Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Saudi Arabia

The Middle East · 6 port guides

In 2025 the United States exported $14.1 billion of goods to Saudi Arabia and imported $10.5 billion from there. Saudi Arabia ranked 29th among US export markets and 38th among sources of US imports.

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16 ports in Saudi Arabia recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$14.1BUp 7.3% on 2024 ($13.1 billion)
US imports, 2025
$10.5BDown 18.4% on 2024 ($12.9 billion)
Goods balance
$3.6BUS surplus
Export market rank
29thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
38thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Saudi Arabia

Machinery and mechanical appliances (chapter 84) led US exports to Saudi Arabia at $2.9 billion, 20% of the total. The top three chapters made up 51%.

  1. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$2.9 billion20.4%
  2. 87Vehicles and parts$2.4 billion16.9%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$1.9 billion13.6%
  4. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$794.5 million5.6%
  5. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$699.7 million5.0%

US imports from Saudi Arabia

Mineral fuels and oils (chapter 27) led US imports from Saudi Arabia at $8.6 billion, 82% of the total. The top three chapters made up 90%.

  1. 27Mineral fuels and oils$8.6 billion81.8%
  2. 29Organic chemicals$476.7 million4.5%
  3. 31Fertilizers$438.4 million4.2%
  4. 98Special classification provisions$266.9 million2.5%
  5. 76Aluminum$234.0 million2.2%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Saudi Arabia, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Saudi Arabia requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Saudi Arabia.

Exports through the port, 2025
$485.2M3.4% of the US total with Saudi Arabia
Leading export goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $129.2 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$64.1M0.6% of the US total with Saudi Arabia
Leading import goods
PlasticsHS chapter 39, $35.0 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Saudi Arabia

6 ports in Saudi Arabia have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Jiddah records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 16.5 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Saudi Arabia: Duba, Duba Bulk Plant Tanker Terminal, Ju Aymah Lpg Terminal, Ju Aymah Oil Terminal, Rabigh, Ras Tannurah, Ras al Ghar, Ras al Khafji, Ras al Mishab and Sharmah.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.