Sea Freight from China to Zarqa, Jordan — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Zarqa · via AMM air / Aqaba sea · clearance by Jordan Customs Department
Freight from China into Zarqa clears through AMM air / Aqaba sea. Zarqa is the main industrial city, and allow +1 day for the inland leg on top of clearance.
On the destination side, Jordan Customs Department handles clearance; budget 3–8 days of dwell before the cargo is released.
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.
| Sea gateways used | Aqaba |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 20–28 calendar 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 |
Pre-shipment checklist for Zarqa
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Jordan duty rate against it yourself.
- Budget for the inland leg: +1 day beyond gateway clearance to reach Zarqa.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: JSMO conformity for regulated goods; Arabic labelling for consumer products.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- 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 20–28 calendar 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.
Which port or airport does cargo for Zarqa clear through?
Cargo for Zarqa is routed via AMM air / Aqaba sea. Sea gateways for Jordan are Aqaba; air gateways are AMM (Amman Queen Alia). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
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.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Zarqa?
Yes. Delivery to a Zarqa address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Jordan Customs Department, and the +1 day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfilment centre or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
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.