Sector Setup

Set Up a Logistics & Supply Chain Company in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's logistics sector is being reshaped by Vision 2030's Global Logistics Hub strategy, Salam (rail freight expansion), Bahri (maritime), the new transhipment hubs and the rise of Saudi Customs digital clearance. Foreign logistics players enter via MISA + TGA (Transport General Authority) licensing.

How do I set up a logistics & supply chain company in Saudi Arabia? 100%-foreign-owned LLC under MISA Logistics activity. Capital SAR 500,000 – SAR 5,000,000 typical (varies by sub-activity). Year-one cost USD 25,000 – USD 60,000 year-one. Timeline 12–18 weeks (TGA licence adds 4–8 weeks). Sector regulators: MISA, TGA (Transport General Authority), Saudi Customs, ZATCA.

Logistics & Supply Chain sector entry in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's logistics sector is being reshaped by Vision 2030's Global Logistics Hub strategy, Salam (rail freight expansion), Bahri (maritime), the new transhipment hubs and the rise of Saudi Customs digital clearance. Foreign logistics players enter via MISA + TGA (Transport General Authority) licensing.

Recommended structure: 100%-foreign-owned LLC under MISA Logistics activity. Capital requirement: SAR 500,000 – SAR 5,000,000 typical (varies by sub-activity). Saudization band needed: Green required.

Saudi Arabia's logistics performance ranking has jumped materially since 2020. RHQ benefits apply to qualifying regional logistics HQs. Tamra runs end-to-end logistics & supply chain-sector setups — MISA, sector licensing, CR, banking, GR, ongoing compliance and workforce administration.

Key facts

SectorLogistics & Supply Chain
Recommended entity100%-foreign-owned LLC under MISA Logistics activity
Capital requirementSAR 500,000 – SAR 5,000,000 typical (varies by sub-activity)
Year-one costUSD 25,000 – USD 60,000 year-one
Timeline12–18 weeks (TGA licence adds 4–8 weeks)
Saudization bandGreen required
Sector regulatorsMISA, TGA (Transport General Authority), Saudi Customs, ZATCA

Logistics & Supply Chain setup process

12–18 weeks (TGA licence adds 4–8 weeks)

  1. Sector licensing pre-check. Verify the foreign parent's track record satisfies MISA, TGA (Transport General Authority), Saudi Customs, ZATCA requirements before MISA submission.
  2. MISA application. Submit MISA application under the appropriate sector activity code, with full attested parent-company documentation.
  3. Sector regulator submission. Submit sector-specific licence applications in parallel with CR. MISA Logistics licence drives the critical path.
  4. Commercial Registration & Chamber. MoC issues the CR; Chamber of Commerce subscription is activated.
  5. Operational portals. Activate Qiwa, Muqeem, GOSI, ZATCA, Mudad and any sector-specific portals.
  6. Banking & GM Iqama. Open Saudi corporate bank account; issue GM Iqama for the appointed manager.
  7. First hire / first invoice. Logistics & Supply Chain entity becomes operational. Tamra continues as the managed-services partner for payroll, GR and Iqama.

Mandatory sector licences

  • MISA Logistics licence
  • TGA freight forwarding / land transport / warehousing licences
  • Saudi Customs broker licence (if customs clearance offered)

Best-fit subsectors

  • Freight forwarding
  • Last-mile delivery & e-commerce logistics
  • Warehousing & 3PL
  • Cold chain
  • Customs brokerage

Common rejection reasons

  • TGA licence applied for without sufficient fleet/asset evidence
  • Customs broker licence requested without Saudi-national authorised broker on staff
  • Saudization gaps for fleet and warehouse roles

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to enter Saudi Arabia's logistics & supply chain market?

If you are testing the market, an EOR (hiring through Tamra's existing licence) is the lowest-commitment entry. For long-term presence, a 100%-foreign-owned LLC under MISA Logistics activity is the standard. Tamra runs both routes.

What is the capital requirement for a logistics & supply chain company?

SAR 500,000 – SAR 5,000,000 typical (varies by sub-activity)

How long does logistics & supply chain setup take?

12–18 weeks (TGA licence adds 4–8 weeks)

What are the sector-specific licences required?

MISA Logistics licence; TGA freight forwarding / land transport / warehousing licences; Saudi Customs broker licence (if customs clearance offered). Tamra coordinates these in parallel with MISA + CR.

Can Tamra act as the Saudi presence before our entity is ready?

Yes. Tamra holds an EOR licence and can sponsor your first 1–10 hires immediately, then transition them onto your entity once it is operational.

Related resources