How to choose a shipping company from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: 10 questions to ask before you pay

The real difference between shipping companies is rarely the price per kilo. It is what the quote actually includes: customs clearance, duties and taxes, door delivery, and how problems are handled. These are the questions our customers ask us every day, and they work with any company you choose. At the end of the page we answer them honestly about our own service.

Last updated: 18 October 2026

10 questions before you pay

1. Does the price include customs clearance? Ask for the quote to state clearly: freight, clearance, duties and taxes, and delivery. A quote that doesn't mention clearance may mean an extra charge on arrival.
2. Air, sea or road? Air is faster and costs more; sea suits large volumes. Ask which route is in use right now, because routes can change.
3. Do they collect from your address or from your supplier in Türkiye? Pickup from the factory or wholesaler saves you time and local transport.
4. Is delivery to the door in your city, or only to an office? Ask about your city by name, not only the country.
5. Which items are accepted and which are restricted? Cosmetics, supplements, honey and food have specific requirements in each country. A serious company reviews your item before shipping and does not promise to accept everything.
6. Personal or commercial shipment? Commercial cargo often needs a commercial registration, conformity certificates (such as SABER in Saudi Arabia) and a commercial invoice. Ask what you need before booking.
7. How is weight calculated? Ask whether pricing uses actual or volumetric weight, and whether there is a minimum.
8. Who is responsible for damage or loss? Ask how goods are packed, and about insurance if your goods are valuable.
9. Is there tracking and a real contact in your language? A WhatsApp number answered by a real team saves a lot of worry.
10. For online stores: is there storage, order preparation and cash on delivery? Ask where the warehouse is, who prepares the orders, how and when collected cash is remitted to you, and what happens to refused orders.

How BASMA Global answers these questions

• We ship by air from Istanbul to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, with door delivery.
• Commercial cargo is delivered customs-cleared to the door in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait; each product is reviewed for acceptance by type and destination before shipping, including cosmetics, supplements and honey. → Customs-cleared commercial cargo
• We collect from your address or from your supplier in Istanbul.
• For online stores: storage, order preparation, delivery and cash on delivery in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait; collected cash is remitted 15 days after the collection date. → E-commerce fulfillment
• A registered company in Türkiye (BASMA GLOBAL LOJİSTİK LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ) and a licensed company in the UAE.
• Prices are published on our prices page, the estimated delivery time for each country is on its page, and our team confirms the details before booking.
• Our team replies in Arabic, Turkish and English on WhatsApp +90 555 600 20 80.

FAQ

What is the most important thing to check in a shipping quote from Türkiye?

That it states exactly what is included: freight, customs clearance, duties and taxes, and door delivery.

Do I need a commercial registration to ship commercial goods to Saudi Arabia?

Usually yes for commercial shipments, and our team confirms the requirements for your item before booking.

Do you offer storage, delivery and cash on delivery for online stores?

Yes, for online stores in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

Ask us about your shipment on WhatsApp