Door-to-door shipping: benefits and top companies in Saudi Arabia

Door-to-door shipping is an integrated logistics service that receives the shipment from the sender's location and delivers it directly to the recipient, without customer intervention. This service has become essential for e-commerce stores in Saudi Arabia, due to the comfort, speed, and cost savings it provides.

The most prominent door-to-door shipping companies in Saudi Arabia: Aramex - DHL - SMSA Express - Naqel Express - Aymakan. These companies are characterized by wide coverage within the Kingdom, reliable services, and accurate shipment tracking, and are considered an ideal choice for stores looking for a flexible and professional shipping experience.

Door-to-door shipping of products and delivering them to customers currently represents one of the most important trends in the logistics sector around the world, especially in Saudi Arabia. Reliance on this trend has greatly increased recently due to the unique, reliable, and integrated shipping experience it provides, free from the various troubles you would encounter if you shipped and transported your goods yourself.

Here is an overview of what this service is, its advantages, its mechanism of action, and the best door-to-door shipping companies in Saudi Arabia.

First, what is Door to Door Shipping?

Door-to-door shipping or product delivery service (D2D) is a type of advanced logistics service provided by many shipping companies that includes bringing the package or shipment from the sender's location (the first door) and delivering it to the recipient's location (the second door) in a safe and reliable manner, whether this is done locally within the country or internationally.

This unique service provides a distinctive and convenient experience for receiving various goods without the need for the merchant to go to the shipping location to receive the goods, thus saving time, effort, and cost.

To clarify the idea more, here is an example of implementing this service by Aramex:

• Aramex works to receive shipments of all types and sizes from the sender’s location, which is the warehouse, for example.

• Then it deals with export documents and customs clearance at the airport of the country of origin, if the shipment is international.

• The company then works to transport shipments to the country of destination and arrange customs clearance issues, customs fees, and various documents and procedures related to import.

• Finally, ensuring the shipment reaches the final agreed-upon location by the recipient.

All of this is done without any intervention from the merchant.

To confirm, we mention that the door-to-door shipping service is not limited to international shipping only, but can also be relied upon to deliver various items and products locally. The stages of door-to-door shipping differ locally and internationally, and this is explained in this paragraph.

Stages of shipping items and products door-to-door locally

Door-to-door shipping of items and products locally includes several stages:

• Booking and Registration

In this stage, the customer contacts the selected shipping company to book the door-to-door shipping service and register the shipment information, such as weight, dimensions, and pick-up and delivery addresses, and so on.

• Collection

The shipping company sends a representative to go to the address specified by the customer to collect the shipment, whether from home, office, or warehouse.

• Packing and Packaging

After the shipment is collected, it is packed and wrapped to keep it safe and protect it from damage during the transportation process.

• Transportation

In this stage, the appropriate means of transport is determined according to the nature of the shipment to deliver it to the reception sites safely.

• Receipt

In this stage, the shipment is delivered to the recipient customer's location by the shipping representative and the goods are verified and the receipt is signed to prove receipt.

How does international door-to-door shipping service work?

International door-to-door shipping is more complex and involves various stages as follows:

1. Selecting and purchasing goods

In this stage, the merchant identifies the goods to be imported from foreign countries, then completes the procedures with the manufacturing company and pays the price of the products for shipping. It is worth noting that the importer can talk to experienced shipping agents to help with the necessary procedures and ensure that the goods to be purchased are not on the list of prohibited shipments and restricted items.

2. Contracting with a shipping company

In this stage, the merchant searches and compares between the different types of shipping companies that offer door-to-door shipping service and chooses the appropriate shipping company according to the needs and requirements to take responsibility for the entire shipping process.

The selected company will assume responsibility for receiving the goods from inside the manufacturer's warehouses, and working to clear various documents and procedures in both the country of origin and the country of destination. We would like to point out that the method of contracting with shipping companies is subject to many factors and considerations and requires good understanding to choose the experienced logistics partner who will provide you with reliable and high-quality shipping services.

3. Transporting shipments

After the selected shipping company assumes responsibility, it will collect the shipments from the manufacturer's warehouses and ensure they are packed and wrapped according to the recommended standards to maintain the quality of the goods and prevent damage, then choose the appropriate means of transport to move the goods, whether by land, sea, or air, depending on the nature of the shipment and the specified delivery time.

4. Customs documentation

In this stage, all the required documents and papers are provided by the customs officials in the country of origin, which will contain all the details related to the shipment, including:

• Value of goods.

• Country of destination.

• Weight and dimensions of the shipment.

• Contents and items of the shipment and whether it contains flammable or toxic materials.

And other documents.

5. Customs clearance in the country of destination and delivery

When the shipment arrives at the country of destination, the selected shipping company clears all procedures and pays customs fees to release the goods, then the shipment is loaded and delivered to the agreed-upon receiving locations by the merchant.

The door-to-door shipping service has multiple advantages for business owners that contribute to saving time, effort, and cost.

How long does the door-to-door shipping service take?

The duration of the door-to-door shipping service depends on several factors, most notably: the destination (local or international), the type of service selected (standard or express), and the shipping company. But in general, the expected duration can be summarized as follows:

• Locally within Saudi Arabia: 1 to 3 working days.

• Internationally: 3 to 7 working days.

With OTO platform, you can get accurate and instant estimates of delivery time when using the price calculator, which shows the expected duration for each shipping company based on your location and the customer's location, with a clear comparison between the options. This allows you to make a smart decision based on speed and cost, and improve the shipping experience for your customers. Create a free account and try now.

Important considerations for choosing the best door-to-door shipping company in Saudi Arabia

There are many considerations that should be taken into account when choosing a shipping company in Riyadh or the Kingdom in general to provide the door-to-door shipping service, including:

• Ensuring that the selected shipping company covers the shipment's sending and receiving areas.

• Ensuring the door-to-door shipping company's ability to deliver the shipment on time and its commitment to accuracy and speed in delivery and all aspects of the Service Level Agreement. You can check the company's delivery time on the website and view previous customer experiences.

• Ensuring that the selected shipping company follows the necessary safety and security procedures during the transportation and delivery of the shipment to prevent damage, in addition to providing the necessary insurance for transported shipments.

• Comparing the cost of the door-to-door shipping service between the available companies and ensuring that the price is reasonable and commensurate with the quality of the service provided.

• Reviewing the additional services offered by the selected door-to-door shipping company, such as: insurance, customs clearance, packing and packaging, documentation, and tracking, and comparing them with the services available from other shipping companies to determine their quality.

• Ensuring the availability of 24/7 technical support service to solve any problem the customer may face during the shipping process.

According to these considerations, here are some nominations for door-to-door shipping companies in Saudi Arabia that you can use.

List of some door-to-door shipping companies in Saudi Arabia

• DHL Company

DHL (Deutsche Post DHL Group) is a global logistics company founded in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn. The company began its activity by providing express mail services between San Francisco and Hawaii, and quickly expanded to include delivery services around the world.

DHL is now part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, which is one of the largest logistics and postal services companies in the world.

DHL offers a wide range of logistics services that include air, land, and sea freight, door-to-door shipping, in addition to warehousing and supply chain management solutions.

The company is distinguished by a wide network covering more than 220 countries and regions around the world, which enables it to provide fast and reliable delivery services. Thanks to its focus on innovation and technology, DHL seeks to improve the efficiency of its operations and reduce its environmental impact, aiming to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

• Aramex Company

It is an international logistics and transport company founded in 1982 by Fadi Ghandour and Bill Kingson. The company began its activity in Amman and quickly grew to become one of the most prominent transport and logistics companies in the Middle East and North Africa, becoming one of the first Arab companies to be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in the United States as a result of its success and rapid growth.

Aramex offers a variety of services that include express shipping, air, sea, and land freight, e-commerce solutions, warehousing, and supply chain management.

The company is distinguished by a wide network of offices and branches in more than 60 countries, and works to provide innovative and reliable services to its customers such as door-to-door shipping and other services. Aramex relies on technology and digital transformation to improve the efficiency of its operations and enhance the customer experience. The company is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, and seeks to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable environmental practices.

• SMSA Express Company

It is a Saudi logistics company founded in 1994, and is considered one of the most prominent companies in the field of transport and logistics services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SMSA began its operations by providing express shipping services within the Kingdom and quickly expanded its services to include international shipping, which contributed to strengthening its position as a leading company in the Saudi and regional market.

SMSA Express offers a wide range of services to include land, air, and sea freight, express transport services, parcel delivery, heavy weight transport, door-to-door shipping, and warehousing and supply chain management solutions.

The company is distinguished by a wide network of offices and branches covering various regions of the Kingdom, which enables it to provide fast and reliable delivery services. SMSA also focuses on innovation and the use of modern technology to improve the efficiency of its operations and provide a distinguished experience to its customers. The company adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety, and seeks to enhance its role in supporting the national economy and developing the logistics services sector in the Kingdom.

• Aymakan Company

Aymakan Company was established with the aim of meeting the needs of the growing e-commerce sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by providing integrated shipping and delivery solutions, which contributes to facilitating online sales operations and providing a smooth and reliable delivery experience for customers.

Aymakan Company is distinguished as one of the leading companies in the logistics services sector in the Kingdom by providing a variety of logistics services that include express shipping, same-day delivery, door-to-door shipping, and warehousing and inventory management services.

The company relies on modern technology to improve the efficiency of its operations, as it uses innovative tracking systems to ensure transparency and accuracy in delivery operations. Thanks to its wide network of partners and logistics centers, Aymakan can provide its services in various regions of the Kingdom, which enhances its role as a reliable partner for merchants and contributes to the growth of the e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia.

• Naqel Express Company

It is a Saudi logistics company founded in 1993, and is considered one of the leading companies in the field of transport and logistics services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company began its activity by providing land freight services, and quickly expanded its services to include air and sea freight, which enabled it to meet diverse needs for its customers inside and outside the Kingdom.

Naqel Express offers a comprehensive range of services, including express shipping, e-commerce solutions for order and inventory management, door-to-door delivery, and transportation of heavy and refrigerated goods. The company relies on a wide network of branches and logistics centers that cover various regions of the Kingdom, which enables it to provide reliable and fast delivery services.

Naqel Express also focuses on innovation and the use of modern technology to improve the efficiency of its operations and provide a distinguished experience to its customers, thereby contributing to supporting the national economy and developing the logistics services sector in the Kingdom.

We would like to point out that this list of company names does not reflect a real classification of shipping companies, but rather are merely nominations according to the considerations and advice mentioned above. You can also create a free account on OTO and get full access to more than 20 other domestic and international shipping companies you can ship with without binding contracts and at discounted prices of up to 90%.

What is the importance of door-to-door shipping for e-commerce stores?

Door-to-door delivery is one of the most important pillars in the success of e-commerce stores, especially in markets like Saudi Arabia where the customer expects an integrated and fast shopping experience.

Here is a detailed look at the importance of this type of shipping:

• Reducing time and cost

Let us consider together, if you shipped your products and delivered them to consumers yourself, how much money would you spend until you achieve what you seek? And how much effort and time would you exert to follow up on shipping operations and clear procedures?

Of course, you will take a lot of time and effort, and you will spend a lot of money, which negatively affects your commercial activity because the products took a long time to reach customers, which reflects the weakness and lack of quality of the service provided despite the high quality of the product provided, and consequently the loss of customers in addition to the loss of money.

Perhaps you are wondering, what is the solution to overcome this problem?

The solution certainly lies in relying on the door-to-door shipping service, which allows you to complete your shipping operations with the best possible quality, in the fastest possible time, and at the lowest cost, which contributes to giving you a competitive advantage.

• Reducing pressure and completing tasks quickly

Imagine that you are working alone to accomplish everything, what is the amount of pressure that will be on your shoulders to complete tasks quickly and without errors? Of course, the amount of pressure will be great and the errors will be many.

Here comes the role of the innovative logistics service for door-to-door product shipping. When you rely on this service, you will provide your commercial activity with an integrated system for shipping your goods and delivering them effectively, which contributes to relieving pressure from you and thus innovating in your work to achieve your desired goals.

• Simplifying the shipping process

The matter here depends on relying on a leading strategic shipping partner in this field to ship goods door-to-door, who helps you simplify shipping operations, clear various procedures, and complete shipping-related tasks easily and smoothly, which contributes to saving time and effort, and delivering products to consumers as quickly as possible.

• Accelerating delivery time

The door-to-door delivery service has a unique advantage, which is accelerating the time taken to deliver shipments so that they are delivered to consumers as quickly as possible. It also reduces unnecessary storage of goods, and maintains the quality of products and protects them from damage thanks to the receipt and delivery process, which takes very little time.

• Diversity of shipments

Door-to-door delivery services have great diversity in terms of shipments and parcels that can be shipped, as there are no restrictions on the sizes and types of products, the weights of shipments, and so on. Companies that work to provide this type of logistics service are reliable enough to provide any requirements related to transport and shipping operations and meet the expectations of both the seller and the buyer.

After talking about the nature of the door-to-door shipping service and reviewing its most prominent advantages and the stages of shipping products locally and internationally through this service, we move on to talk about how to choose the best shipping company that provides the door-to-door shipping service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A final word

Door-to-door shipping service plays an important role in facilitating the shipping process and saving time and effort for senders and recipients. It provides a comprehensive service starting from collecting the shipment from the sender's location and packing it well, then transporting it safely and quickly to the intended area, and delivering it on time to the recipient without hassle.

In addition to that, the door-to-door shipping service has an effective role in saving time, effort, and cost, and contributes to improving the flow of shipping operations, provided that a reliable and experienced shipping company is chosen to ensure the provision of this service with high quality.