Step-by-step guide to choosing the best domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia

The best domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia include SMSA, Zajil, Naqel Express, Aramex, DHL, and FedEx, due to their wide coverage, fast delivery, multiple payment options, and accurate tracking. The best choice depends on the type of products, the required delivery speed, and the shipping cost suitable for your business.

With the increasing volume of business and internal trade in different countries, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, domestic shipping has become more important than ever. Therefore, relying on the best domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia plays an effective role in improving shipping operations and providing efficient solutions that contribute to the growth of commercial activities.

Let's start by presenting more details on the topic of domestic shipping, and some key factors that will control your choice of the best domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia.

First, what is domestic shipping?

The term domestic shipping describes the process of transporting goods from one point to another within the country's borders, which is also known as local shipping or National Shipping.

In this case, commercial activities rely on domestic shipping companies that are spread throughout all target regions and cities so that they can carry out shipping operations within the Kingdom and transport shipments internally easily and smoothly, and deliver them on time without delay.

What are the types of domestic shipping?

There are many different types of shipping that fall under the heading of domestic shipping, which differ according to the nature and size of the product, the distance traveled between the merchant and the customer, and other factors.

We will focus on presenting the types of domestic shipping that differ based on the delivery time, considering that domestic shipping is generally characterized by geographical proximity between the merchant and the customer.

1. Standard/Regular Shipping

Standard shipping is the most common traditional option for transporting orders internally within the Kingdom. This type of shipping relies on a specific schedule, usually ranging between 3 to 10 working days, making it suitable for non-urgent shipments.

Standard shipping is characterized by its low cost compared to other options, and it is ideal for large shipments and products with low priority.

2. Bullet Delivery

Ultra-fast shipping is an excellent option for commercial activities that require order delivery in a very short time. This type of shipping is characterized by delivering shipments within hours of receiving the order, ensuring that products reach customers very quickly.

This type of shipping is usually used in emergency situations or to deliver sensitive products that require speed in transport to maintain their quality.

3. Same-Day Delivery

As the name suggests, same-day delivery is characterized by delivering shipments to customers on the same day the order was received. This is an ideal option for businesses that want to provide a distinctive shopping experience to their customers, as many customers prefer to receive products quickly without waiting for long periods. This type of shipping enhances customer satisfaction and increases their loyalty to the brand.

After reviewing the most important types of domestic shipping, here is a list of some of the best domestic shipping companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.

List of some of the most famous domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world

First, we would like to point out that this list does not express any preference between one shipping company and another, but rather it is just nominations and examples. Let's start by presenting the list:

• DHL

DHL provides domestic and international shipping services with a high level of efficiency and speed, offering express shipping services, shipment tracking, and customized shipping solutions for large and small projects. It is also characterized by its ability to deliver shipments on time and ensure the safety of goods during transport.

• FedEx

FedEx is characterized by fast and reliable shipping services, while providing integrated logistics solutions that meet customer needs. It also offers multiple options for domestic and international shipping, including land and air freight, in addition to customs clearance services and instant shipment tracking.

• Zajil

Zajil is one of the leading companies in the field of domestic shipping in Saudi Arabia, offering economical and fast shipping services, and land transportation services for large and small shipments, in addition to home delivery services and cash on delivery services.

• SMSA Express

SMSA Express offers various shipping services, including domestic and international shipping, with a focus on speed and efficiency, in addition to providing same-day express delivery services, customs clearance services, and storage and logistics management services.

• Saudi Post – SPL

The official logistics arm of the Saudi government, it provides domestic and international shipping services supported by a wide coverage network that includes major cities and remote areas. SPL provides home delivery services, real-time tracking, and multiple payment options, making it a reliable option for institutions and individuals.

NAQEL Express

Naqel Express is characterized by fast shipping services and same-day delivery. Naqel Express offers comprehensive logistics solutions including distribution, transportation, and storage, with real-time shipment tracking and 24/7 technical support services.

• Flow Progressive Logistics

It is a Saudi logistics provider specializing in heavy shipping and integrated logistics services (3PL), established in 2014 and affiliated with the Al-Sulaiman Group. It offers land, sea, and air transport solutions, in addition to storage and customs clearance, and relies on advanced technologies to track shipments and improve the efficiency of the supply chain within Saudi Arabia.

• Adwar Logistics

It is a Saudi company specializing in refrigerated shipping, transport, and storage, established in 2013 in Riyadh. It offers integrated solutions for delivering frozen and refrigerated products with precise temperatures and door-to-door delivery service, and is available through the OTO platform at competitive prices and high operational flexibility.

⭐ Read more about the most prominent types of shipping companies in Saudi Arabia in 2025

How long does shipping take within Saudi Arabia?

The shipping duration within Saudi Arabia varies depending on the shipping company and the type of service, but it usually ranges from several hours—as in the case of ultra-fast delivery—to a maximum of 5 working days.

For example, products shipped using express delivery services arrive within 24 to 48 hours in major cities, while standard shipping may take longer, especially when shipping to remote areas or villages.

What is the fastest domestic shipping service?

Many shipping companies within Saudi Arabia offer fast shipping and delivery services, and for a quick and direct answer, we can use the OTO shipping price calculator and assume that you want, for example, shipping from Riyadh to Dammam. We will find that the fastest domestic shipping company in Saudi Arabia—based on the data appearing in the OTO shipping price calculator—is the one that offers delivery within one to two working days.

Among the companies that provide this level of speed:

• J&T Express

• Aramex

• Thabit Express

All these companies offer fast shipping services with the possibility of receiving the shipment from the merchant and delivering it directly to the customer, making them the ideal choice for stores looking for reliable and fast delivery within the Kingdom. These services can be easily utilized through the OTO portal at competitive prices and high discounts.

How are shipping prices calculated for domestic and international shipping companies?

The answer to this question is not easy because it is related to many factors and considerations that control the shipping prices of domestic and international shipping companies, making them vary from one company to another.

In general, you can rely on the cost calculator provided by various shipping companies, or rely on the OTO shipping price calculator, which allows calculating the cost for shipments via more than 25 local and international shipping companies based on several data, including:

• Shipment weight and size.

• Shipment starting point and the geographical area where the shipment is to be delivered.

• Average delivery time.

And other data and factors that directly control shipping prices based on the needs to be met.

After creating a free account in OTO, you can use the price calculator to directly calculate shipping prices and display the different prices of available shipping companies, compare them, and choose the most suitable one for your needs and the needs of your customers.

After clicking on the button dedicated to showing shipping options, the available shipping companies in Saudi Arabia will appear for selection, which the screenshot below shows part of 👇

Did you notice how OTO's shipping prices are competitive compared to any other company? 😉

✨ You can also use the price calculator attached to this article to show a list of prices and details of domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia that suit your needs. ✨

Now let's move on to another important question:

How do I choose a suitable domestic shipping company for my online store? Key factors

There are some important factors that must be taken into account when choosing the best domestic shipping company in Saudi Arabia or any other country, and these factors directly affect the selection process according to the needs to be met. Among these factors:

1. The previous experience of the domestic shipping company

This factor is one of the most important factors that show the essential differences between one shipping company and another, and consequently, if the chosen domestic shipping company has high experience in this field in terms of dealing with different products, delivering them safely, and other important points, this will be reflected in the commercial activity, contributing to giving it a competitive value that distinguishes it from other commercial activities and enhances customer reliability and loyalty to the brand.

To find out the extent of the chosen domestic shipping company's experience, you can check their comments on social media channels, or look at their website to find out the services they offer, or look at newspapers to track their news and know their competitive position in the market, etc.

2. Cost of services provided

This is one of the sensitive factors that must be considered. Assuming you are a small business owner working in the domestic market in the Kingdom and you want to achieve the equation of reducing cost in exchange for the best possible quality, without affecting the experience and quality of the services provided, this will naturally represent a challenge for you in choosing the best domestic shipping company to rely on, as you want to get the lowest possible cost in exchange for the highest quality, which is difficult to achieve if dealing directly with one of the domestic shipping companies.

To overcome this challenge, you can rely on shipping portals as a unique solution to achieve the required balance between cost and quality. It is worth noting that "OTO", the leading shipping portal in the Arab world, enables you to technically link and deal directly with more than 400 local and international shipping companies and ship at competitive prices with discounts reaching up to 90%, in addition to providing innovative features to control and manage your business professionally.

You can watch this video to learn more about shipping through OTO:

4. Product type and weight

It is important to know the type and weight of the shipments you wish to ship because this matter directly controls the preference for one shipping company over another within your selection list, which affects the decision-making process to contract with a specific domestic shipping company to meet the requirements.

It is worth noting that there are a number of important questions that you must answer to determine the chosen company based on your product criteria, and these questions include:

• What is the standard weight of your shipments?

• Is the type of products to be shipped of high value that requires handling according to a scientific method to prevent damage?

• Have the scientific rules regarding packaging and wrapping been observed to protect the shipments from damage during the transportation and shipping process?

All these questions and more must be answered to form the decision to deal with any of the domestic shipping companies located within the target country.

⭐ Also read our complete guide on shipping liquids in Saudi Arabia 2025

5. Shipment delivery time

Likewise, this important factor plays a decisive role in gaining customer satisfaction and distinguishing you from other commercial activities, so you must ask yourself, do you want to rely on a fast domestic shipping company to deliver shipments to customers within hours of completing the order or at most on the same day, or is this matter not important to you?

It must be noted that fast shipping and delivery of shipments on time is one of the most important considerations that contribute to gaining customer satisfaction and strengthening their loyalty to the brand. Relying on a shipping company that supports delivering shipments as quickly as possible and with the best possible quality contributes to providing a unique and distinctive shipping experience for your customers that encourages them to repeat the process with you multiple times.

6. Shipment insurance

This factor is very important as it ensures the safe delivery of various items such as documents, sensitive products that are easy to break, and so on, to customers.

Finally, why do businesses in Saudi Arabia resort to domestic shipping companies?

Businesses in Saudi Arabia are increasingly relying on domestic shipping companies for several reasons that greatly benefit their operational and logistical processes. This reliance is increasing with the growing size of the e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia, which is estimated at $13.61 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $27.37 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.01% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

This growth has created increasing demand for the shipping and logistics sector and domestic shipping companies in Saudi Arabia in general. Perhaps the various commercial activities also resort to relying on domestic shipping companies due to the many benefits and advantages, including:

• Cost reduction thanks to innovative solutions and distinguished logistics services that allow the strategic leadership of commercial activity to reduce expenses and increase return on investment.

• Fast shipment delivery, as many statistics have mentioned that consumers are willing to pay more to receive the product within hours of starting the order completion, which necessitates relying on the fastest domestic shipping company, which contributes to enhancing customer loyalty to the brand and repeating the experience many times.

• Enhancing reliability and safety from customers towards the commercial activity and giving them a sense of security and reassurance, especially if the contracted shipping company is well-known and has a wide reputation within the country in which it operates, which gives consumers more confidence in the brand and thus achieves more profitability.

⭐ Also read about the important factors you should pay attention to when contracting with shipping companies in Saudi Arabia

• Protecting shipments from damage and delivering them safely, thanks to innovative mechanisms that enable them to deal with various types of shipments professionally, ensuring the product reaches the final consumer with the best possible quality.

• Tracking shipments to prevent their loss, which is a unique feature that allows consumers to track their shipments to monitor their movement from one point to another, giving them the ability to know the specific delivery time. It also enables customer service to deal with any problems that may arise in real-time and notify customers of them in case of any changes regarding the arrival time or location of the shipment, and so on. It should be noted that shipments can only be tracked and monitored through tracking numbers that are sent upon completion of the order to be easily tracked.

• Gaining customer satisfaction, as domestic and international shipping companies play a decisive role in enhancing or losing customer satisfaction. This is related to the quality of the shipping process, the arrival of shipments on time, and the quality in which the products arrive, in addition to other matters that must be taken into account and affect customer confidence in the commercial activity and forming an impression of it, either positively or negatively, and consequently gaining or losing their satisfaction forever.

In conclusion,

We affirm that domestic shipping plays a vital role in improving the economy and promoting sustainable development, as it represents the backbone of the local economic movement of various countries. Through it, resources and goods are transferred from one point to another between different regions, which helps improve productivity and enhance the economic growth of countries.

There is a trend towards investing in emerging technology and improving infrastructure to improve the domestic shipping sector and make it of higher quality and speed to support the economy and provide a distinguished shipping experience for customers.