The Saudi Arabia market for Indian vitrified & ceramic tiles
GCC anti-dumping duties on ceramic/porcelain tiles from India have applied since June 2020; a 2025 review reportedly extended them for five years from 28 May 2026 (trade press - confirm with the GCC Technical Secretariat).
Indian community in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,750,551 (NRI 2,747,551 + PIO 3,000) — largest NRI population worldwide.
Vitrified & Ceramic Tiles specification for Saudi Arabia orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Water absorption | ≤ 0.5% for vitrified/porcelain (ISO 13006 Group BIa); 10-20% for ceramic wall tiles (typical) |
| Sizes | 600x600, 600x1200, 800x800, 800x1600, 1200x2400 mm; wall 300x450, 300x600 (typical) |
| Thickness | 8-9 mm (600x600), 9-15 mm slabs, 20 mm outdoor (typical) |
| Modulus of rupture | ≥ 35 N/mm² for BIa (ISO 13006, typical) |
| Finish | Glossy, satin, matt, carving, sugar/lappato, anti-slip R10-R11 (typical) |
| Shade/caliber | Batch-wise shade and size grading (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping vitrified & ceramic tiles to Saudi Arabia
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Dammam: 6-10 days. Often via Jebel Ali transhipment; FASAH/SABER docs must be in place before arrival
Supply window: Indian vitrified & ceramic tiles is mainly produced or harvested Year-round. Allow 6-10 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Saudi Arabia customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~24-27 MT (≈ 1,200-1,400 m² of 600x600x9 mm), 40' HC Weight-limited; 20' used.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP; CIF Dammam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Saudi Arabia
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Inland; King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (east) / Jeddah Islamic Port (west); Riyadh Dry Port ra | government & mega-project contractors (construction materials, steel, cables) |
| Jeddah | Jeddah Islamic Port (Red Sea); King Abdullah Port (Rabigh, ~100 km N) · King Abdulaziz Int | construction, Red Sea importers/distributors, pilgrim HORECA & catering |
| Mecca | Inland (~80 km); Jeddah Islamic Port · King Abdulaziz International Jeddah (JED) | ihram/prayer textiles, dates/food retail, pilgrim hotels & catering (rice |
| Dammam | King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam (Arabian Gulf; largest Saudi Gulf-coast port) · King Fahd Inte | oil & gas contractors (industrial supplies, valves, pipes |
| Jubail | Jubail Commercial Port & King Fahd Industrial Port · King Fahd International Dammam (DMM) | petrochemical plant contractors & MRO suppliers, industrial chemicals/catalysts, PPE & uniforms |
| Khobar | King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (adjacent) · King Fahd International Dammam (DMM) | Aramco-contractor supply, expatriate retail & HORECA, Indian grocery |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Saudi Arabia take?
Typically 6-10 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dammam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Saudi Arabia have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA. India–GCC FTA: terms of reference finalised, negotiations ongoing [S7]. Saudi applies GCC common external tariff (5% most goods) A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to vitrified & ceramic tiles from India?
Usually HS 690721. Saudi Arabia applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What is the difference between vitrified and ceramic tiles?
Vitrified/porcelain tiles have water absorption of 0.5% or less, so they are dense and strong for floors. Ceramic wall tiles are more porous and lighter.
Do EU anti-dumping duties apply?
Yes. Indian ceramic tiles carry producer-specific EU anti-dumping duties, so the rate depends on the factory.
What is GVT/PGVT?
Glazed vitrified tiles, and polished glazed vitrified tiles, both with digitally printed designs.
Related guides
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