Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in Jeddah
Selling imported goods online means customs registration and import paperwork before the first shipment lands. Here are the 3 filings, in the order they're made.
Foreign investment license
Ministry of Investment (MISA)Saudi Arabia, national
A foreign-owned business gets the investment license before the commercial registration.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Renewed with the commercial registration.
Commercial registration
Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Business CenterSaudi Arabia, national
Registered online through the Saudi Business Center.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Tax, VAT and zakat registration
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)Saudi Arabia, national
Register for zakat or income tax, and for VAT once taxable supplies pass SAR 375,000 a year. E-invoicing applies.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in Jeddah
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Jeddah
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your importer or e-commerce seller in Jeddah
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders