Duty rates, 15% VAT, HS codes and ZATCA rules — calculate your true landed cost before you price your products for the Saudi market.
Seller guide
Practical guidance for building and operating an e-commerce business in Saudi Arabia.
Updated Aug 20, 2026
All seller guidesSaudi customs charges are calculated on the CIF value of your shipment — the Cost of goods, plus Insurance, plus Freight to the Saudi port. Both customs duty and VAT are based on this value, which means your shipping cost increases your tax base.
ZATCA (the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority) administers both customs and VAT. All imports are declared electronically, and documentation mismatches are the main cause of holds and revaluations.
Saudi Arabia applies GCC common external tariffs. Many consumer goods carry 5–15% duty, but rates vary widely by HS code, and some categories (like certain foodstuffs or protective tariffs on local industries) are higher. A small HS code misclassification can change your duty rate dramatically.
| Category (indicative) | Typical duty rate | VAT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics & accessories | 0–5% | 15% | Often low duty; still needs SABER |
| Clothing & textiles | 5–12% | 15% | Arabic labelling required |
| Cosmetics & personal care | 5–10% | 15% | SFDA registration also needed |
| Toys | 10–15% | 15% | GSO conformity certificate required |
Your true landed cost per unit is: product cost + international freight + insurance + customs duty + 15% VAT + local handling and delivery. VAT on imports is recoverable for VAT-registered businesses, but it still affects your cash flow at clearance time.
A simple rule of thumb many sellers use: take your CIF cost, add 20–35% to cover duty, VAT timing and local handling, and you have a realistic landed-cost estimate to build your pricing on.
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin, SABER certificates for regulated products, and your importer details. Every document must match — quantities, values, HS codes and product descriptions — or clearance stalls.
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