Saudia Cargo

Airline profile

Saudia Cargo is the national cargo airline of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the cargo arm of the Saudia group, headquartered in Jeddah, with King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) as its main hub and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and Dammam King Fahd International Airport (DMM) as secondary hubs. It is a member of the SkyTeam Cargo alliance.

Saudia Cargo's IATA two-letter code is SV, its ICAO three-letter code is SVA, its radio call sign is SAUDIA and its air waybill prefix is 065. The official cargo website is saudiacargo.com. The airline has a leading cargo network in the Middle East, connecting more than 90 destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

The freighter fleet consists of Boeing 747-400ERF, Boeing 747-400BCF, Boeing 777F and Airbus A330-300P2F aircraft, ten freighters in total. In 2026 the company signed an agreement with Boeing for four additional Boeing 777F freighters, the first to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026. The widebody freighter fleet gives Chinese exports ample capacity for nonstop service to Saudi Arabia.

For Chinese shippers, Saudia Cargo is one of few Middle East national cargo carriers with dedicated freighter routes into China. It has opened cargo services from Shenzhen Bao'an, Guangzhou Baiyun and Hong Kong International Airport, so Chinese exports can fly nonstop from South China to Jeddah and then distribute through the Saudi hub to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Saudia Cargo has strategic partnerships with Chinese e-commerce logistics companies such as Cainiao to serve cross-border e-commerce exports from China.

China contacts and sales handling

Saudia Cargo has a cargo sales presence in China and runs a China website at china.saudiacargo.com. It has cargo stations in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong that accept bookings for Chinese exports.

Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) can book Saudia Cargo freighter and belly capacity for Chinese shippers and arrange consolidation within China. For further help, contact details are on goodhope86.com.

Aircraft types and payload

The Saudia Cargo operation combines freighters and passenger belly capacity. Freighters fly the trunk routes from China to Saudi Arabia, and passenger belly capacity adds lift toward South and East China.

Besides the freighters, belly capacity on Saudia Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 passenger aircraft also carries cargo on China routes. The Guangzhou to Jeddah service runs six times a week, and the Shanghai to Jeddah and Dammam to Beijing services offer belly capacity. Actual schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.

Airport handling in China

Saudia Cargo has opened cargo services at several Chinese airports, on both freighter and passenger belly routes.

The Shenzhen freighter route is Saudia Cargo's strategic route into the South China e-commerce market, run with Chinese e-commerce logistics companies such as Cainiao. Guangzhou has six passenger flights a week, B787 aircraft to Jeddah and Riyadh. Beijing is served from Dammam with B787 aircraft. Actual schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.

Coverage from China

Cargo from China flies nonstop from Shenzhen, Guangzhou or Hong Kong to Jeddah or Riyadh, then connects through the Saudia Cargo network in the following directions.

Saudia Cargo uses Jeddah and Riyadh as twin hubs to distribute Chinese cargo to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Oceania. The SkyTeam Cargo alliance network extends reach further into major cargo markets. Actual schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.

Advantages for cargo from China to the Middle East and beyond

For shipments from China to the Middle East, Africa and Europe, the Saudi hubs and freighter fleet give Saudia Cargo the following clear advantages.

Cargo products and services

Saudia Cargo offers the following products for cargo exported from China on nonstop service to Saudi Arabia.

E-commerce cargo

Saudia Cargo is a leading e-commerce carrier in the Middle East and works with Chinese e-commerce logistics companies such as Cainiao. The Shenzhen freighter route carries cross-border e-commerce exports and serves orders from China to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Dangerous goods and pharmaceuticals

Common dangerous goods are accepted under the IATA DGR rules, and pharmaceutical and temperature-controlled carriage is available. Pharmaceutical products and temperature-controlled cargo from China can distribute to the Middle East and Africa through the Jeddah hub.

Perishables and high-value cargo

Perishable cargo, valuables, live animals and humanitarian relief supplies are accepted. High-value electronics and perishables from China get priority handling.

Mail

Saudia Cargo provides air mail carriage, connecting postal networks in China with Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.

Actual schedules for these services change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.

Booking path and process

Saudia Cargo has a cargo sales presence in China, and Chinese shippers can book through Goodhope Freight. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) offers the following path.

Network map: from China to the Middle East and beyond

The diagram shows Chinese exports flying nonstop from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to Jeddah and Riyadh, then distributing to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Commodity types and handling points for Middle East and global destinations

Trade between China and Saudi Arabia is close and China is an important source of Saudi imports. Cargo exported from China on Saudia Cargo freighters and belly capacity concentrates in the following categories.

Cross-border e-commerce cargo

The Shenzhen freighter route is Saudia Cargo's strategic route for Chinese cross-border e-commerce. 3C accessories, apparel, household goods and consumer electronics from China fly nonstop from Shenzhen to Jeddah and then distribute to e-commerce markets in the Middle East and Africa. The strategic partnership with Cainiao further shortens last-mile times.

Machinery, electrical and building products

Saudi Vision 2030 is driving infrastructure and tourism projects; Chinese building materials, machinery and electrical equipment, power equipment and small construction machinery distribute from Jeddah and Riyadh to project sites across the country.

High-value and time-critical cargo

High-value electronics, pharmaceuticals and perishables from China can use priority freighter capacity and distribute to the Middle East and Africa through the Saudi hub.

Jeddah JED transfer and ground connections

Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) lies on the Red Sea coast in western Saudi Arabia and is Saudia Cargo's main cargo hub. Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH), in central Saudi Arabia, is the operating hub for Riyadh routes and the Australia direction. Chinese exports clear customs and distribute globally at the Saudi cargo terminals after arriving at either airport.

Cargo terminal and ground handler

Saudia Cargo runs its own cargo terminals at JED and RUH, handling acceptance, depalletizing, customs-bonded storage and global distribution for freighter and belly cargo. Saudi Arabia is a Gulf Cooperation Council member, so cargo cleared in Saudi Arabia can circulate within the GCC.

Customs clearance and documentation

Cargo exported from China to Saudi Arabia must be accompanied by a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, certified by the Saudi embassy in China. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) applies conformity certification to imported products, and Chinese exporters must complete the relevant registration before shipment. Machinery and electrical products, building materials and food must meet Saudi market access standards.

Onward distribution

After clearance, Saudia Cargo can forward cargo by freighter and belly capacity to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Oceania. The Riyadh to Melbourne route links Chinese cargo with the Australian market. Last-mile delivery within Saudi Arabia is handled by local ground agents.

Choosing a routing

Many routings compete for cargo from China to the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and the Saudi hub has clear value in the following situations.

South China cross-border e-commerce exports

The Shenzhen freighter route is Saudia Cargo's strategic route for the Chinese e-commerce market. 3C accessories, apparel and household goods from China fly nonstop from Shenzhen to Jeddah without transiting another Middle East hub, giving better transit time than the traditional Dubai routing. The strategic partnership with Cainiao further secures steady capacity for e-commerce cargo.

Saudi Vision 2030 project materials

Saudi Vision 2030 is driving the NEOM new city, Red Sea tourism projects and Riyadh infrastructure. Chinese building materials, machinery and electrical equipment, power equipment and small construction machinery clear at Jeddah and Riyadh and go directly to project sites.

Onward to Africa and Europe

The Jeddah hub's location lets Chinese cargo forward to major African cities such as Cairo, Lagos and Johannesburg and to major European cargo hubs. One booking covers the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited can plan an end-to-end routing of nonstop South China freighter plus Saudi hub distribution against the shipper's cargo parameters and destination. Chinese shippers do not need to appoint a Saudi agent themselves; Goodhope Freight covers the whole chain from the Chinese gateway to the overseas consignee.

Import market structure and Chinese cargo flows

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest economies in the Middle East, heavily dependent on oil exports, with a thin manufacturing and agricultural base, so consumer goods, building materials, machinery and electrical products and food are heavily imported. China is an important source of Saudi imports, and Chinese goods span Saudi retail, infrastructure and oil services.

Main categories exported from China to Saudi Arabia

Chinese consumer electronics, home appliances, apparel, plastic products, building materials, steel, hardware tools, auto parts and solar products hold steady shares of the Saudi market. The non-oil economic transition and tourism projects under Saudi Vision 2030 have further lifted Saudi import demand for Chinese building materials and machinery and electrical products.

Cross-border e-commerce exports

Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the Middle East. Saudia Cargo works with Chinese e-commerce logistics companies such as Cainiao, and the Shenzhen freighter route carries cross-border e-commerce exports for consumers in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle East countries. 3C accessories, household goods and apparel from China fly nonstop from Shenzhen to Jeddah and then distribute.

Oil services and industrial supplies

The Saudi oil and petrochemical industry needs large volumes of Chinese industrial valves, pipe fittings, instruments and maintenance spares. Such cargo is high in value and time-sensitive, and suits nonstop carriage on Saudia Cargo freighters.

Services and capability

Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air cargo from China to the Middle East. For Saudi Arabia it offers Chinese shippers the following services.

Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration

Chinese shippers can deliver at major gateways such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai, and Goodhope Freight handles consolidation, export declaration and Saudia Cargo booking. For South China e-commerce cargo, Goodhope Freight can consolidate locally in Shenzhen and load directly.

Dangerous goods and compliance pre-check

The Saudi standards authority applies strict conformity certification to imports. Before booking, Goodhope Freight helps Chinese shippers confirm SASO certification and embassy legalization documents, avoiding return of cargo for incomplete paperwork on arrival. Dangerous goods such as lithium battery products are checked against IATA DGR packing rules in advance.

Arrival tracking and global distribution

Goodhope Freight tracks air waybill status from departure in China. On arrival at Jeddah or Riyadh it helps arrange clearance and global distribution. If Saudi customs policy or carrier capacity changes, Goodhope Freight notifies the shipper promptly and adjusts the plan.

Export documents and compliance

Shippers using Saudia Cargo must attach a commercial invoice, packing list and air waybill. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) applies conformity certification to imported products, and Chinese exporters must complete product registration before shipment. The commercial invoice and packing list must be legalized by the Saudi embassy in China, otherwise cargo cannot clear on arrival.

Saudi Arabia has specific market access requirements for food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and plants and animals. Shippers of these categories must confirm the Saudi permits in advance. Consumer electronics containing lithium batteries must be packed under the IATA DGR rules and declared accurately at booking.

For Chinese exporters supplying Saudi Arabia regularly, Goodhope Freight can sign an annual cargo agreement fixing freighter capacity and rates from Shenzhen or Guangzhou, reducing the effect of seasonal swings on shipping plans. The four new Boeing 777F freighters on order will be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2026, adding capacity toward China. Latest rates, capacity and handling guidance are on the Goodhope Freight website, and cargo advisers can build a custom plan.

Economic and trade ties between China and Saudi Arabia keep deepening, and China is an important partner in the non-oil transition under Saudi Vision 2030. As the Saudi national cargo airline, Saudia Cargo is a backbone of the air logistics corridor linking China with the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Goodhope Freight combines South China freighter nonstops with Saudi hub distribution against destination and time requirements, giving a trackable one-stop cargo plan. Latest rates, capacity and handling guidance are on the Goodhope Freight website, and cargo advisers can be contacted directly. Actual schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.