Are you planning to import goods from Turkey to Saudi Arabia and looking for a clear answer to the question: “How much will shipping cost me?” You’re not alone. Shipping cost is the decisive factor that determines your profit margin as a trader—or whether a purchase is worth it as an individual.
In 2026, logistics prices have seen major changes due to fuel price fluctuations and new customs regulations in Saudi Arabia (like the Saber platform).
In this transparent article from Turk Marsal, we unveil the average shipping prices (land, sea, and air), and how you can calculate your shipping cost yourself before requesting a quote.
Golden Rule: There Is No “Fixed Price” — But There Is a “Fair Price”
Before talking numbers, you need to understand that shipping cost isn’t a fixed tag like a can of soda. It’s a live equation that changes based on 4 main factors:
- Weight and Volume – Are you shipping a 10 kg box or a 20-ton container?
- Service Type – Do you want it “tomorrow” (air freight) or “whenever it arrives” (sea freight)?
- Type of Goods – Clothes are cheaper to ship than chemicals or bulky furniture.
- Delivery Terms (Incoterms) – Does the price include delivery to your door (DDP) or only to the port (CIF)?
1. Estimated Air Freight Rates from Turkey to Saudi Arabia (Fastest Option)
Air freight is ideal for samples, high-value goods, or urgent shipments (3–5 business days).
Estimated average prices for 2026 (usually priced in tiers: the higher the weight, the lower the cost per kg):
- Small personal shipments (Min – 10 kg):
A minimum charge typically applies, ranging from $35 to $50 for the first kg, then drops for additional weight. - Medium commercial shipments (45 kg – 100 kg):
Estimated rate: $3.5 – $5.5 per kg - Large commercial shipments (500+ kg):
Rates may drop to $2.5 – $3.5 per kg, depending on airline and season.
💡 Money-Saving Tip: If your shipment is 40 kg, increase it to 45 kg to move into a cheaper pricing tier—you may pay less overall!
2. Sea Freight Rates (Best for Large Volumes)
Sea freight is the king of savings, especially for weights over 500 kg.
- FCL (Full Container Load):
Best option if you’re importing enough to fill a container.- 20-ft container (~30 CBM): Estimated cost: $1,200 – $1,800
- 40-ft container (~65 CBM): Estimated cost: $1,800 – $2,800
(Note: These rates are port-to-port and exclude customs clearance or inland transport.)
- LCL (Less than Container Load):
For large shipments that don’t fill a full container (e.g., 500 kg – 2 tons).
Estimated cost: $0.50 – $1.5 per kg, or equivalent per CBM.
3. Land Freight (The Sweet Spot Between Speed and Cost)
Due to geography, land freight is the “joker card” between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Duration: 10–14 days with moderate costs.
- FTL (Full Truck Load):
Whole truck for factories: $2,500 – $4,000, depending on destination city in Saudi Arabia. - Groupage (Shared Trucking):
Your shipment is grouped with others in one truck.
Estimated rate: $1.5 – $2.5 per kg for medium-sized shipments, often includes delivery to your warehouse.
Hidden Costs No One Tells You About!
Shipping cost is not the only expense. To avoid nasty surprises when your goods arrive, keep in mind:
- Saudi Customs Duties: 5% to 15% based on product type (check your HS Code).
- VAT (Value Added Tax): 15%, calculated on invoice value + shipping + customs.
- Saber Fees & Compliance: Consumer goods require PCoC & SCoC certificates, which may cost $150–$400 per product type.
- Port Storage Fees: Delays in clearance can lead to daily penalty fees from ports.
How to Calculate Volumetric Weight (Common Trap!)
Shipping companies charge based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight. If you’re shipping cotton or foam—light but bulky—you’ll pay for the space.
Formula:
Volumetric weight = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 5000
Example:
A box weighing 10 kg, dimensions 50×50×50 cm:
Volumetric weight = 125,000 ÷ 5000 = 25 kg
👉 You’ll be charged for 25 kg, not 10!
Solution? Turk Marsal’s Repacking Service—we compress your shipment and reduce box sizes, saving you up to 30% on cost.
Real Shipping Cost Examples (Case Studies)
Let’s look at real scenarios from Q1 2026 with Turk Marsal (prices are illustrative):
Scenario 1: Personal Shipment (Clothes & Shopping)
- Client: Sara from Riyadh
- Goods: Clothes from Trendyol & Zara
- Actual weight: 15 kg
- Box size: 60×50×40 cm
- Problem: Volumetric weight = 24 kg (9 kg more than actual!)
- Our Solution: We unpacked, vacuum-sealed, and repacked into a smaller box (40×40×30 cm)
- New volumetric weight: 9.6 kg
- ✅ Charged on actual weight (15 kg) instead of 24 kg
- Savings: About 40% off her air shipping cost.
Scenario 2: Commercial Shipment (Furniture & Carpets)
- Client: Hotel supply company in Jeddah
- Goods: Sofa set + carpets + chandeliers
- Weight: 850 kg
- Shipping Method: Land freight (LTL/Groupage)
- Challenge: Chandeliers are fragile, sofas need dust protection
- Our Action: Wooden crates for chandeliers, 3-layer wrap (bubble + cardboard + tape) for sofas
- Billing: Based on CBM instead of weight
- ✅ Final cost much lower than air freight, safe delivery in 12 days
Top 5 Mistakes That Can Double Your Shipping Bill (Avoid Them!)
Based on our experience, 90% of new importers fall into these traps:
- Shipping During Peak Season:
Shipping 10 days before Eid = higher prices + delays. Plan 1 month ahead. - Ignoring Certificate of Origin:
Missing this document means no customs discounts for Turkish goods. - Shipping “Air”:
Not requesting repacking = paying for empty space in factory boxes. - Incomplete Addresses:
Missing Saudi postal or national address codes = extra local delivery charges. - Not Knowing HS Code:
The wrong code can hit you with unexpected customs duties. (Our team helps you find the right one—free!)
Why Choose Turk Marsal for the Best Rates?
We don’t just give you a “shipping price”—we give you a logistics solution:
- Consolidation Service: Combine shipments from 5 different sources into one (pay base fees just once).
- All-Inclusive Rates: Get door-to-door quotes including clearance and VAT—know the exact final price in advance.
- Full Transparency: No hidden charges. What we agree on is what you pay.
FAQs
Q: What’s the cheapest way to ship 20 kg of clothes from Istanbul to Riyadh?
A: For this size, economy air freight or fast groupage land shipping is best. Contact us—we may have “free space” on a truck to offer you a discounted rate.
Q: Does the price include insurance?
A: Basic liability insurance is included. We recommend adding full insurance (1–2% of the goods’ value) to cover all damage/loss.
Q: Is the shipping cost different from Istanbul vs. Gaziantep or Bursa?
A: Yes, slightly—due to domestic transport. Our main warehouses are in Istanbul. If your goods are in Gaziantep, we add a small fee to transfer them to Istanbul for consolidation. For full truckloads, trucks go directly from the factory anywhere in Turkey to Saudi Arabia—no extra fee.
Q: How much does it cost to get a “Saber” certificate? Is it included in shipping?
A: Saber fees are separate Saudi government charges.
- PCoC (Product Certificate): Valid for 1 year, costs ~SAR 400–500 per product type.
- SCoC (Shipment Certificate): Per shipment, ~SAR 150
We assist with issuing them quickly and can bundle the cost into your final invoice.
Q: Are there extra charges for liquids or batteries?
A: Yes, these are classified as Dangerous Goods in air freight and require special packaging and a 10–20% surcharge. Land shipping is more flexible and cheaper for such items.
Q: What if my shipment arrives damaged?
A: Though rare, we’re ready. If you opted for full insurance, photograph the goods within 24 hours of receipt and contact customer support. You’ll be compensated based on the insured invoice. Our tip: Never skip wooden packaging for fragile items.
Q: Can I pay on delivery in Saudi Arabia?
A: For small personal shipments, Cash on Delivery (COD) for shipping fees is possible in some cases. But product cost must be prepaid to the supplier or via our purchasing agent service before shipping.
Want an Exact Quote Now?
The above prices are 2026 market averages and may change daily. Don’t guess—
[send us your shipment details (weight & type) on WhatsApp now]
and our team will respond with an accurate, detailed quote within minutes!