During Ramadan (usually lasting 30 days), customs clearance efficiency in Middle Eastern countries declines, local delivery timelines are extended, and with weekends falling on Friday and Saturday in some regions, coupled with shortened working hours due to religious activities, the risk of logistics delays increases significantly. Three key areas of preparation require focused attention:
1. Advance Stocking and Warehousing Layout
Ship core products to local warehouses in the Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Riyadh) at least 45–60 days in advance. Prioritize warehouse and distribution service providers that support "same-day/next-day delivery" to cover core markets including Saudi, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This helps avoid missing out on orders due to prolonged transportation cycles.
2. Optimized Transportation Solutions
Air freight is suitable for high-value, time-sensitive products (e.g., 3C electronics, light luxury accessories). Lock in airline cargo space in advance and avoid the peak transportation period during the first two weeks of Ramadan. For sea freight, allow a 20–30 day buffer period and select freight forwarders with rich customs clearance experience to ensure goods pass inspection smoothly at key ports such as JAFZA (UAE) and Dammam (Saudi Arabia).
3. Meeting Special Customs Clearance Requirements
Prepare complete documentation including Halal certificationand product qualification certificates, and ensure packaging contains no prohibited elements such as pork or alcohol. Countries like Saudi and Iran impose strict labeling requirements on imported goods: Arabic descriptions, ingredient lists, and origin information must be clearly marked in advance to prevent customs clearance delays.
Ontask Express focuses on the Saudi special line, providing customers with efficient and reliable Saudi cargo, with a focus on the Middle East region. With overseas warehouses in Jeddah and Riyadh, along with a self-managed Chinese delivery team, we empower Chinese products to go global and benefit all humanity!