Through a shipping aggregator, a domestic parcel in Saudi Arabia costs roughly SAR 14 to 22 in October 2026: about SAR 14 with SPL, SAR 18 with J&T, SAR 19 with Aramex and SAR 22 with SMSA. Cash on delivery adds about SAR 3 to 14 per order. Walk in retail prices can be five times higher.
Why shipping is the cost that surprises new stores
Most people planning a Saudi online store spend weeks on the website and almost no time on delivery. Then the first month's courier bill arrives and it is bigger than the platform, the payment gateway and the marketing tools put together. On a SAR 150 order, a SAR 25 delivery plus a cash on delivery fee is a big part of your margin.
The good news is that shipping prices vary a lot, and you can do a lot about them.
The same parcel, three very different prices
Here is one example to show how much the way you buy shipping matters. Sending 1 kg from Riyadh to Jeddah:
- Aramex retail overnight, from its own website: about SAR 110.
- SPL business bundles, buying direct: from SAR 29.95 per parcel on the starter bundle, down to SAR 20 on the 250 parcel bundle.
- Aramex through a shipping aggregator: about SAR 19.
Never pay walk in prices for store orders. Use the shipping built into Salla or Zid, or an aggregator such as OTO, Postex or Shipa, from your very first order.
Courier prices compared
These are aggregator prices published in October 2026 for a domestic Riyadh to Jeddah parcel. Your own price will depend on weight, city, volume and the aggregator you use, but the order between couriers is a useful guide.
- SPL (Saudi Post): about SAR 14 per parcel, SAR 8 for cash on delivery, 1 to 5 days.
- iMile: about SAR 17, SAR 4 for cash on delivery, 2 to 3 days.
- Shipa Delivery: about SAR 17, SAR 3 for cash on delivery, 1 to 3 days.
- J&T Express: about SAR 18, SAR 8 for cash on delivery, 1 to 2 days.
- Aramex: about SAR 19.26, SAR 6 for cash on delivery, 1 to 2 days.
- Naqel Express: about SAR 19.80, SAR 14 for cash on delivery, 1 to 4 days.
- UPS: about SAR 20, SAR 8 for cash on delivery, 1 to 5 days.
- SMSA Express: about SAR 22.20, 1 to 5 days.
A monthly example: 500 orders, 40% cash on delivery
Cash on delivery is still common in Saudi Arabia, especially for first orders. Here is what 500 orders a month costs with three couriers if 200 of them are paid in cash.
- SPL: 500 x SAR 14 plus 200 x SAR 8 = SAR 8,600 a month.
- J&T: 500 x SAR 18 plus 200 x SAR 8 = SAR 10,600 a month.
- Aramex: 500 x SAR 19.26 plus 200 x SAR 6 = SAR 10,830 a month.
Cheapest is not always cheapest
The courier with the lowest price per parcel is not always the one that costs you least. Three things change the real number.
- Refused cash orders. Every refused COD order costs you the trip out and usually the trip back, and you earn nothing. A slower courier gives customers more time to change their mind.
- Delivery speed. In Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam customers now expect next day delivery. A cheap courier that takes four days brings more refusals and more support calls.
- Cash payout time. Money collected on delivery is paid to you later. Some couriers and aggregators pay weekly, some take longer. That waiting time is your cash tied up.
Cutting cash on delivery is often the biggest saving of all. Offering mada, Apple Pay, Tabby and Tamara at checkout, and a small discount for paying online, reduces both COD fees and refused orders.
Shipping to the UAE and the rest of the GCC
Cross border parcels between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are much more expensive, roughly SAR 40 to 55 for a parcel up to 1 kg, and take two to five days. Aramex, SMSA, Naqel and J&T all offer cash on delivery across the border, but the cash usually takes around two weeks to reach you. If the UAE becomes a big market for you, holding stock in the UAE quickly becomes cheaper than shipping every order from Riyadh.
What we recommend
- Use two couriers, not one: a low cost option for most cities and a fast one for Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
- Connect shipping to your store so labels, tracking numbers and WhatsApp or SMS updates happen automatically.
- Show the delivery fee and date clearly on the product page, before checkout. Surprise fees at checkout are a top reason for abandoned carts.
- Look at your refused order rate every month, by courier and by city.
