- A customs broker clears goods. A freight forwarder moves them. An importer of record is the legal owner on the declaration. You need all three roles filled, often by one company.
- Broker fees are usually a flat charge per declaration. Saudi broker KDL quotes SAR 300–800 a shipment, and Alliance Shipping quotes AED 300–1,500 at Jebel Ali.
- Government fees come on top: 0.15% of CIF in Saudi Arabia (SAR 15–500), about AED 90 per Dubai declaration.
- Get SABER or ECAS certificates ready before the goods ship. The broker can't clear regulated stock without them.
- Never accept an offer to lower the invoice value. Misdeclaration fines land on the importer, not the broker.
A customs broker is the person who gets your stock out of the port and into your warehouse.
That sounds like a small job. It isn't. One wrong HS code or missing certificate can hold a container for days.
The good news? Saudi Arabia and the UAE both run fully digital customs. A clean file on FASAH or Mirsal 2 can clear in hours.
Below you'll find 10 independently researched brokers and clearance providers, split by country. You'll also see what brokers charge in 2026, how they differ from forwarders and IORs, and the questions to ask before you hire one. It's part of our directory of GCC service providers.
What does a customs broker do?
A customs broker files the import declaration for your goods and gets them released. It's licensed to do this by ZATCA in Saudi Arabia, or by each emirate's customs authority in the UAE.
In practice, a broker handles five jobs:
- Classification. It assigns the 12-digit HS code that sets your duty rate.
- Declaration. It files the entry on FASAH in Saudi Arabia or Mirsal 2 in Dubai.
- Duty and VAT. It calculates what you owe and pays it, then bills you back.
- Permits and inspections. It links SABER, SFDA or ECAS approvals and attends any inspection.
- Release. It collects the release order and hands the goods to your trucker or forwarder.
Think of the broker as your translator at the border. It speaks fluent customs so you don't have to.
Do most ecommerce sellers hire one directly? Not usually.
Clearance comes bundled with the forwarder, the express courier or the 3PL. A separate broker earns its keep on regular container imports, regulated goods and bonded storage.
Customs broker vs freight forwarder vs importer of record
These three roles get mixed up all the time. Each one answers a different question: who moves the goods, who clears them, and who legally owns the import.
| Customs broker | Freight forwarder | Importer of record (IOR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Files the declaration and gets goods released | Books and manages transport end to end | Is the legal importer named on the declaration |
| Liable for duty and VAT | |||
| Needs a local licence | Customs broker licence | Trade licence | Saudi CR or UAE trade licence and customs code |
| Moves the goods | |||
| How it charges | Flat fee per declaration, plus pass-through fees | Margin inside freight rates | Flat fee per shipment or % of CIF |
| When you hire it alone | Container imports, regulated goods, bonded storage | Any stock shipment in cartons or containers | No local company of your own |
One company often fills two or three of these roles. A DDP forwarder, for example, books freight, clears through its own broker and can act as IOR.
So the real question is simpler: is every role covered, and by whom? If you have no local company, start with our guide to importer of record services. If you're still choosing how goods travel, see freight forwarders vs couriers.
How much does a customs broker cost?
Most brokers charge a flat fee per declaration. Government fees, duty and VAT are passed through at cost on top.
Here's how a typical clearance bill breaks down:
| Line | Saudi Arabia | UAE (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
| Broker service fee | SAR 300–800 per shipment | AED 300–1,500 per shipment |
| VAT on the broker fee | 15% | 5% |
| Customs fee | 0.15% of CIF, min SAR 15, max SAR 500 | About AED 90 per declaration |
| Importer registration | Saudi CR, or your IOR's | Customs client code, about AED 120 |
| Duty | Usually 5% of CIF | Usually 5% of CIF |
| Import VAT | 15% of CIF + duty + fees | 5% of CIF + duty + fees |
| SABER shipment certificate (SCoC) | SAR 350 for regulated goods | Not used (ECAS applies) |
| Extras | Inspection, storage, document changes | Inspection, port handling, storage |
Those broker fees are what KDL in Jeddah and Alliance Shipping in Dubai quote on their 2026 price pages. Every broker sets its own rates, so ask each one for a written fee schedule.
Watch how the fee is counted. Some brokers charge per declaration, others per shipment or per HS code line. A mixed carton of 30 SKUs can cost far more under per-line pricing.
The broker fee is rarely the big number, though. Duty and VAT are.
GCC landed cost calculator
Duty, import VAT, customs fees and SABER costs for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider GCC
GCC default is 5%. Check your HS code: some Saudi lines are 10-25%.
Your landed cost
- GoodsSAR 750
- Shipping + insuranceSAR 94CIF valueSAR 844
- Customs dutySAR 0
- Customs feesSAR 15
- Import VATSAR 129
- SABER (incl. VAT)SAR 0
- Total landed costSAR 988
- Under the de minimis threshold: no customs duty.
- Flat SAR 15 fee for online-store parcels up to SAR 1,000.
Estimates based on published ZATCA, Dubai Customs, SABER and GCC customs rules as of October 2026. VAT is charged on CIF + duty + customs fees. Confirm rates for your HS code with a licensed customs broker.
Want the rates behind the calculator? Our GCC customs duties guide covers duty, VAT and the duty-free limits in all six states.
How does clearance work with FASAH, Mirsal 2, SABER and ECAS?
Clearance is a relay. Product approvals come first, then the broker files, then customs releases.
- 1
Certify regulated products
In Saudi Arabia, register products on SABER and request a shipment certificate (SCoC, SAR 350) before departure. In the UAE, get ECAS approval from MoIAT for regulated goods. SFDA covers food, cosmetics and devices in Saudi Arabia.
- 2
Send the broker your documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin and any conformity certificates. Send them before the goods land.
- 3
Broker files the declaration
On FASAH, ZATCA's single window, ideally 48 hours before arrival. In Dubai the broker files in Mirsal 2 under the importer's customs code.
- 4
Customs checks the risk
SABER certificates link to FASAH automatically. A clean file goes to the green track; otherwise customs inspects the goods.
- 5
Pay duty and VAT
The broker pays through SADAD in Saudi Arabia or e-Dirham in Dubai. VAT-registered UAE importers can use the reverse charge instead.
- 6
Release and deliver
The broker collects the release, the forwarder pays port charges and the delivery order, and your stock trucks to the warehouse.
Who owns step one? Usually you, or your IOR. Many brokers can coordinate SABER or ECAS, but the certificates sit in the importer's account.
Our guides to the SABER certificate and UAE ECAS rules walk through each approval.
How do you choose a customs broker?
Start with your goods and your port, not with the broker's brochure. The right broker clears your category at your entry point every week.
Here's what to weigh:
- Licence and ports. Ask for the licence number and the exact ports or airports it clears at, such as Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh airport or Jebel Ali.
- Your category. Cosmetics, food, electronics and children's products need permits. Pick a broker that files those every week.
- AEO status. Authorized Economic Operator status means a trusted, faster lane. NAQEL, for example, says it holds AEO status with Saudi customs.
- Bundle or stand alone. If your forwarder or 3PL already clears, compare its rate with an independent broker before adding a vendor.
- Bonded storage. Need to hold stock before paying duty? Bahri and Salasa list bonded zones in Saudi Arabia, and UAE free zones work the same way.
- Duty funding. Ask whether the broker pre-funds duty or waits for your payment. Waiting can add storage days.
Customs brokers in Saudi Arabia
All 10 companies in our list clear goods into the Kingdom. They aren't ranked, and the order isn't a recommendation.
On each card, "Best for" is our summary of where the company fits. The bullet points are what the company says about itself, or what the press has reported.
NAQEL Express
Best for: E-commerce parcels and B2B freight cleared into KSA by a Saudi AEO carrier
- The company says it is an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) for Saudi customs
- Bundles clearance with nationwide KSA delivery and claims handling online
Starlinks
Best for: Foreign sellers without a Saudi CR who need an Importer of Record
- The company lists Import of Record as an e-commerce service
- Says it is SFDA approved and ISO certified
Salasa
Best for: Sellers who want clearance and Riyadh fulfillment from one Saudi provider
- The company lists customs clearance and bonded-zone storage under cross-border e-commerce
Aramex Customs Clearance
Best for: Sellers wanting brokerage in every GCC country under one regional brand
- Wikipedia lists customs clearance among Aramex's core services; operates across 70 countries
Expeditors
Best for: Brands needing compliance-heavy clearance (classification, regulated goods)
- The company says it has 3,000+ customs employees globally
- Strong compliance consulting (HS classification, tradeflow)
Kuehne+Nagel UAE
Best for: Shippers already moving freight with K+N who want clearance bundled
- UAE site lists customs clearance as a value-added service
DHL Global Forwarding (Customs Services)
Best for: Express and freight shipments needing clearance by a global integrator
- DHL says it offers a broad range of customs brokerage services using customs-clearance technology and EDI (global customs page)
- Hiring customs clearance brokers in Riyadh for customs and trade-compliance work (2026 job listings)
- Oct 2024: DHL Supply Chain launched in the UAE via transfer of some operations from DHL Global Forwarding, adding contract logistics
GAC
Best for: Industrial and project cargo needing clearance at Jebel Ali and Saudi ports
- Founded 1956 in Kuwait (Gulf Agency Company), then expanded to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar
- GAC says 9,000+ people in 300+ offices worldwide (Abu Dhabi brochure); a Gulf News advertorial says 7,500+ in 50 countries
- UAE offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah; group HQ in Dubai
Bahri Logistics
Best for: Importers who want bonded storage at Jeddah before duty payment
- The company announced a Bahri Bonded Zone at Jeddah Islamic Port
- Says it has 40+ years of maritime experience
Dantful International Logistics
Best for: China-origin sellers who want duty and clearance included in one landed price
- Says under DDP it covers Saudi duties and 15% VAT on CIF, and UAE 5% duty plus 5% VAT
- Notes many Alibaba/1688 suppliers do not offer DDP by default
For Saudi-only detail on FASAH, ports and costs, see our list of customs brokers in Saudi Arabia.
Customs brokers in the UAE
Eight of the providers also clear in the UAE, mostly at Jebel Ali and Dubai's airports. Global networks such as DHL, Kuehne+Nagel and Expeditors suit sellers already shipping with them.
NAQEL Express
Best for: E-commerce parcels and B2B freight cleared into KSA by a Saudi AEO carrier
- The company says it is an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) for Saudi customs
- Bundles clearance with nationwide KSA delivery and claims handling online
Starlinks
Best for: Foreign sellers without a Saudi CR who need an Importer of Record
- The company lists Import of Record as an e-commerce service
- Says it is SFDA approved and ISO certified
Aramex Customs Clearance
Best for: Sellers wanting brokerage in every GCC country under one regional brand
- Wikipedia lists customs clearance among Aramex's core services; operates across 70 countries
Expeditors
Best for: Brands needing compliance-heavy clearance (classification, regulated goods)
- The company says it has 3,000+ customs employees globally
- Strong compliance consulting (HS classification, tradeflow)
Kuehne+Nagel UAE
Best for: Shippers already moving freight with K+N who want clearance bundled
- UAE site lists customs clearance as a value-added service
DHL Global Forwarding (Customs Services)
Best for: Express and freight shipments needing clearance by a global integrator
- DHL says it offers a broad range of customs brokerage services using customs-clearance technology and EDI (global customs page)
- Hiring customs clearance brokers in Riyadh for customs and trade-compliance work (2026 job listings)
- Oct 2024: DHL Supply Chain launched in the UAE via transfer of some operations from DHL Global Forwarding, adding contract logistics
GAC
Best for: Industrial and project cargo needing clearance at Jebel Ali and Saudi ports
- Founded 1956 in Kuwait (Gulf Agency Company), then expanded to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar
- GAC says 9,000+ people in 300+ offices worldwide (Abu Dhabi brochure); a Gulf News advertorial says 7,500+ in 50 countries
- UAE offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah; group HQ in Dubai
Dantful International Logistics
Best for: China-origin sellers who want duty and clearance included in one landed price
- Says under DDP it covers Saudi duties and 15% VAT on CIF, and UAE 5% duty plus 5% VAT
- Notes many Alibaba/1688 suppliers do not offer DDP by default
Clearing into a Dubai free zone or the mainland? Our list of customs brokers in the UAE covers both.
What about Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman?
Four providers in our list say they operate in all six GCC states: Aramex, GAC, NAQEL and Starlinks. That's handy if you sell across the region from one hub.
Duty paid at the first GCC entry point generally isn't charged again inside the customs union. Each state still has its own VAT rules and paperwork at the border. Bahrain charges 10% VAT, Oman 5%, and Kuwait and Qatar have none.
What should you ask before you hire a broker?
Send the same questions to two or three brokers. Clear, written answers are a good sign.
Notes for Chinese sellers
- DDP can cover clearance. China-origin forwarders such as Dantful say their DDP price includes Saudi or UAE duty, VAT and clearance.
- Check the declared value. A DDP rate far below the market often relies on under-declaration. Ask for a copy of the customs declaration.
- Labels matter. Saudi Arabia wants "Made in China" on products and packs, plus Arabic consumer labels.
- Register before you ship. SABER certificates must exist before the goods leave China.
The full route is covered in shipping from China to Saudi Arabia.
Notes for Amazon and noon sellers
- Someone must be the importer. Marketplace programmes, IOR providers and some forwarders can fill that role for cross-border sellers.
- Clear before the appointment. Fulfilment centres only take booked deliveries, so build clearance time into your inbound plan.
- Pick a broker near your warehouse. Clearing at Dammam suits Riyadh stock; Jebel Ali suits Dubai.
For inbound rules, see Amazon FBA in Saudi Arabia.
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In this section
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for commercial shipments. Declarations go through FASAH, ZATCA's single window, and are filed by a licensed broker for an importer with a Saudi CR or an IOR. Couriers clear low-value parcels themselves, so B2C sellers shipping single orders rarely hire one.
Sources & further reading
- New customs fee structure (news 1282) — Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
- Customs Clearance in Saudi Arabia: Complete Guide 2026 — Ahmed Bahkali Logistics
- UAE import customs and import VAT in 2026 — UpperSetup
- Customs Broker Dubai Fees 2026: What Sellers Pay — Blooprint (October 2026)
- What is the Customs Clearance Cost at Jebel Ali Port Dubai? — Alliance Shipping (2026)
- Customs clearance prices in Jeddah — Khalid Al-Dhafer & Bros. (KDL), 2026
- SABER product and shipment conformity platform — Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
This guide is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change — always confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor.
Maya is MiddleEastEcom's lead guide and editor. She researches GCC marketplaces, payments and regulations and turns them into practical playbooks for sellers.
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