Shipping Company from Riyadh to the UAE | 0568829975 ◈ Road Freight, Furniture Moving and Car Shipping to Dubai

Al Rahwan is a shipping company from Riyadh to the UAE that moves furniture, cars, boxes and goods by road on lorries, via Al Ahsa to the Batha crossing opposite Ghuwaifat, so your shipment reaches Dubai or Abu Dhabi within two to three days of collection, while urgent items arrive by air in 24 to 48 hours. Costs start from SAR 140 for a box of no more than 20 kg, from SAR 1,300 for the furniture of a single room and from SAR 1,100 for a saloon car on a shared carrier. Call 0568829975 and send photos of your shipment and the name of your Riyadh district for an itemised quote.

We wrote this page for people based in Riyadh in particular: what happens from the moment you contact us until the other party receives in the UAE, which districts we cover, how furniture is prepared in villas and large compounds, and what applies to your car if it is going from Riyadh to Dubai. If you are in another city, you will find a guide covering the whole Kingdom in our general article on shipping from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.

The Road from Riyadh to the UAE: Distances and Times

Al Rahwan lorries leave Riyadh heading east towards Al Ahsa, then south-east to the Batha crossing, the only land crossing between the Kingdom and the UAE, which faces the Ghuwaifat crossing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Beyond Ghuwaifat the road branches to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and the rest of the Emirates.

Add between half an hour and two hours at the border to the driving time. That is why we do not promise delivery to the hour. Instead we give you a window of one to two days, then update you directly once the crossing is cleared.

When Does the Transit Time Start and End?

When Al Rahwan gives you a transit time, it is counted from the moment your shipment is loaded in Riyadh until it is delivered to the address in the UAE, not from the day you first call. If your move is furniture that needs a day for packing and a day for loading, add those two days to the road time. On shared freight your goods may be collected on one date and the load may set off a day or two later once the lorry is full, so we give you the collection date and the departure date separately, and you never have to plan your arrival in the UAE around a single vague figure.

If part of your shipment is urgent, split the order: send the first-week suitcase or the documents by air, and the furniture and larger boxes by road, and Al Rahwan will price each part separately. Keep original documents, personal medicines and jewellery with you while you travel, and do not tie the date you move into your new home in Dubai or Abu Dhabi to the arrival of the last item until you have confirmed the delivery window with the booking team.

What Happens to Your Shipment After It Leaves Riyadh

A shipment does not always stay on the same lorry the whole way. Some shared trips stop at a warehouse in Al Ahsa to redistribute the load according to each shipment’s destination, then continue to the Batha crossing. At this stage each shipment has its customs data prepared, then the lorry enters the processing area, where the paperwork is reviewed and some boxes may be inspected. After Ghuwaifat the lorries split up: some head for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, others for Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Through these stages we send you short updates at collection, at exit, at entry and at distribution, so you never need to call to ask.

Riyadh Districts We Collect From

Riyadh is a vast city, and reaching a northern district is different from reaching a southern one in terms of road congestion and the hours lorries are allowed in. We plan each collection around the district and set an entry time that does not hold up your neighbours.

How Collection Differs Between North and South Riyadh

North Riyadh has many large villas and gated compounds, and the lorry often needs prior permission from the compound management and set hours for entry. We arrange this with you the day before, and send the driver’s name and the lorry’s number so it gets in without delay. In the centre of the city the buildings are taller and the traffic heavier, so we book the lift and choose a time outside peak hours.

In the east and south, shipments are more commercial and the streets are wider, so large lorries get in easily. In the west the internal streets are narrower, so we send a smaller vehicle to carry items out to the main lorry at the edge of the district, a method that keeps the size of the move intact without disturbing residents.

Shipping Prices from Riyadh to the UAE

How much does shipping from Riyadh to the UAE cost? Al Rahwan prices on this route start from SAR 110 for a parcel weighing up to 5 kg, SAR 140 for a box up to 20 kg, SAR 1,300 for a room of furniture, SAR 1,100 for a saloon car on a shared carrier and SAR 740 for a commercial pallet. These are the starting figures for Riyadh and they change with the details, which is why we send an itemised quote showing what is for transport and what is for packing and extra services.

Worked Examples from Riyadh Bookings

Example one: a student moving from Al Malaz to Sharjah has 4 boxes of about 18 kg each. The weight of each box puts it in the “up to 20 kg” bracket, priced from SAR 140, so the whole shipment starts from SAR 560, provided the volumetric weight of each box does not exceed 20 kg. For larger quantities Al Rahwan compares pricing per box with pricing per kilo, which starts from SAR 9, and uses whichever works out cheaper for you.

Example two: a family in Al Narjis is moving the furniture of a full flat and a 4×4 to Abu Dhabi. The flat starts from SAR 4,100 and the 4×4 on a shared carrier from SAR 1,400, so the whole order starts from SAR 5,500 before any extras you request, such as storage or insurance.

Example three: an online shop in As Sulay ships 3 pallets a week to Dubai. A pallet starts from SAR 740, so each batch starts from SAR 2,220. Once a batch reaches 4 pallets or more, a 20-foot container, which starts from SAR 2,300, becomes cheaper than separate pallets, and that is what Al Rahwan suggests as the shop grows.

What Is Included and What Is Extra

An Al Rahwan quote states whether delivery is to the door or to a warehouse in the city, and whether it covers dismantling, packing, loading and reassembly. Customs duty and tax on commercial goods, optional insurance, a crane for large items and storage are not automatically part of the starting prices, and are added as separate lines if you ask for them. The final invoice is based on the actual shipment and the services you approve, not on the name of a room or the number of boxes alone.

• Size after packing: a large, light sofa can take up more space than several heavy boxes.
• Type of protection: glass, marble and glossy wood need more material than clothes and books.
• Shared or dedicated: booking part of a lorry costs less than booking the whole of it.
• Building conditions: the floor, the lift, where the lorry can park and how far it is from the entrance.
• A final list and a flexible date: both let us put you on the nearest shared trip.

To compare companies fairly, send each one the same list and the same two addresses, and compare the total to the same delivery point. A low transport price does not stay low once packing, carrying and delivery are added later. And do not compare a space on a shared car carrier with a dedicated flatbed as if they were the same service.

Moving Home Furniture from Riyadh to the UAE

Most furniture moves in Riyadh come from villas and northern compounds, where there are many rooms and annexes. In our experience, what holds a move up most is not the shipping itself but the preparation: cupboards not emptied, and no decision on what goes and what is sold. So we start with a walk-through the day before loading, then pack on the first day and load on the second where needed.

For an accurate furniture quote, photograph the large pieces in full, show the glass, the delicate surfaces and the parts that need dismantling, and send measurements for unusual items such as a corner sofa, a large dining table or a wardrobe that is hard to take apart. Tell Al Rahwan exactly what you want: dismantling, packing and loading only, reassembly in the UAE, or delivery to a warehouse. That puts everything into one quote instead of discovering a missing service after arrival.

Getting Your Riyadh Home Ready to Move: The Stages

A home move from Riyadh to the UAE passes through a set sequence of stations with us, and each one hands the next a finished job, since anything skipped early on shows up when the lorry is unloaded in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Our team visits your home in your Riyadh district and goes through the rooms one by one; if you are travelling or busy, filming the rooms on your phone and sending the clips over WhatsApp is enough. That survey tells us how many pieces we are moving and how big they are, so we bring the right number of workers and enough boxes, blankets and plastic wrap, and pick a loading hour that suits your street and the entrance of your building or compound so the lorry does not stand in the residents’ way.

• Dismantling: we break bedroom sets and fixed wardrobes down into panels, and put the screws and hinges into small bags marked with the piece number.
• Protection: we dress wood in thick moving blankets, fit cardboard guards on edges and corners, and wrap glass and mirrors in several layers.
• Appliances: we lock the washing machine drum so it does not rattle on the road, and empty the fridge and leave it open until it is completely dry before it goes onto the lorry.
• Loading: inside the lorry the heaviest items form the base of the load with the lighter ones stacked above, and each row is strapped down so nothing shifts on the Al Ahsa road.
• Delivery and assembly: on arrival each piece goes to the room you choose, and whatever we took apart in Riyadh is put back together if you ask.

How Each Piece Is Prepared Before Loading

Dismantling, Reassembly and Delivery Inside the Home

Tell us how many floors there are at your Riyadh home and at the delivery address, whether there is a lift and how big it is, and whether parking near the door is difficult. A piece wider than the door or the lift must be measured before moving day, not on it, as it may need extra dismantling or lowering from a balcony by rope or crane. Made-to-measure or wall-fixed furniture, such as kitchen units and built-in dressing rooms, needs a survey of how it comes apart and goes back together, and is not treated like a free-standing piece.

The fittings of each piece go into a numbered bag that carries the same number, and any earlier scratches or breaks are recorded in photos before packing. On arrival, matching the numbers with the inventory lets the crew unload each piece straight into its room, and if assembly is part of the agreement, decide in advance where each piece goes so there is less moving around. In the UAE, the Al Rahwan service on arrival includes delivery, placing and assembly, not just unloading at the door.

Moving a Villa from Riyadh: What You Should Know

A villa usually means an annexe, a garden, a driver’s room and a small storeroom, and all of it counts towards the volume. The first question we ask is whether you are moving everything or a selection of furniture. Many families leave the big living-room furniture behind and buy new in the UAE, saving the cost and risk of moving it. If you decide to take it, we estimate the exact number of pieces from photos, book a lorry to match the volume, and spread the crew across the floors so loading finishes in a reasonable time.

• A week before: decide what moves, what is sold and what is given away, and tell us about any heavy pieces.
• Two days before: empty the cupboards and drawers, and clean and dry the appliances.
• The day before: prepare important papers and jewellery and keep them with you.
• Loading day: the inventory is taken in front of you and you sign the list of items.
• Delivery day: items are carried into the right rooms and anything dismantled is reassembled.

Packing Shipments and Delicate Items

Proper packing deals with three risks on a road of more than 1,000 km: friction, pressure and movement inside the box. That is why Al Rahwan does not wrap every item in the same material. A box of clothes needs strong tape and a bag against damp, while a box of glass or a delicate appliance needs dividers, filling for the empty space and corner protectors. When you book, say what you will pack yourself and what you want the crew to prepare, and photograph the boxes you packed before closing them, because liability for a box you packed yourself differs from one packed by the crew.

Number the boxes and write a short description on each that matches the packing list, such as “Kitchen, pans, 3 of 12”, and do not show more personal details on the outside than delivery needs. A “Fragile” label tells the crew what is inside, but it is no substitute for packing that stops the contents moving. And do not load a box beyond what it can take, because a sturdy outer box is what keeps the whole load in order.

Screens, Marble, Mirrors and Chandeliers

Protecting each item starts with knowing its weak point. A screen is damaged by any pressure on the panel, so it travels in the manufacturer’s box if that is still sound, or otherwise in substitute protection that does not touch the front, with its stand and accessories in a labelled bag. Marble needs support under its edges and a wooden crate for large tops, because a marble slab can snap in the middle if it is carried by its ends. Large mirrors travel upright between two sheets of reinforced board. Chandeliers have their crystals taken off and kept in numbered sets, and the frame is held inside a crate that stops it shaking.

When you ask for a quote, send a full photo of the delicate item, a close-up of its weak points and any existing damage, so its preparation is priced from the start instead of being re-quoted on loading day. For high-value items, state their value and ask about insurance before shipping.

Moving Offices and Company Equipment from Riyadh to the UAE

Moving an office from Al Olaya or King Fahd Road to new premises in Dubai or Abu Dhabi combines three kinds of content: furniture, equipment and files, and each needs its own way of being listed and packed. Al Rahwan starts by dividing the contents into workstations, tables, cabinets, archives and IT equipment, then links each group to the department or room it will go to in the new office, so that identical-looking boxes never arrive without a clear destination. The price of an office move is set after a free survey, because a single desk is very different from a whole office with its servers and archives.

• Each desk is given a number, and its tools and accessories go into a box with the same number.
• Drawer keys, screws and legs go into labelled bags, and the fittings of different desks are never mixed.
• Archive boxes are numbered by department, and the company contact keeps the detailed contents list.
• Equipment that stays in use until the last moment is identified and given its own preparation slot.
• A room layout showing where each desk goes is prepared before delivery day.

Archives, IT Equipment and Servers

Confidential archives and media holding sensitive data need internal arrangements at the company: naming who is allowed to pack them, sealing the boxes and checking the count on delivery. A short outside label such as “Finance archive 2 of 6” is enough, without revealing the contents, while the detailed list stays with the person responsible. Computers and storage units are backed up, disconnected and have their cables recorded by the company’s own specialist before the crew packs them. Moving and packing do not include setting up the network or restarting systems, and equipment with moving parts is secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If delivery is to a company office or a warehouse, give the name of the person receiving it, the hours vehicles may enter and the unloading point, and make sure there is a service lift or suitable lifting equipment, so that a lorry never arrives somewhere it cannot be unloaded. Delivery can also be split into batches as each department is ready, if this is stated in the order.

Embassies, Consulates and Their Staff

Al Rahwan coordinates the move of furniture, equipment and parcels for embassy and consulate premises and their staff from the Diplomatic Quarter and other Riyadh districts to the UAE. Each employee’s personal belongings are kept separate from the office furniture and the mission’s equipment, there is a separate inventory for each employee or department, and the person authorised to sign at collection and delivery is named, along with vehicle entry times. If the employer is paying, state the invoicing details required and whether the employee’s quote is separate from the premises quote. Any exemption or special procedure depends on the nature of the shipment, its documents and the approval of the relevant authority; the name of a diplomatic mission alone does not mean an automatic exemption.

Car Shipping from Riyadh to Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Riyadh cars gather in dedicated yards before being loaded onto carriers, and from there set off for Al Ahsa and then Batha. Al Rahwan collects your car from your door, your workplace or a car showroom in Riyadh, and after loading the car is recorded in photographs and the journey begins.

To price a car shipment we need the make, the model, whether it runs, the collection point and the destination city. Mention whether the car is lowered or has modified dimensions, as that decides the angle at which it can go up onto the carrier. The difference between shared, flatbed and enclosed options is what explains the spread of prices, so do not compare a space on a shared carrier with a flatbed booked for your car alone.

Al Rahwan car shipping prices start from these amounts in riyals. Moving a car from Riyadh to Dubai takes 3 to 5 days depending on when the carrier fills, and your car goes ahead in the queue if you choose an open flatbed.

Shipping Your Car: The Steps in Detail

1. Send us the car details: make, model, plate number and drive type.
2. Settle on the right carrier, shared, flatbed or enclosed, according to what you want to spend, when the car must arrive and how much protection it needs.
3. Fix the handover day and hour, either outside your home in Riyadh or at the collection yard closest to your district.
4. The car is examined in front of you, every side is photographed and the odometer figure is noted down.
5. The car is tied onto the truck with straps that grip the chassis, and a protective cover goes over it.
6. The truck drives to the Batha crossing, where the transit paperwork is finished.
7. You receive the car in the UAE after going over it with us and comparing it with the Riyadh photos.

If your family has two or more cars leaving Riyadh, ask for them to travel on the same trip; that way each car carries a smaller share of the cost. Cars that do not run are loaded in a special way using lifting equipment, and we tell you about any difference in price before you book.

Preparing and Documenting the Car Before Handover

• Photograph all four sides of the car, the roof, the interior and the dashboard before handover.
• Record existing scratches and the accessories handed over with it, such as the spare key and the spare wheel.
• Report any fault, oil or water leak, or anything that stops it being moved.
• Empty the car of personal belongings; nothing may travel inside it that is not described in the order.
• Leave only a little fuel in the tank, enough for loading and unloading.
• Name the person authorised to hand it over in Riyadh and to receive it in the UAE.

A car that does not run needs extra details: the type of fault, whether the wheels turn and whether it can be steered, as that decides how it is lifted onto the carrier. The purpose of the move also matters: taking a car to the UAE for temporary use differs from exporting it permanently and registering it there, and each has its own documents and fees. Tell Al Rahwan the purpose from the start so the requirements can be checked with the relevant authority before loading, rather than finding a missing paper at the Batha crossing.

Boxes and Personal Belongings from Riyadh

Many Al Rahwan customers in Riyadh do not want to move furniture, just a set of boxes and bags for relatives or a new job in the UAE. These are the most flexible shipments: we collect from your home or you drop them at our warehouse, and they travel on a shared trip, so the price is lower.

• Send us photos of the boxes or their approximate weights so we can estimate the price.
• Use strong boxes made for shipping, and do not rely on worn-out boxes from old appliances.
• Put a list of contents inside each box and another on the outside.
• Avoid filling a box beyond 25 kg so it is easy to carry.
• Write the recipient’s name and mobile number clearly.

A small parcel needs details as precise as a large shipment: the number of boxes, the weight of each, its dimensions after packing, the contents list and the delivery city. Say whether they are personal belongings, samples or goods for sale, because the look of a box does not show why it is being shipped, and goods meant for sale are treated as commercial goods at customs.

Spread books and heavy items across small boxes that will not collapse when lifted, keep breakable items apart with padding inside, and do not mix liquids or perfumes with clothes without declaring them. When sending several parcels, number them in sequence from “1 of 5” to “5 of 5” and tell the recipient how many to expect, which makes checking the shipment on delivery much quicker.

Shipping Suitcases and Personal Belongings

A suitcase up to 30 kg starts from SAR 230 with Al Rahwan. A suitcase needs protection for its wheels, handles and zip, and locking it is not enough to make it ready to travel, so its outer shell is wrapped in a protective layer. Send a photo once it is packed so we can decide on the protection needed, and declare any batteries, perfumes or liquids inside, because putting them in a suitcase does not change the conditions for accepting them.

Commercial Shipping from Riyadh

Riyadh is home to the warehouses of traders and distributors and many factories, and shipments to the UAE leave from here every day. Al Rahwan serves online stores, spare-parts importers, wholesalers and small factories in As Sulay, the Second Industrial City and elsewhere, with arrangements to suit each one’s volume.

Send Al Rahwan a description of the products, their quantities, the number of packages, and their weights and dimensions after packing, and say whether anything can be stacked on top of the pallet or whether it is sensitive to pressure. If the goods are already on pallets, photograph them from the side and from above and show the base; if they are not packed yet, send the product details and the number of units so we can arrange the preparation. The packing list, the invoice and the actual quantity must match, because any difference between them stops the shipment at Batha.

Shared Freight or a Full Truck?

A pallet that cannot have anything stacked on it may take up more space than its weight suggests, so record its dimensions including packing and any overhang, and photograph its base and the forklift entry points. If the receiving warehouse in the UAE has no unloading equipment, say so when you book: loading and unloading are part of the plan, not a detail to leave until the lorry arrives.

How Customs Clearance Works at the Border

A shipment leaving Riyadh on Al Rahwan trucks crosses the border in two steps: exit clearance at the Batha crossing, then entry clearance on the Emirati side. On the Saudi side, commercial goods are recorded on Fasah, the platform run by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and their details are reviewed and compared with the commercial invoice and packing list. Once the truck is across, entry is completed at the Ghuwaifat crossing, and a shipment bound for Dubai has its details entered in Mirsal 2, the electronic system of Dubai Customs.

Personal household items such as furniture and cartons go through simpler steps than commercial goods, although a border officer may ask for one or more cartons to be opened to see what is inside. So in Riyadh we close the cartons in a way that lets them be opened and taped shut again easily, and we stick a sheet listing the contents on the side of each one, so the inspection takes minutes instead of dragging on.

Having a well-known crossing does not make every shipment’s procedure the same: personal furniture is different from goods for sale, a car or an industrial machine. So Al Rahwan starts with a description of the contents and the purpose of the shipment, then reviews the paperwork, the broker’s scope of work and any fees, and does not promise instant clearance or a blanket exemption just because of the name of the crossing. Used furniture is not exempt simply because it is used; any exemption depends on the nature of the shipment, its documents and the regulations in force at the time of shipping. The Ghuwaifat crossing falls under Abu Dhabi Customs, and you can refer to it and to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for official questions.

Keep a packing list that genuinely matches the shipment, and report any change in quantity before loading. If you add boxes or an appliance after the quote has been issued, the description and the weight must be updated. Accuracy matters more than brevity here: a description such as “assorted items” makes the inspection longer, not shorter.

Shops and Small Businesses in Riyadh: Shipping to Your Customers in the UAE

Plenty of online shops in Riyadh sell to customers in the UAE. The biggest challenge is to batch orders into one or two shipments a week rather than sending each order on its own, and to prepare a correct commercial invoice for every batch. We work with your shop to make shipping routine: a fixed collection day from your warehouse, standard packaging, a ready packing list, and delivery either to a UAE warehouse or straight to your customers.

For small businesses that ship once or twice a month, we suggest a shared consignment by pallet or by kilo, so you are not paying for a dedicated truck you do not need.

Preparing Orders for Shops and Distributors

Keep the commercial order number separate from the parcel number, and attach a list linking each item to its quantity and its package. If the goods are going to more than one recipient, in Dubai and Sharjah for example, say so before loading instead of putting several addresses inside a load priced for a single drop. Matching the packing list with the invoice and the item description makes the paperwork easier to check, and proves what was delivered to each customer if they ask about it later.

Shipping Equipment, Machinery and Large Loads

Equipment is not priced on weight alone. Al Rahwan needs its weight and dimensions as it will travel, photos, what it is used for and its condition, along with any moving or dismantled parts, the lifting points and the manufacturer’s instructions if available. A small machine on a wooden skid can be loaded by forklift in minutes, while a heavy machine from a factory in Riyadh’s Second Industrial City may need a large crane and a lowbed trailer. That is why equipment is priced after a free survey, and it is agreed in advance who prepares, secures, loads and unloads it.

Declare any fuel, oil or batteries inside the equipment, and do not drain it or change how it is set up based on general advice; check the right handling instructions for its condition with specialists before the job. In the UAE, give the exact delivery site: a factory in Sharjah’s industrial area, a project in Abu Dhabi or a warehouse in Jebel Ali, as each site has different entry times and unloading equipment.

Air Freight from Riyadh to the UAE

Air shipments leave from King Khalid International Airport, and most reach Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports within 24 to 48 hours. Al Rahwan uses it for important documents, samples and small appliances. The price is based on chargeable weight: we multiply length by width by height in centimetres and divide the result by 6000, then compare that with the actual weight and take the higher.

We do not set a fixed air rate per kilo because it changes with the airline route and the season, but we give you a specific quote shortly after we know the weight and dimensions. As a rule of thumb, if the shipment is under 30 kg and urgent, air freight is worth comparing, and if it is heavier, road freight is clearly cheaper.

Example: a box of samples measuring 50 x 40 x 30 cm and weighing 6 kg gives 60,000 ÷ 6,000 = 10 kg volumetric, so it is charged as 10 kg, not 6. That is why an air shipment is worth packing in the smallest box that fits its contents.

Before confirming an air booking, send the weight and dimensions after packing, and declare any batteries, liquids or perfumes, because whether a parcel can fly is not decided by its name or its weight, and an item accepted by road is not automatically accepted on a plane. Say whether you want collection from your Riyadh address and delivery to the recipient’s door, or whether collection at the destination airport is enough, as this changes the stages of the service and its cost.

Comparing Ways to Ship to the UAE

No single method suits every shipment; what you are sending from Riyadh is what settles the choice. Household furniture belongs on a truck, not a plane, and a light envelope of papers is not worth waiting on until a road trip fills up. Tell us what you want to send and when, and we will recommend the option that balances speed of arrival against what you will pay.

When Does Sea Freight to the UAE Make Sense?

The road through Batha is the first choice on this direct route, with air for urgent items. Sea freight is limited to large commercial containers bound for Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, and is not used for household furniture or personal boxes. Because Riyadh is an inland city, the plan includes moving the container first to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, then the sea voyage, then clearance at Jebel Ali and final delivery.

When comparing sea with road, add up the cost of transport to the port, handling, freight, clearance and delivery, and do not compare the sea fare on its own with the lorry fare. The road prices and transit times on this page do not automatically apply to sea freight, so Al Rahwan prepares a separate quote for a sea container based on the port, the container type and the stages of transport.

Shipping Specific Items from Riyadh

Electrical Appliances and Electronics

Fridges, washing machines and televisions are among the most common items shipped from Riyadh. We prefer to move them in their original packaging if you still have it, and otherwise we wrap them in reinforced foam and secure the moving parts. A fridge is emptied and left open to dry the day before loading, a washing machine is drained and its drum secured, and a television travels upright, never lying flat. We never load anything on top of screens.

Clothes, Fabrics and Abayas

Clothes ship easily, but they need protection from damp and odours. We place them in sealed bags inside reinforced boxes, and add moisture-absorbing sachets to large shipments. For abayas and fine dresses, Al Rahwan provides hanging garment bags that keep their shape.

Food and Household Products

Dry packaged foods are accepted without trouble, but chilled and frozen goods need a refrigerated carrier and advance arrangement. We check the shelf life of each item and make sure none of it is on the prohibited list. Open liquids and broken containers are not carried.

Books, Documents and Stationery

Paper is heavier than it looks, so we use small boxes and keep each one under 20 kg. For important documents we recommend air freight, as it is quicker and easier to track.

Riyadh Customers Ask: How Do I Compare Shipping Companies?

Headline totals can mislead you, so compare the line items. Does the price include packing? Does it include unloading and delivery to the apartment door? Do the prices include dismantling and reassembly? Is there insurance? And is the transit time stated in the quote or only a spoken promise? A serious company explains every item and is happy to go through it with you before you pay.

Check that the company name and phone number match the details on the quote you receive; the official Al Rahwan number is 0568829975. Keep the inventory, the photos and the reference number until delivery is complete.

Why Riyadh Residents Prefer Road Freight to the UAE

Riyadh is the largest major city closest to the UAE border by road, and the route is direct, with no sea leg. That means a lower cost per kilo, furniture that does not change carrier more than once, and a car that arrives without maritime procedures. Air freight is for light, urgent items, and is not suited to furniture or cars.

Moving Day in Riyadh, Hour by Hour

Many customers ask what loading day actually looks like. Here is the usual routine for a three-bedroom apartment, so you know exactly what to expect at your place.

In smaller flats the job is done before noon, while large villas can run into the following day. We never rush the crew into hurried wrapping, because careful packing is what saves you from breakages later on.

Delivery in UAE Cities

Al Rahwan delivers Riyadh shipments to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Send the city, the area and the exact address or a location pin, not just the name of the emirate, because the delivery date and the unloading method depend on the address and the type of building.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Towers and Compounds

For flats and towers, give the building name, the floor and the unit number, and check the service lift booking time and where the lorry can park. Some items reach the building entrance easily but are hard to get into the flat, which is why the lift and doors are measured for long sofas and large wardrobes before loading in Riyadh, not on delivery day. Many towers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi require a moving permit from the building management, so request it a few days ahead.

Sharjah and Ajman: Warehouses and Showrooms

When delivering to a showroom, workshop or warehouse, give the entry gate, the recipient’s name and the unloading hours, and say whether a suitable forklift is available. State the number of pallets and packages and any overhang beyond the pallet, so the unloading set-up matches the shape of the load.

Al Ain and the Northern Emirates

In Al Ain and the northern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, the exact location matters more than the city name, so send a location pin, the address and the recipient’s number, and say whether delivery is into a home, a warehouse or a project site. If the recipient will not be available on the day of arrival, name an authorised alternative before the shipment leaves Riyadh; redelivery or a change of address after departure can change the scope and timing of the service.

Once Your Furniture Reaches the UAE: What to Watch For

• Electrical appliances: check each appliance’s voltage and plug type before switching it on. The UAE’s supply and sockets may differ from what some appliances are built for, and a few will need an adaptor or a suitable socket.
• Fridges: leave them standing upright for about two hours after the move before switching them on.
• Wooden furniture: inspect edges and corners at the time of delivery, not a week later.
• Paperwork: keep your copy of the inventory until every item has been checked.

Documents Required for Shipping from Riyadh

What documents do you need to ship from Riyadh to the UAE? For personal belongings and furniture, the sender’s ID or residence permit (iqama), a contents list, a Fasah authorisation for the customs broker and the recipient’s details and mobile number are enough. Commercial goods also need a commercial registration, a commercial invoice, a packing list and a certificate of origin where requested. A car needs its registration card, its plates, an export certificate and the owner’s ID. Al Rahwan checks your paperwork before loading in Riyadh, because a single missing document can hold the lorry at Batha.

Documents are reviewed according to the contents, the purpose of the move and the sending and receiving parties, so the table is a guide for getting started rather than a final regulatory list for every case. Requirements apply according to the regulations in force at the time of shipping.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Al Rahwan does not accept narcotics, weapons, ammunition, explosives, flammable materials, counterfeit goods or hazardous chemicals without a licence. Some items are not banned outright but need checking before they are accepted, and their conditions differ between road and air, so an item accepted on a lorry is not necessarily accepted on a plane.

Send the name and details of the item before you pack and ask us about it. Hiding it in a box of clothes does not change the conditions for accepting it, and it can delay the whole shipment at inspection.

Insurance and Liability for Damage

Optional insurance with Al Rahwan is different from the carrier’s liability set out in the agreement, and a standard transport quote does not mean comprehensive insurance on every item. If your shipment includes expensive appliances, fine furniture or a car, state its declared value when you book, and ask about the cover available, the exclusions and how to claim before the lorry leaves Riyadh. The cost of insurance depends on the value and type of the shipment, and it appears as a separate line on the quote.

What to Do If You Notice Something Missing or Damaged on Delivery

1. Count the packages in front of the driver and check them against the inventory before signing.
2. Photograph the damaged package and the item inside before moving it.
3. Write the note on the delivery document with a specific description, such as “Box no. 4, right-hand corner damaged”.
4. Keep the packing materials, the reference number and the invoice until the note has been reviewed.
5. Contact Al Rahwan on 0568829975 within the period agreed at booking.

For dismantled furniture, check the fittings bags and the panel numbers before throwing away the packing, and for a car, compare the loading photos with its condition on arrival with the recipient present. These steps tie the note to a specific item and make it quicker to review than a general complaint that is hard to trace.

Tracking Your Shipment from Riyadh to the UAE

You get a reference number for your shipment when you book, and Al Rahwan sends you WhatsApp updates at four points: collection in Riyadh, exit at the Batha crossing, entry at the Ghuwaifat crossing, and dispatch for delivery in the destination city. If you need information between those points, call 0568829975 and quote the reference number. Following an order this way does not necessarily mean a live map showing the lorry’s position, but a reliable update at every stage that affects the delivery date.

• Save the reference number and send it to the recipient in the UAE.
• Add the recipient’s UAE mobile number to the booking so they receive the delivery call directly.
• If the delivery address or date changes, tell us before the shipment is dispatched for delivery, not after.

Storage Before Shipping or on Arrival

The date you vacate your Riyadh home does not always match the date you get the keys to your new home in the UAE. That is why Al Rahwan offers short-term storage for furniture and boxes on request: before shipping, if you hand back your Riyadh flat before your home there is ready, or on arrival, if the recipient is not ready to take the shipment. Items stay wrapped and numbered just as they left your home and remain on the same inventory, so nothing needs repacking when they come out.

• Mention that you need storage when you book, with its approximate length and your preferred location: Riyadh or the UAE.
• Put the things you may need during storage in a separate box that travels with you or ahead of you.
• Perishable food and prohibited items are not stored.
• Storage appears on the quote as a separate line based on volume and duration.

How Shipping from Riyadh with Al Rahwan Works

1. Call 0568829975 or message us on WhatsApp, and tell us what you are shipping, your collection district in Riyadh, the delivery city in the UAE and the date you need.
2. Send photos of the items with their number, dimensions and weights if you have them, or ask for a survey visit.
3. You receive an itemised quote covering transport, packing, dismantling, assembly and any extra services, with an estimated date.
4. The crew arrives on time to pack, list, photograph and number the items, and you sign the inventory.
5. The shipment moves to Al Ahsa and then the Batha crossing, and you get a message at each stage.
6. Procedures are completed at Ghuwaifat and the shipment enters the UAE.
7. The shipment is delivered to the recipient’s door, furniture is placed and assembled if agreed, and the items are checked against the inventory.

A Short Checklist Before Collection Day

Make sure your list of items is final and that anything you are packing yourself is ready and numbered. Arrange access for the crew and the lorry, and tell the recipient in the UAE how many items to expect and what they are. Keep a copy of the quote, the packing list and the photos, and tell Al Rahwan about any addition or change before the date, not on loading day.

How to Work Out the Cost of Your Shipment from Riyadh

Multiply length by width by height in centimetres, then divide the result by 5000 for road freight. If the result is greater than the actual weight, that is what you are charged on. Example: a 70 x 50 x 40 cm box gives 140,000 ÷ 5,000 = 28 kg volumetric, so if it weighs 10 kg it is charged as 28.

If you want a sense of how much space your shipment takes up, work out its volume in cubic metres: length x width x height in centimetres ÷ 1,000,000. A 60 x 40 x 40 cm box is 0.096 cubic metres, and six of them make 0.576 cubic metres. Add a crate for a piece of furniture measuring 120 x 80 x 60 cm (also 0.576 cubic metres) and the total becomes 1.152 cubic metres. The point is that one item can take up the space of six boxes, so measure the outer package after packing, not the bare item.

The Cheapest Way to Ship from Riyadh

• Join a daily or weekly shared trip.
• Combine several small shipments into one.
• Bring the shipment to our Riyadh warehouse yourself rather than booking a home collection.
• Put the car on a shared carrier if its arrival is not urgent.
• Send photos of the items so pricing is accurate from the start.

Common Mistakes When Shipping from Riyadh

What most often delays Riyadh shipments or pushes up their cost are small mistakes that can be avoided before booking. These are the ones Al Rahwan sees most often:

Shipping Terms You Will Hear

Practical Tips for Riyadh Residents

Why Choose Al Rahwan for Shipping from Riyadh

Al Rahwan runs regular trips on the Riyadh to Batha to Ghuwaifat route, and brings together in one order everything a family or a company needs: furniture, cars, boxes, goods and urgent air freight, with delivery, placing and assembly in UAE cities. The UAE is not the limit of its service: Al Rahwan ships from Riyadh to every country in the world by land, sea and air, and the UAE is one of its most requested destinations. Call 0568829975 for an itemised quote.

Related Articles and Pages

• Shipping to the UAE: the main destination page with routes and services
• Shipping Company from Saudi Arabia to the UAE
• Shipping Company from Jeddah to the UAE
• Shipping Company from Dammam to the UAE
• Shipping Company from Al-Ahsa to the UAE
• Request a shipping quote: send your shipment details and get an itemised quote

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from Riyadh to Dubai take?

2 to 3 days from collection to the recipient’s door in Dubai, including 10 to 12 hours of driving via the Batha and Ghuwaifat crossings. Cars take 3 to 5 days depending on when the carrier fills, and air freight takes 24 to 48 hours.

How much does it cost to ship a box from Riyadh to the UAE?

From SAR 140 for a box up to 20 kg with Al Rahwan, from SAR 110 for a parcel up to 5 kg and from SAR 230 for a suitcase up to 30 kg, charged on the higher of actual and volumetric weight.

How much does it cost to move furniture from Riyadh to the UAE?

Furniture for a single room or studio starts from SAR 1,300, a full flat from SAR 4,100 and a villa from SAR 8,300. The final price depends on the number of pieces, the floor, whether there is a lift, and dismantling and assembly.

How much does car shipping from Riyadh to Dubai cost?

From SAR 1,100 for a saloon on a shared carrier, from SAR 1,400 for a 4×4, while a luxury car in an enclosed carrier starts from SAR 2,300, with the car arriving in 3 to 5 days via the Batha crossing.

What documents do I need to ship from Riyadh to the UAE?

ID or iqama, a contents list, a Fasah authorisation and the recipient’s details for personal belongings and furniture. Commercial goods add a registration, invoice and packing list; a car needs its registration card, plates, export certificate and the owner’s ID.

Which land crossing is used between Riyadh and the UAE?

The Batha crossing on the Saudi side, facing Ghuwaifat in Abu Dhabi, the only land crossing between the two countries. Lorries reach it from Riyadh via Al Ahsa, about 960 km to Abu Dhabi and 1,060 km to Dubai.

How long does air freight from Riyadh to the UAE take?

24 to 48 hours from King Khalid International Airport to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. It is charged on chargeable weight, with dimensions divided by 6,000, and you receive a specific quote once the weight and dimensions are known.

How much does it cost to ship commercial goods from Riyadh to the UAE?

From SAR 740 per pallet, SAR 2,300 for a 20-foot container, SAR 3,500 for a 40-foot container and SAR 6,500 for a full trailer, with a commercial invoice and packing list that match the load.

How is volumetric weight calculated?

Length x width x height in centimetres ÷ 5,000 by road and ÷ 6,000 by air, charged on the higher of volumetric and actual weight. A 70 x 50 x 40 cm box counts as 28 kg even if it weighs 10 kg.

Can furniture be stored in Riyadh before shipping or in the UAE after it arrives?

Short-term storage is available on request in Riyadh before shipping or in the UAE on arrival. Items stay wrapped and numbered on the same inventory, and storage appears as a separate line on the quote based on volume and duration.

Can I track my shipment from Riyadh to the UAE?

4 WhatsApp updates with a reference number: at collection in Riyadh, exit at Batha, entry at Ghuwaifat and dispatch for delivery. Between stages you can call 0568829975 and quote your reference number.

What cannot be shipped from Riyadh to the UAE?

Narcotics, weapons, explosives, flammable materials, counterfeit goods and hazardous chemicals without a licence are not accepted. Medicines, perfumes, batteries and chilled food need checking first, and conditions by air are stricter than by road.

Is shipping from Riyadh to the UAE insured?

Insurance is optional and priced on the value and type of the shipment, shown as a separate line on the quote. Declare the value of appliances, fine furniture and cars before the lorry leaves Riyadh, and ask about exclusions and claims.

Do you collect from residential compounds in Riyadh?

The compound name, gate number and entry permit are what we need to collect from compounds in Al Malqa, Hittin, Al Yasmin, Al Narjis and elsewhere. We send the driver’s name and lorry number the day before so the crew gets in without delay.