Air Freight from China to Zarqa, Jordan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Zarqa · via AMM air / Aqaba sea · clearance by Jordan Customs Department
We move air freight cargo from South China into Zarqa through AMM air / Aqaba sea. Zarqa is the main industrial city, which shapes the kind of cargo that moves on this lane and how it should be packed.
Clearance itself is handled by Jordan Customs Department, and typical dwell at the gateway runs 3–8 days.
What you will pay on arrival in Jordan
Imports into Jordan are cleared by Jordan Customs Department. The headline position is: General sales tax 16%; customs duty 0–30%. The de-minimis threshold is JOD 200 for personal consignments.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labelling for consumer products. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Jordan: Aqaba Special Economic Zone rules differ from the rest of the country. Transit cargo to neighbouring markets needs bonded documentation. Arabic labelling required for retail goods.
Routing and transit on this lane
Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport and also the transit gateway for cargo continuing to Iraq and, historically, the wider Levant. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone offers reduced duty for goods consumed inside it, which is worth checking before assuming standard rates apply.
| Air gateways used | AMM (Amman Queen Alia) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 3–6 business days |
| Gateway serving Zarqa | AMM air / Aqaba sea |
| Inland leg to Zarqa | +1 day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Jordan duty rate against it yourself.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Confirm the consignee in Zarqa can act as importer of record — Jordan Customs Department will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Budget for the inland leg: +1 day beyond gateway clearance to reach Zarqa.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Put the Zarqa delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Zarqa take?
China to the Jordan gateway is 3–6 business days. On top of that, allow 3–8 days of clearance with Jordan Customs Department and a +1 day inland leg to Zarqa.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Zarqa?
Jordan Customs Department applies: General sales tax 16%; customs duty 0–30%. The de-minimis position is JOD 200 for personal consignments. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Zarqa.
What documents does Jordan Customs Department require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labelling for consumer products). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Zarqa?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via AMM (Amman Queen Alia). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
What certification do I need for Jordan?
For regulated goods, plan for: JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labelling for consumer products. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
How is the chargeable weight calculated for Zarqa?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight — length × width × height in centimetres divided by 6000 for air — and bill the greater of the two, rounded up to the next kilogram. Light, bulky cargo is almost always billed on volume.
Other delivery cities in Jordan
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Jordan change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Jordan Customs Department or your broker before you ship.
- Jordan Customs
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Zarqa
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.