effectively reduce procurement costs and improve supply chain efficiency. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different transportation methods and choosing the appropriate transportation plan according to the type of goods and timeliness requirements will help achieve better logistics results. Through professional companies such as Basenton Logistics, customers can easily cope with various challenges of cross-border transportation and achieve an efficient and convenient logistics experience.