How to Export to Saudi Arabia from India — Complete Guide

Saudi Arabia is one of India's most important trading partners in the Middle East, with India exporting $8,585.56 million worth of goods to the Kingdom in 2024-25. While down from a peak of $11,198 million in 2023-24, Saudi Arabia remains a massive market for Indian goods — from vehicles and rice to chemicals and machinery. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 diversification programme is creating entirely new demand categories as Saudi Arabia builds cities, entertainment complexes, and industrial capacity at an unprecedented scale.

For Indian MSME exporters, Saudi Arabia offers strong demand for food products (the Kingdom imports over 80% of its food), construction materials, automotive parts, textiles, and consumer goods. Cultural and trade ties between India and Saudi Arabia go back centuries, and the 2.7 million Indian expatriates living in the Kingdom create natural demand channels. This guide covers every aspect of exporting to Saudi Arabia — from the SABER conformity system to halal requirements, logistics, and payment practices.

India–Saudi Arabia Trade Overview

India's exports to Saudi Arabia reached $8,585.56 million in 2024-25. The spike to $11,198 million in 2023-24 was driven by elevated petroleum product re-exports and strong demand linked to Vision 2030 construction activity. The baseline trend shows consistent growth from $7.6 billion in 2022-23 as the Kingdom's economy diversifies and consumer demand rises.

Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest export destination in the Middle East (after the UAE) and among the top 15 globally. The trade relationship is evolving — historically dominated by rice and food products, it now includes significant exports of vehicles, machinery, and industrial goods as Saudi Arabia's manufacturing and infrastructure sectors expand.

The Kingdom's Vision 2030 programme — which aims to reduce dependence on oil revenues — is creating massive demand for construction materials, industrial equipment, consumer goods, and food products. Projects like NEOM, the Red Sea tourism development, and Riyadh's expansion into a megacity of 15 million people are driving import demand that Indian exporters are well-positioned to capture.

What India Exports to Saudi Arabia

The top product categories exported from India to Saudi Arabia in 2024-25:

Rank	HS Chapter	Product Category	Export Value (USD Million)
1	87	Vehicles and parts	$1,599.0
2	10	Rice	$1,331.0
3	29	Organic chemicals	$771.9
4	84	Machinery	$743.4
5	73	Iron and steel articles	$491.9
6	85	Electrical equipment	$383.6
7	02	Meat	$318.2
8	61	Knitted apparel	$196.7
9	39	Plastics	$172.8
10	09	Spices	$164.8
11	71	Gems and jewellery	$151.4
12	62	Woven apparel	$149.0

Vehicles and parts ($1.6B) lead Indian exports to Saudi Arabia, driven by strong demand for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and auto components. Rice ($1.33B) is the second-largest category — Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest rice importers, and India is its primary supplier of basmati and non-basmati varieties. The chemicals and industrial cluster (organic chemicals, machinery, steel articles, electrical equipment) totals $2.4 billion, reflecting Saudi Arabia's infrastructure build-out. Meat exports ($318M) — primarily buffalo meat (carabeef) — serve the Kingdom's food needs, while textiles and apparel ($346M) cater to the consumer market.

Regulatory and Customs Framework

Saudi Arabia has significantly modernised its regulatory and customs systems in recent years as part of Vision 2030. Indian exporters must navigate the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO) requirements and the SABER electronic conformity assessment platform.

SASO Standards

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO) sets technical regulations and quality standards for all products entering the Saudi market. SASO standards cover product safety, performance, labelling, and packaging. Many SASO standards are aligned with international standards (ISO, IEC), but some have Saudi-specific requirements — particularly for food products, building materials, and electrical equipment.

The SABER System

SABER is Saudi Arabia's electronic platform for product conformity assessment. Since January 2019, virtually all products imported into Saudi Arabia must be registered on SABER before they can clear customs.

How SABER works:

1. Product Registration: Register your product on the SABER platform (saber.sa) by submitting technical specifications, test reports, and conformity certificates.
2. Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC): For each shipment, obtain a Shipment Certificate of Conformity through SABER. This is linked to a specific invoice and shipment.
3. Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC): For regulated products, you need a Product Certificate of Conformity from an accredited conformity assessment body (CAB). Several international CABs have offices in India, including SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and TUV.

Product categories under SABER regulation:

• All food products
• Building and construction materials
• Electrical and electronic products
• Automotive parts and vehicles
• Textiles and garments
• Toys and children's products
• Cosmetics and personal care products

Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)

The SFDA regulates food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics entering Saudi Arabia.

Food imports:

• Product registration on the SFDA electronic system is mandatory
• Health certificates from the exporting country's competent authority are required
• Lab analysis reports for contaminants, additives, and microbiological safety
• Shelf life requirement: At least 50% of the product's total shelf life must remain at the time of arrival in Saudi Arabia. This is strictly enforced — do not ship products with less than half their shelf life remaining.

Pharmaceutical imports:

• SFDA marketing authorisation is required
• GMP certification from the country of origin
• Stability data for Saudi climatic conditions (hot, humid)
• Arabic and English labelling with full prescribing information

Halal Certification

Halal certification is mandatory for all food products containing meat, poultry, or animal-derived ingredients imported into Saudi Arabia. This includes gelatin, animal fats, and certain food additives.

Requirements:

• Halal certificate must be issued by a certification body recognised by the Saudi government
• In India, recognised halal certifiers include Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Halal India, and FSSAI-approved halal certification agencies
• The halal certificate must accompany each shipment
• Slaughter of animals must follow Islamic requirements (Dhabihah)
• For processed food, the entire supply chain — including ingredients, processing, and packaging — must be halal-compliant

Arabic Labelling

All consumer products must have labels in Arabic. For food products, the label must include:

• Product name in Arabic
• Ingredients list in Arabic (in descending order of weight)
• Net weight/volume
• Manufacturing date and expiry date (Hijri and Gregorian calendars)
• Country of origin
• Storage conditions
• Name and address of the importer
• Nutritional information panel
• Halal certification mark (for relevant products)

Key Standards and Certifications

For food products:

• Halal certification (mandatory for animal-derived products)
• SFDA registration
• GCC Standardization Organisation (GSO) food standards
• Codex Alimentarius compliance for contaminant levels

For construction and building materials:

• SASO quality mark
• Fire safety testing per Saudi Building Code requirements
• SABER product certification

For electrical and electronic products:

• IECEE CB scheme test reports
• SASO IECEE recognition for low voltage equipment
• Energy efficiency labelling (for appliances)

For vehicles and automotive parts:

• Saudi Arabian Motor Vehicle Certification (SMMVCC)
• GCC type approval for vehicles
• SASO-approved testing for aftermarket auto parts

Tariff Structure and Trade Agreements

Saudi Arabia applies the GCC Common External Tariff (CET) on imports from non-GCC countries. The standard customs duty rate is 5% on most goods, which is low by global standards. However, certain product categories attract higher duties.

Product Category	Saudi Tariff Rate
Most raw materials	0-5%
Rice (1006)	0%
Meat (0201-0204)	0-5%
Vehicles (8703)	5%
Machinery (84xx)	5%
Textiles and apparel	5-12%
Iron and steel articles (7326)	5%
Chemicals (29xx)	5%
Cigarettes and tobacco	100%
Energy drinks	50%

India-Saudi Arabia Trade Relations: There is no Free Trade Agreement between India and Saudi Arabia, though discussions on a CEPA-like (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) framework have been explored. India does not currently benefit from preferential tariff access to Saudi Arabia.

Value Added Tax (VAT): Saudi Arabia introduced a 15% VAT in July 2020 (increased from 5%). VAT is applied on the CIF value plus customs duty. This is the importer's responsibility, but factor it into pricing discussions.

Use the Duty Calculator to check the exact tariff rate for your HS code.

Logistics and Shipping

Shipping Routes and Transit Times

The proximity between India's western coast and Saudi Arabia is a major advantage:

• JNPT/Nhava Sheva to Jeddah Islamic Port: 7-10 days
• Mundra/Kandla to Dammam (King Abdulaziz Port): 5-8 days
• JNPT to Dammam: 8-12 days
• Chennai to Jeddah: 10-14 days
• Air freight (Mumbai/Delhi to Riyadh/Jeddah): 4-6 hours direct

Major Saudi Ports

• Jeddah Islamic Port — Saudi Arabia's largest port, on the Red Sea coast. Handles about 65% of the Kingdom's sea freight. Primary entry point for goods destined for western Saudi Arabia, Makkah, and Madinah.
• King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam — The main port on the Arabian Gulf (eastern coast). Serves Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and is the gateway for goods entering from the Gulf side.
• Jubail Commercial Port — Serves the Jubail industrial complex, mainly for industrial inputs and chemicals.
• Yanbu Commercial Port — On the Red Sea, growing as an alternative to Jeddah for industrial cargo.

Freight Costs (Indicative, 2024-25)

• 20-ft container to Jeddah: $1,000-$2,000
• 40-ft container to Dammam: $1,500-$3,000
• Air freight: $2-$4.50 per kg

Incoterms

Most India-Saudi Arabia trade is conducted on CFR (Cost and Freight) or CIF terms, where the Indian exporter arranges shipping. This differs from US/EU markets where FOB is more common. Ensure your freight costs are accurately calculated before quoting CIF/CFR prices.

Documentation Requirements

1. Commercial Invoice (in English and Arabic)
2. Packing List
3. Bill of Lading (marked "freight prepaid" if CIF/CFR terms)
4. Certificate of Origin (attested by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Saudi Embassy/Consulate if required)
5. SABER Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
6. SABER Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) for regulated products
7. Halal Certificate (for food products with animal-derived ingredients)
8. Health Certificate (for food products)
9. Phytosanitary Certificate (for agricultural/plant products)
10. SFDA import permit (for food, drugs, and medical devices)
11. Shipping Bill (filed via ICEGATE)
12. Insurance Certificate

Legalisation of documents: Saudi Arabia may require commercial documents (invoices, certificates of origin) to be attested by the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in India. Check current requirements with your freight forwarder, as some documents can now be processed electronically.

Payment and Banking

Payment Methods

• Letters of Credit (LC): The dominant payment method for India-Saudi trade, particularly for first-time and medium-sized transactions. Saudi banks (Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank) have established correspondent relationships with Indian banks.
• Wire Transfer (T/T): Common for repeat orders with established buyers. Advance payment of 20-30% with balance against shipping documents is typical.
• Documents against Payment (D/P): Used for relationships transitioning from LC to open account terms.
• Open Account: Less common than in Western markets. Saudi payment cycles can extend to 60-90 days. Use ECGC insurance if extending open account terms.

Currency

Trade is predominantly in USD, though some Saudi importers prefer SAR (Saudi Riyal). The SAR is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate of 3.75 SAR = 1 USD, which eliminates exchange rate risk for USD-denominated contracts.

Saudi Commercial Agency Law

If you appoint a Saudi agent or distributor, be aware of the Saudi Commercial Agency Law. Once a commercial agency agreement is registered with the Ministry of Commerce, the agent has significant legal protections and terminating the relationship can be difficult and expensive. Consult a legal adviser before entering into agency agreements.

Common Mistakes

Not registering on SABER before shipping. The SABER system requires both product certification and shipment-specific certification. Goods arriving without a valid SABER Shipment Certificate of Conformity will be held at port. Register your products on SABER well before your first shipment.

Shipping food with less than 50% remaining shelf life. Saudi Arabia strictly enforces the 50% shelf life rule. If your product has a 12-month shelf life, it must have at least 6 months remaining when it arrives in the Kingdom. Plan your production and shipping schedule accordingly.

Inadequate Arabic labelling. Consumer products without Arabic labels will not clear Saudi customs. Adding labels after arrival is costly and causes delays. Print Arabic labels at your facility before shipping.

Ignoring halal requirements for non-obvious products. Some products that do not obviously contain animal ingredients — such as certain confectioneries, baked goods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical capsules (gelatin) — still require halal certification. Verify your ingredient list thoroughly.

Not understanding the Saudi Commercial Agency Law. Appointing a local agent without understanding the legal implications can lock you into a relationship that is expensive to exit. Always get legal counsel before signing agency agreements in Saudi Arabia.

Key Takeaways

• India exported $8.59 billion to Saudi Arabia in 2024-25 — vehicles ($1.6B), rice ($1.33B), and chemicals ($772M) lead
• Vision 2030 is creating massive new demand for construction materials, machinery, consumer goods, and food products
• The SABER conformity assessment system is mandatory — register products before shipping
• Halal certification is required for all food with animal-derived ingredients; Arabic labelling is mandatory for all consumer products
• The 50% remaining shelf life rule is strictly enforced for food products
• Saudi tariffs are generally low (5%) under the GCC Common External Tariff
• Shipping from Western India takes just 5-10 days — proximity is a competitive advantage
• Payment by LC is standard; the SAR-USD peg eliminates forex risk on dollar contracts

Next Steps

1. Identify your HS code with the HS Code Finder and check the Saudi tariff rate using the Duty Calculator
2. Register on the SABER platform (saber.sa) and obtain Product and Shipment Certificates of Conformity
3. Obtain halal certification from a Saudi-recognised Indian certification body if exporting food products
4. Prepare Arabic labels for consumer products before shipping
5. Use the Market Finder to identify which products India is shipping to Saudi Arabia and find opportunities tied to Vision 2030
6. Get ECGC insurance if your buyer requests open account or D/P terms

Saudi Arabia's economic transformation under Vision 2030 is creating the biggest wave of import demand the Kingdom has ever seen. Indian exporters who understand the regulatory framework — SABER, SFDA, halal — and can deliver quality products reliably are well-positioned to capture a growing share of this $8.6 billion trade relationship.

For related information, explore our HS code directory to find the exact tariff classification for your products, or browse country export guides for other major markets.