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Export Market

Saudi Arabia

ISO: SA / SAU

Country Profile

Capital Riyadh
Population 35.3M
GDP $1.24T (2024)
GDP per Capita $35,122
Income Level High Income
Currency Saudi riyal (SAR ر.س)
Language Arabic
Timezone UTC+03:00
Region Asia · Western Asia

Trade Partners

Saudi Arabia Exports To

  • China 21.0%
  • India 12.0%
  • Japan 12.0%
  • USA 6.0%
  • UAE 4.0%

Key exports: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, alcohols, ships (2023)

Saudi Arabia Imports From

  • China 21.0%
  • UAE 8.0%
  • USA 7.0%
  • India 6.0%
  • Germany 5.0%

Key imports: cars, refined petroleum, gold, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023)

Economic Overview

high-income, oil-based Middle Eastern economy; OPEC founding member; Vision 2030 strategy prioritizing economic diversification, increased private sector involvement, and projects funded by sovereign wealth fund and foreign investment; young labor force; falling but significant poverty rate despite lack of official statistics

Government: absolute monarchy

UK Trade Status

No FTA

There is currently no free trade agreement between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Standard WTO terms apply.

Trade Barriers

7 active barriers affecting UK exporters

Saudi Arabia does not recognise totally online qualifications

In Saudi Arabia, training qualifications that are 100% online are not recognised by the government or private firms. In order for training qualifications to be recognised by the government or private firms, a blended approach is required where a significant …

Sectors: Education and training

Reported: 13 Jan 2021

Restrictions on foreign business service outsourcing

There are currently restrictions on transferring data outside of Saudi Arabia, alongside limitations on outsourcing arrangements which impacts the transfer of information.

Sectors: Financial and professional services

Reported: 1 Dec 2020

Lack of regulatory and standards for agri-food exports to Saudi Arabia

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issues technical regulations & standards for sanitary & phytosanitary goods, with a view to harmonising these amongst GCC members. The GCC's Standardisation Organisation (GSO) standards & technical regulations are copyrighted, therefore not openly published. The …

Sectors: Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

Reported: 16 Jul 2020

Requirements for product safety and quality marking in Saudi Arabia

SASO - the Saudi regulator for both imported and locally manufactured goods is introducing new product registration and quality marking requirements as part of the SALEEM safety framework. SALEEM rules are more stringent than those of the UK and the …

Sectors: Advanced engineering, Chemicals, Construction, Consumer and retail, Education and training, Technology and smart cities

Reported: 25 Oct 2019

Broadcast Piracy in Saudi Arabia

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in addressing broadcast piracy, including the establishment of Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). Issues remain around effective enforcement and effective application of rules in practice – we maintain a constructive …

Sectors: Creative industries

Reported: 13 Jun 2019

View all 7 barriers on GOV.UK →

Geographic Region

Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan

Trading Bloc Memberships

Saudi Arabia is a member of the following trade agreements and economic blocs.

GCC Gulf Cooperation Council Economic Union

Export Guidance

Relevant guidance for exporting to Saudi Arabia.

Start Your Export Journey

Export to the EU after Brexit Start exporting from the UK Manage your export compliance

Also in This Region

🇦🇫 Afghanistan 🇧🇭 Bahrain 🇮🇷 Iran 🇮🇶 Iraq 🇮🇱 Israel FTA 🇯🇴 Jordan FTA 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇱🇧 Lebanon FTA

Official Resources

Government export support for Saudi Arabia.

great.gov.uk Market Guide → GOV.UK Country Information →
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