You can track a sea freight shipment into Saudi Arabia using one of three numbers: the container number (4 letters + 7 digits, e.g. MAEU1234567), the bill of lading number, or the booking number — any one of these, plus the carrier's name, is enough. Once your shipment reaches a Saudi port, its customs status is tracked separately through Fasah, the government's single-window platform, where compliant shipments can clear in under 2 hours on the "Green Track."
If you want to start your own business and sell products online all around the world, or order some products, tracking them is part of the shipping process. You will want to track your shipment in both cases, but before that, you should learn how. Nowadays, more and more people are buying and selling goods online, or import/export goods they make. And packages often get misplaced or lost or damaged in transit, which is why we have tracking options.
Tracking a shipment is possible if you are shipping small packaging or you are shipping the whole shipping container. If you want to ship a lot of products, then you should first rent a shipping container or more than one container. In every case, this quick guide will help.
| Reference number | Who issues it | When you get it | What it tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking number | Carrier or forwarder | At reservation, before loading | Reserved space, confirmed route, container assignment |
| Container number | Shipping line (ISO 6346 format: 4 letters + 7 digits) | Once a physical container is assigned | The container’s location and movement, gate-in to gate-out |
| Bill of lading (B/L) number | Carrier | After cargo is loaded | The full shipment document, customs release, final delivery |
| Fasah declaration number | ZATCA (Saudi customs) | After customs declaration (Bayan) is submitted | Real-time customs clearance status at Saudi ports and airports |
Hiring a good shipping company before you track your shipment
The first step is to choose a company for shipping and also t choose a type of shipping. Goods can be shipped via sea, air, and road. It depends on how fast you want your shipment to be and what you are shipping. For example, shipping a car from Saudi Arabia to the USA will be done by sea freight. But if you want to ship a small item to the USA, it can be done by plane.
Choosing a freight forwarding company is the most important step. So, here are some tips for you about how to pick the best of the best:
Pay attention to registration and licensing
No matter which company you choose, they must be registered and licensed. Before you hire them, ask about these details, because they are the most important. They need to give you their NVOCC number. Licenses are different for international companies and domestic shipping companies. Each company in the shipping business must have a license; if they do not, it is illegal. DO NOT hire a moving and shipping company in that situation.
Types of cargo loading services
You can choose between different cargo transportation. When you find a suitable company, see what they offer to their clients.
- Warehouse loading – a company will pack and load your items. It is something like a full-service type.
- Live load – a container will be delivered in front of your home and you will pack and load it by yourself.
- Drop and pull – this is a stress-free but more expensive option. A shipping container will be in your yard and a company will pick it up after a couple of days.
Types of shipping containers
A company should offer you different sizes and types of shipping containers if you have a lot of goods to ship. You can choose between 20′ or 40′ container or choose a climate-controlled container. A variety of containers will make your work easier.
Tracking tools
This is part of shipping we are talking about now. Different companies have different tracking tools. But, the most important thing is that you will be able to track your shipment. Use technological advances and have a stress-free job. Ask a company about the package tracking options they offer. The best option is to track it online whenever you want to. Some companies charge more for tracking, but some of them do not.
The price for service
Price is also an important point. If you need to pay extra for tracking, it is worth it for sure. But, beware of hidden fees and read the contract entirely. There may be some additional fees you did not know about. So, before you choose a service, make sure you know what you are paying for that price and what is included.
Insurance
If something goes wrong with your shipment, you will be glad to have insurance. A shipping company (most of them) will offer you an insurance policy, that covers the whole process from the beginning to the end. Usually, the minimum is about $0.60 per pound.
Tracking your shipment isn’t complicated
There are a few steps when tracking a shipment.
- When the warehouse has prepared your goods to ship, you will receive a message via email. An email will contain a tracking number and content of the packing. Track your shipment starting now. It can be done on the same day, depending on the company.
- Then, click on the tracking number (or copy/paste it) and you will see where your goods are at that moment (on the carrier website).
- The information about your shipment will be provided when the carrier picks up your package and scans it.
- You are able to see the status of your goods anytime (24/7).
What if shipment can’t be found?
Sometimes when you click or copy your tracking number, you may see a message that your shipment cannot be found. What does it mean?
- If information were sent to you before your items were scanned. Wait a few hours and try again.
- If the carrier did not pick up the package yet. It is a problem with timing and it is a common situation. You should not be worried.
- If your item had a negative event, which is not common, you cannot track your shipment. That means. for example, your goods are into the wrong trailer. It is not happening that often.
Tracking a shipment is important for security and for your peace of mind too. When you want to track your shipment for business, make sure you have all the required information. A company you choose will give you that information, but just in case, make sure you have them all. If you are working in online selling, or you want to ship items to your friends and family, tracking your shipment is possible. You only need to turn on your pc or phone and to follow it.
How Do You Track Customs Clearance in Saudi Arabia?
Once your shipment physically arrives at a Saudi port or airport, tracking its carrier movement isn’t the same as tracking its customs status — that runs through Fasah, the single-window platform operated by ZATCA (the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority) in coordination with Mawani (the Saudi Ports Authority). Importers or their licensed customs broker submit the customs declaration (known as the Bayan) electronically, ideally at least 48 hours before the shipment arrives, and Fasah then shows real-time status from declaration through port release.
Shipments that submit complete, compliant documentation in advance can be routed to the “Green Track,” which clears cargo in under 2 hours rather than the days a paper-based process can take. As of a May 2026 update, Mawani requires mandatory 6-digit HS codes and cargo volume data on every manifest — missing or incorrect codes are one of the most common reasons a shipment gets held at the port instead of released on the Green Track.
A freight forwarding company that’s already onboarded with Fasah can submit your pre-clearance data on your behalf, so your shipment is ready for release the moment it reaches the port instead of waiting for someone to start the paperwork after arrival.
Why Can’t You Find Your Shipment When Tracking It?
Beyond the usual reasons a tracking number returns nothing — the carrier hasn’t scanned the item yet, or the update simply hasn’t synced — a shipment moving through Saudi Arabia can also show no movement because it’s sitting in customs review rather than lost. If your container number or B/L shows no update once the vessel has already arrived, check the Fasah declaration status before assuming the shipment itself is missing; a hold for incomplete manifest data (like the mandatory HS codes mentioned above) looks identical to “not yet scanned” on a carrier’s own tracking page.
Track your shipping the best possible way
Whether you’re tracking a single container by its number or waiting on a Fasah customs release, knowing which reference to use — and where to look when a number returns nothing — takes the guesswork out of a shipment in transit. Four Winds Saudi Arabia manages freight through Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh with Fasah pre-clearance handled on your behalf. Get a free shipping estimate and track your shipment with a team that already knows where it is.
FAQs
What number do I need to track my shipment into Saudi Arabia?
Any one of three: the booking number (issued at reservation), the container number (a permanent ISO 6346 code, 4 letters + 7 digits), or the bill of lading number (issued after loading). Any one of these plus the carrier's name is enough to track it.
How long does customs clearance take in Saudi Arabia?
Shipments that submit complete documentation through Fasah in advance can clear in under 2 hours on the Green Track. Incomplete or incorrect manifest data, such as missing HS codes, can delay release well beyond that.
What is Fasah and do I need to use it myself?
Fasah is ZATCA's single-window customs platform for tracking shipment clearance status in Saudi Arabia. You can track it yourself, or your licensed customs broker or freight forwarder can submit and monitor it on your behalf.
Why does my tracking number show no updates after my shipment has arrived?
It may be under customs review rather than lost. Check the Fasah declaration status — a documentation hold looks the same as "not yet scanned" on a carrier's tracking page but has a different cause and fix.
Can I track a container without a bill of lading?
Yes, basic container tracking by container number alone works on most carrier sites. You'll still need the original bill of lading for customs clearance and to receive the delivery order that releases the container from the port.