Jizan port shipping covers two different ports in the Jazan region of southern Saudi Arabia: the older Jazan Port run by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and the newer deep-water port at Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI), operated by Hutchison Ports. Which one your cargo uses decides the berth, the vessel size and often the routing from Dubai. This guide explains both, the cargo each handles, Saudi customs in short, shipping from Dubai to Jizan, and shipping from Jizan to Dubai.
Jizan port shipping: key facts at a glance
| Item | Jazan Port (Mawani) | JCPDI Port (Hutchison Ports Jazan) |
|---|---|---|
| Other names | Jizan Port, Port of Jizan | Port of Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, Hutchison Ports Jazan |
| Owner or authority | Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) | Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, with the JCPDI Port Authority |
| Operator | Mawani; RSGT holds a 20-year concession for general cargo and dry bulk (June 2025) | Hutchison Ports, under an agreement signed in February 2021 |
| Port code | SAGIZ | SAJEC |
| First opened | 1976 | Inaugurated September 2022 |
| Area | 4.2 sq km | Operational area of more than 7 sq km |
| Berths and quay | 12 berths, one terminal | About 1,250 m of quay: 540 m container, 360 m general cargo, 350 m bulk |
| Depth alongside | About 12 m at the cargo berths (third-party listing) | 16.5 m |
| Design capacity | Up to 5 million tonnes a year | Over 1 million TEU and about 5 million tonnes of bulk a year |
| Main cargo | Livestock, grain and feed, general cargo, vehicles, passengers | Containers, general cargo, dry bulk, refinery liquids |
| Customs | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), declarations on Fasah | |
| Duty and VAT | GCC common external tariff of at least 5% on most goods, VAT 15% | |
Two ports called Jizan: which one is yours?
Many port guides mix the two up. One online article gives the JCPDI container quay figures under the name "Jazan Port", while vessel trackers file both under Jizan. Check the port code on your booking before you plan anything else.
- Jazan Port (SAGIZ) is the commercial port by Jizan city. It is one of the nine ports run by Mawani, and Saudipedia calls it the smallest Saudi port by capacity. It handles livestock, grain, general cargo, vehicles and passenger traffic to Farasan Island.
- JCPDI Port (SAJEC) sits in the Jazan industrial city further up the coast. It was built for the industrial city and the Aramco refinery there, and it has the deep berth and the container quay.
A simple rule: if your bill of lading says SAJEC or "Jazan Economic City", your cargo goes to the Hutchison terminal. If it says SAGIZ, it goes to the Mawani port. Truck bookings, delivery orders and customs filings all follow that code.
Jazan Port: berths, cargo and who runs it
Jazan Port opened in 1976. Saudipedia, the Saudi government encyclopedia, describes it as covering 4.2 sq km with twelve docks and one terminal, and gives its capacity as up to 5 million tonnes a year. Arab News, citing Mawani, ranks it third by design capacity among Saudi Red Sea ports and calls it the Kingdom's main entry point for livestock imports from the Horn of Africa.
Berth layout
Mawani's own port page was not reachable when we checked. A JCtrans port listing (undated, not an official source) splits the twelve berths like this:
| Berth group | Berths | Shoreline | Maximum depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk and general cargo | 9 | 1,380 m | 12 m |
| Container | 2 | 360 m | 12 m |
| Ro-Ro | 1 | 217 m | 12 m |
The same listing gives a 200-ton floating crane, 12,000 sq m of warehouses and 140,000 sq m of cargo yard, and names cement, grain and containers as main cargo. Treat these as planning figures. ShipNext gives a 225 m maximum length and 60,000 DWT, so confirm the berth before you fix a ship.
Who operates it now
In June 2025 Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) signed 20-year agreements with Mawani for multipurpose terminals at four Red Sea ports. Jazan Port's terminal is listed for general cargo and dry bulk. For grain, United Feed Company signed a 20-year Mawani contract for silos at Jazan and Ras Al Khair, with a 30,000 sq m site at Jazan.
What moves through it
| Cargo | How it moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Livestock | Livestock carriers, mostly from the Horn of Africa | Import permits, quick discharge |
| Grain and animal feed | Bulk carriers to the grain berths and silos | Discharge rate, receiver's silo space |
| Cement and building materials | Bulk or bagged general cargo | Trucks at the quay, storage time |
| Steel, machinery, project pieces | General cargo or breakbulk vessels | Lifting points, berth depth, road permits |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro berth | Vehicle import rules, storage |
| Containers | Small container berths; regular box services now favour JCPDI | Confirm the call before booking |
JCPDI Port: the deep-water terminal run by Hutchison Ports
The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu signed an investment and operation agreement with Hutchison Ports in February 2021, and the port was inaugurated in September 2022. It serves the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, an industrial city with investments of about $24 billion.
Phase one has three industrial berths, a single point mooring for the Saudi Aramco refinery, three commercial berths for containers, general cargo and bulk, and storage yards including reefer areas. A Saudi Press Agency report from April 2026 gives the quay split as 540 m for containers, 360 m for general cargo and 350 m for bulk, all at a 16.5 m draft.
| Item | JCPDI Port |
|---|---|
| Container quay | 540 m, 16.5 m draft |
| Largest ships | Container ships above 21,000 TEU; bulk and general cargo ships above 100,000 tonnes |
| Equipment | Remote-controlled cranes for bulk and container work |
| Liquid cargo | Separate terminal and SPM for the Aramco refinery |
| Services | Deposit and re-export zone, storage, handling, consolidation, customs clearance |
| First commercial container call | 17 July 2023, PIL's Kota Rahmat on its Intra Red Sea Feeder service |
| Hinterland | Jazan, Abha, Khamis Mushait and Najran; the southern region has about 4.5 million people |
The 2022 opening reports gave about 4 million tonnes of cargo capacity. We use the newer April 2026 figure above.
Incentives for new shippers at JCPDI
In April 2026 the industrial city launched an incentive package. It offers discounts of up to 50% on shipping and handling services, a fixed 20% discount and a full waiver of maritime fees for the first three voyages of new customers, handling discounts of 5% to 20% for local imports and exports by volume tier, and up to 50% for transit cargo. They apply to port charges, not ocean freight.
Shipping from Dubai to Jizan: routing and options
We found no published direct container service between Jebel Ali and either Jizan port. Containers from the UAE usually need a transshipment at a larger hub before a feeder takes them to Jizan, or a call by a regional service. The carrier's schedule on the day of booking decides this, so we check it each time.
[AMIR-FACT: our real routing from Jebel Ali to Jizan (SAGIZ or SAJEC, transshipment hub and carrier) and the typical port-to-port and door-to-door transit days we see]
| Option | When it fits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Container by sea to JCPDI | FCL and LCL for the Jazan region, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran | Which feeder calls SAJEC, the transshipment port, free time |
| Container to a larger Saudi port, then truck | No suitable feeder, or the consignee prefers a main port | Inland trucking cost and time versus the feeder |
| Breakbulk or bulk to Jazan Port or JCPDI | Steel, cement, grain, equipment, project pieces | Berth depth, vessel size, discharge rate |
| Road from the UAE | Urgent or small loads, GCC-origin goods | Crossing at Al-Batha, the only land port between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and a long run across the country |
| Air cargo | Samples, spare parts, urgent items | Routing through a main Saudi airport and onward delivery |
A decision rule we use: for one or two containers of general goods to the Jazan region, compare a feeder into JCPDI with a main-port routing plus truck, on total cost to the door. For breakbulk or bulk, the berth depth decides. JCPDI's 16.5 m berth takes ships that the older port cannot.
Container shipping to Jizan: FCL and LCL
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft container. It suits cargo that fills most of a box, and it avoids a second handling at a freight station.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a container. For Jizan this often means consolidation at the origin and deconsolidation at a main port or at the JCPDI consolidation service, then a separate delivery. It suits small volumes but adds steps.
Reefer cargo can use the reefer areas in the JCPDI storage yards. Tell us the set temperature at booking and check that the feeder takes reefers. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even usually sits. For the booking itself, see our sea freight service.
Breakbulk, bulk and project cargo at Jizan
Both ports take non-containerised cargo, but they suit different ships. Jazan Port has nine bulk and general cargo berths with about 12 m alongside, according to the JCtrans listing. JCPDI has a 350 m bulk quay and a 360 m general cargo quay at 16.5 m, which suits larger bulk carriers and heavy-lift ships.
Typical cargo for the region includes steel, cement, building materials and plant equipment for the industrial city. When you ship project cargo to Jizan with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose the port by berth depth, crane capacity and the site's location.
- Choose the vessel: flat racks on a container service, or breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage.
- Agree lifting, lashing and discharge with the carrier and the terminal.
- Plan the road move from the quay, with any permits the route needs.
- Line up customs so the cargo can leave the port quickly.
If a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container routing usually gives more sailings. If not, the breakbulk sailing date drives the plan. See our break bulk and project cargo service and our guide to flat racks, open tops and out-of-gauge cargo.
Dangerous goods to Jizan
We did not find published DG port circulars for either Jizan port. Acceptance therefore depends on the carrier, the transshipment port and the terminal at Jizan. For any DG booking you need:
- The UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A Safety Data Sheet for each product.
- A signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, labels and container placards to the IMDG Code.
- Any Saudi permit or registration the product needs.
If the feeder or the terminal does not accept your class, the cargo may need a main Saudi port instead. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks acceptance on every leg before you commit to a sailing.
Customs at Jizan port: a short summary
Both Jizan ports follow the same Saudi customs rules as every other port. Our Dammam port guide covers them in full. The short version:
- ZATCA asks for the declaration and documents on Fasah at least 48 hours before the cargo reaches the port of entry.
- Core documents are a commercial invoice, a bill of lading and a certificate of origin. The certificate of origin is not needed if the origin is clearly established.
- Some products need an IECEE certificate or registration with the relevant authority.
- Regulated products need SABER product and shipment certificates.
- Duty is the GCC common external tariff, at least 5% of CIF value on most goods. VAT is 15%.
- Goods of GCC origin are exempt from duty. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai are not.
What is specific to Jizan is the cargo mix. Livestock, rice, bulk animal feed, fresh red meat, coffee and tea enter Saudi Arabia duty-free, according to the US Commercial Service guide to Saudi tariffs. At JCPDI, the deposit and re-export zone lets you store and re-export without entering the goods for local use.
How to ship from Dubai to Jizan, step by step
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, dimensions, the Jizan consignee's address and the Incoterm.
- Confirm the port. We check whether the cargo should land at Jazan Port (SAGIZ) or JCPDI (SAJEC), based on cargo type, vessel size and the consignee.
- Price the routings. We compare a feeder into Jizan with a main-port routing plus truck, and give you the total to the door.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier and terminal acceptance first.
- Check SABER and permits. The consignee arranges SABER certificates and any product registration early, so clearance is not held.
- Prepare documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and the draft bill of lading, with matching weights, piece counts and HS codes.
- Handle UAE export. We arrange trucking to Jebel Ali or another UAE port and the UAE export or re-export declaration.
- Saudi clearance. The consignee's licensed broker files on Fasah at least 48 hours before arrival. We send them the documents early.
- Delivery and empty return. The consignee's transporter collects the cargo, and the empty container goes back within free time.
We work with the consignee's broker or a destination clearing agent. We do not have our own office in Saudi Arabia. Our Dubai freight forwarding team runs the UAE side and the booking.
How to ship from Jizan to Dubai
We also handle shipping from Jizan to Dubai and the rest of the UAE. Cargo moving this way includes metals and industrial products from the Jazan region, equipment going back after a project, and goods re-exported through Dubai. Jazan Port's exports have included zinc, copper and iron bars.
- Tell us what is ready. Cargo, weight, pickup address in the Jazan region, the UAE consignee and the Incoterm.
- Book with the carrier. We book space out of SAGIZ or SAJEC, or via a main Saudi port, and confirm the routing and cut-offs.
- Origin pickup and export papers. The shipper or its Saudi agent arranges trucking to the port and files the Saudi export declaration. We do not have an office in Saudi Arabia.
- Documents for the UAE. Dubai Customs asks for an invoice, a packing list, a certificate of origin and a permit for restricted goods.
- UAE clearance. We clear the cargo at Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah. Duty in Dubai is 5% of CIF value for most goods, and goods of GCC origin are treated as UAE local goods. VAT is 5%.
- Delivery in the UAE. We truck the cargo to your site, warehouse or free zone and return the empty.
Keep the Saudi certificate of origin with the shipment. Without it, Saudi-made goods can lose GCC treatment at UAE customs.
Free time and storage at Jizan
Free days come from the shipping line and appear on your quote and arrival notice. Port storage after that follows the terminal's tariff. File on Fasah early, have SABER ready and book the truck before the vessel berths. Our article on demurrage and detention explains how the charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Jizan
- Port code confirmed on the booking: SAGIZ or SAJEC.
- HS code checked against the Saudi tariff for duty and conditions.
- SABER certificates issued for regulated products.
- Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading match.
- Consignee or broker ready to file on Fasah 48 hours before arrival.
- For breakbulk: vessel size checked against berth depth at the chosen port.
- For DG: acceptance by the carrier, the hub and the Jizan terminal.
- For livestock or food: health and import permits in place before sailing.
- Free time agreed, and onward truck booked.
Common mistakes when shipping to Jizan
- Booking the wrong Jizan. A box sent to SAGIZ when the consignee expects JCPDI means a second truck move or a rebooking.
- Assuming a direct service. Without checking the feeder, you can lose days at a hub.
- Fixing a ship too deep for the berth. The older port's berths are about 12 m. Larger bulk ships need JCPDI.
- Late SABER certificates. Regulated goods are held until the certificates are in place, and storage runs.
- Claiming GCC origin for re-exported goods. Goods made outside the GCC pay the full duty, even if they sail from Dubai.
- Treating DG like general cargo. A class one leg accepts and another refuses can strand the container.
Jizan, Jeddah or another Saudi port?
| Your situation | Port to compare | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Containers for Jazan, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran | JCPDI Port | Closest container quay to the southern region |
| Livestock, grain, feed, cement | Jazan Port | Livestock gateway with grain berths and silos |
| Large bulk carriers or heavy-lift ships | JCPDI Port | 16.5 m alongside |
| Consignee in Jeddah, Makkah or the western region | Jeddah Islamic Port | Main container port on the west coast |
| Consignee in Riyadh or the Eastern Province | Dammam | Short sea leg from the UAE, rail to Riyadh |
On the UAE side, most cargo leaves through Jebel Ali Port. We can price more than one routing so you can compare the total to the door.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jizan Port the same as Jazan Port?
Yes. Jizan and Jazan are two spellings of the same place. But the region has two ports: Mawani's Jazan Port (SAGIZ) near the city, and the JCPDI Port (SAJEC) in the Jazan industrial city, run by Hutchison Ports.
Who operates Jizan port?
Mawani owns Jazan Port, and RSGT signed a 20-year concession in June 2025 for its general cargo and dry bulk terminal. The JCPDI Port is operated by Hutchison Ports under a 2021 agreement with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
Does Jizan handle containers?
Yes. JCPDI has a 540 m container quay with 16.5 m draft and received its first commercial container ship in July 2023. Jazan Port also has two small container berths, but check with the carrier which port your service calls.
How many berths does Jazan Port have?
Saudipedia lists twelve docks and one terminal on 4.2 sq km. The JCPDI Port has three industrial and three commercial berths in phase one, plus a single point mooring for the refinery.
Is there a direct ship for shipping from Dubai to Jizan?
We found no published direct container service from Jebel Ali to either Jizan port. Containers usually move via a transshipment hub or a main Saudi port, so confirm the routing and transit time at booking.
What documents do I need to import through Jizan?
ZATCA asks for a commercial invoice, a bill of lading and a certificate of origin, filed on Fasah at least 48 hours before arrival. Regulated products also need SABER certificates, and some need extra certificates or registration.
What duty applies to cargo landed at Jizan?
Saudi Arabia applies the GCC common external tariff, at least 5% of CIF value on most goods, plus 15% VAT. Livestock, rice and bulk animal feed are among the goods that enter duty-free.
Can you handle shipping from Jizan to Dubai?
Yes. We book space out of Jizan with the carrier, the shipper or its Saudi agent handles pickup and export papers, and we clear the cargo at Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah and deliver it in the UAE. Goods of GCC origin are treated as UAE local goods.
Can large ships call at Jizan?
At JCPDI, yes. Its 16.5 m berth can take container ships above 21,000 TEU and bulk ships above 100,000 tonnes. The older Jazan Port has berths of about 12 m, so larger ships go to JCPDI.
Get a quote for Jizan port shipping
Send us the cargo details and the consignee's location, and we will come back with a routing and a price to Jizan. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, project or DG shipment first.
Sources
- Saudipedia: Saudi Ports Authority (Jazan Port area, docks, capacity; list of Mawani ports)
- Arab News: Saudi ports overview citing Mawani (March 2026; Jazan rank and livestock role)
- JCtrans: Jizan port listing (berth groups, depths, crane, storage; undated)
- ShipNext: Jizan port data (vessel limits)
- MarineLink: Jizan port directory (depth range)
- Arab News: RSGT to invest SR1.6bn to develop four Red Sea ports (June 2025)
- Ajel: Mawani contracts for storage silos at Jazan and Ras Al Khair ports
- Asharq Al-Awsat: Cargo handling at Jizan Port jumps 24% (September 2018; zinc, copper and iron bar exports)
- Baird Maritime: New port opened in Jazan City (September 2022)
- Transport and Logistics ME: Hutchison Ports and Saudi government launch Port of Jazan City (phase one, 16.5 m berth)
- Riyadh Daily: JCPDI port logistics capabilities (April 2026)
- Arab News: Jazan City for Downstream Industries launches incentive package (April 2026)
- Hutchison Ports via Hellenic Shipping News: First commercial container call at Hutchison Ports Jazan (July 2023)
- CruiseMapper: Jizan port (1976 opening, Farasan Island passenger terminal)
- ZATCA: Import instructions (documents, Fasah, 48 hours)
- US International Trade Administration: Saudi Arabia import tariffs (CET, VAT, duty-free goods)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, GCC goods)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT (5% standard rate)
- Saudipedia: Al-Batha Port (land border with the UAE)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026