A freight forwarder in Guangzhou recently received an enquiry from a Saudi importer: *"Please quote your best Guangzhou to Jeddah sea freight rates without customs clearance – we handle the clearance ourselves."* The forwarder, with 12 years in the Middle East trade, didn't immediately reply. Instead, he opened a checklist of **exclusions** – items that must be removed from a standard all-in rate before quoting a "Landed without clearance" price. Many shippers assume this is simply "ocean freight plus THC", but the reality is far more fragmented.

If you are sourcing **Guangzhou to Jeddah sea freight rates without customs clearance**, the first step is understanding what the standard rate bundle typically includes – and what you must carve out.

![Freight image](https://zhongdong123.cn/image/A024.jpg)

### What "Without Customs Clearance" Actually Removes

A standard **DDP** or **LDP** quote from Guangzhou to Jeddah bundles ocean freight, THC at both ends, documentation fees, origin trucking, and destination customs clearance with duties. When you request a rate *without* clearance, you strip away:

- **Destination customs filing & clearance fees** (typically USD 80–150 per shipment)
- **SABER/SASO certificate processing** – a pre-requisite for all Saudi imports, costing between USD 200–400 depending on product category
- **Duty & VAT** – Saudi customs duties vary from 5% to 25%, with 15% VAT applied after duty
- **Cargo release & transport from port to consignee's warehouse**

**Key Insight:** A wise forwarder told me – "The biggest mistake is quoting a rate and then adding back clearance fees later. You end up confusing the client. Instead, start from a *clean* bundle and explain what is excluded."

### Component Breakdown: What You Pay vs. What You Save

| Fee Component | Included in Standard All-in Rate? | Excluded in "Without Customs Clearance" Quote? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ocean Freight (FCL/LCL) | Yes | Yes (included) |
| BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) | Yes | Yes |
| Origin THC (Guangzhou) | Yes | Yes |
| Documentation & SI Amendment Fee | Usually yes | Yes (check cap on amendments) |
| Destination THC (Jeddah) | Yes | Yes |
| SABER/SASO Certificate | Yes | **No – excluded** |
| Destination Customs Clearance | Yes | **No – excluded** |
| Duty & VAT Payment | Yes | **No – excluded** |
| Import Service Charge (Port Storage) | Sometimes | **No – excluded** |

**⚠ Why this matters:** Many shippers see a low "without clearance" rate and think they are saving 30–50%. In reality, the excluded components (SABER + clearance + duties) can represent 20–40% of the total landed cost. **Experienced forwarders check these exclusions before quoting Guangzhou to Jeddah sea freight rates without customs clearance** because they know the destination compliance cost cannot be ignored.

### The SABER/SASO Trap – Pre-Shipment Compliance

Saudi Arabia's SABER system now requires all shipments to have a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate (SCoC) before departure. If you remove customs clearance from the quote, you must ensure the importer has the SABER registration and pays the certification fees themselves.

Without a valid SCoC, the cargo may be rejected at Jeddah port – and you, as the forwarder, could face **demurrage and storage charges** that are not covered by the basic freight rate. Always include a clause in your quotation: *"SABER certificate not included – must be provided prior to shipping."*

### SI Cut-Off and Amendment Charges – Hidden Exclusions

When quoting **Guangzhou to Jeddah sea freight rates without customs clearance**, do not forget the **SI cut-off** (Shipping Instruction deadline) and amendment fees. A typical **SI cut-off** for a weekly Jeddah service (e.g., via MSC, COSCO, or Hapag-Lloyd) is **5–7 days before vessel departure** from Guangzhou.

- **First SI amendment:** Often free or USD 25–40
- **Second or late amendment:** USD 50–100
- **Non-compliance:** Cargo may be rolled to the next sailing, incurring additional demurrage at origin

> "A forwarder I know quoted a 'without clearance' rate, but the shipper submitted SI three days late. No one had budgeted for the USD 80 amendment fee. The shipper blamed the forwarder."

Solution: In your quotation, explicitly state: *"Amendment fees beyond the first free change are not included."* This is one of the **key exclusions experienced forwarders check** before finalising the price.

### Jeddah Port Operations – Free Time and Demurrage

Jeddah Islamic Port is one of the busiest in the Red Sea, with an average container dwell time of 4–7 days. Standard free time is usually **7–10 days** for FCL imports. However, if the **consignee (importer)** handles customs clearance themselves and delays the process, storage charges can escalate quickly. These are not covered in a "without clearance" quote.

In a recent case, a machinery shipment from Guangzhou arrived at Jeddah. The importer did not have the SABER certificate ready, causing a 12-day detention. The storage bill? Over USD 450. The forwarder who quoted the "without clearance" rate was asked to reimburse because the client assumed "everything was covered."

**Best practice:** State in the booking note: *"All port storage and demurrage charges beyond 7 free days are for the consignee's account."*

### Right vs. Wrong: How to Structure a "Without Customs Clearance" Quote

| Wrong Approach | Right Approach |
| --- | --- |
| Quote a flat USD 1,200 "all-in" but then add clearance and SABER later | Quote USD 850 "ocean + THC + documentation only – no clearance, no SABER, no duty" |
| Assume the importer knows the SABER requirements | Provide a checklist of what the **importer** must arrange: SABER, duty payment, trucking from port |
| Include destination THC but not mention free time | Clearly state: "Destination THC included. Free time at Jeddah: 7 days. Demurrage beyond = consignee's cost." |

### Actionable Checklist for Your Next Booking

Before you send out a quote for **Guangzhou to Jeddah sea freight rates without customs clearance**, run through this list:

1. **Confirm SABER status** – is the importer registered? Have they paid the certificate fee?
2. **Clarify document handling** – who issues the commercial invoice and packing list for Saudi customs?
3. **State amendment fees** – include the first amendment cost (if any) and the cost for each subsequent change.
4. **Define free time** – at both Guangzhou and Jeddah ends.
5. **Flag dangerous goods protocols** – if machinery includes lithium batteries or any **dangerous goods**, a separate DG declaration and fee may apply.
6. **Check carrier’s **Persian Gulf rate** exemptions** – some carriers now apply a **Red Sea surcharge** on Jeddah routes; ensure it's included or excluded clearly.

**Final thought:** A transparent, exclusion‑clear quote builds trust. The forwarders who survive in the China‑Middle East trade are those who **know exactly what to exclude** – and explain it to the client in plain English. Next time you request a rate, ask: *"Please quote with all exclusions listed."* Your freight cost will be more predictable, and your importer in Jeddah will thank you.