How Far in Advance Should I Book Air Freight to Saudi?

How Far in Advance Should I Book Air Freight to Saudi?

12 Sep, 2025

Will the booking and transportation process affect the delivery time of the goods? Booking and transportation processes directly impact cargo transit times. It is essential to select the right partners based on cargo requirements and plan the schedule carefully while confirming all necessary information.

Choice of Airlines and Freight Forwarders

Major Airlines: Common options include Saudi Airlines (SV), Emirates (EK), and Qatar Airways (QR). Direct flights primarily serve the three major airports: Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), and Dammam (DMM), ensuring more reliable transit times.

Freight Forwarder Qualifications: Prioritize forwarders with top-tier agent credentials and Saudi Customs AEO certification. Such forwarders can provide DDP terms and pre-clearance support, effectively coordinating various stages of the process and reducing transportation risks.

Booking Process and Timeline Planning

Timeline Planning: For standard cargo, booking should be made 3-5 days in advance. During peak seasons like Q4 or special periods such as Ramadan, when space is tight, it is advisable to secure resources 7-10 days ahead. For urgent shipments, "Priority Handling" services can be chosen to reduce loading time to within 24 hours, meeting tight deadlines.

Information Confirmation: When booking, accurate cargo details must be provided, including gross weight (precise to 0.1 kg), dimensions (length × width × height, precise to 1 cm), piece count, and pallet size (if applicable). Special requirements, such as temperature control (18-25°C) or hazardous goods transportation (DGD declaration must be submitted 48 hours in advance), should also be clearly communicated to ensure the airline arranges transportation accordingly.

Ontask Express has specialized in Saudi door to door one-stop services for 20 years. We are fully certified and ensure hassle-free customs clearance. With overseas warehouses and self-managed Chinese delivery teams based in Jeddah and Riyadh, we offer e-commerce-friendly logistics without appointment requirements. Our safe and reliable logistics solutions empower your business growth in Saudi Arabia.

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