Detailed explanation of the market potential of cross-border e-commerce in the Middle East and Aramex express service

While everyone’s attention is focused on emerging markets such as Russia and Brazil, the Middle East, a cross-border e-commerce market with huge potential, has been ignored. In the Middle East, especially in oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel, residents live a prosperous life. However, due to a lack of supplies and high Internet penetration, people are very enthusiastic about cross-border online shopping, and usually choose products with higher unit prices.

Foreign trade e-commerce platforms such as Lantingjishi, Dunhuang.com, and AliExpress have long been involved in the Middle East market, while global e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay have never given up on this market. Judging from Alexa traffic data statistics, the traffic brought by the Middle East to major cross-border e-commerce websites cannot be underestimated, mainly concentrated in Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group, the total value of Saudi e-commerce reached approximately 196 billion yuan in 2016, a significant increase from 67 billion yuan in 2010.

Aramex Express – the most famous express company in the Middle East

Aramex, founded in 1982, is the most well-known express delivery company in the Middle East and the first Middle Eastern company to be listed on NASDAQ, providing comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions worldwide. The company has more than 353 branches (note: another source said 354) and 12,300 employees (note: another source said 17,000) around the world. In 2012, it cooperated with Sinotrans to establish Sinotrans Amex (Shanghai) International Air Express Co., Ltd.

Advantages of Aramex Express

Aramex express has become the first choice for international cargo shipping to Middle Eastern countries due to its timeliness and price advantages. Normally, it only takes 2-5 days from package shipment to delivery, which greatly shortens the commercial distance between places around the world. Especially for more than 20 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, Aramex’s price is only about 60% of DHL’s. In addition, Aramex has no remote area surcharges worldwide, and packages can be tracked throughout the entire process on the Aramex official website.

Tariff calculation method

Aramex’s price calculation formula is as follows: (first weight price + re-weight price × re-weight quantity + fuel surcharge) × discount. For packages exceeding 15 kilograms, the additional unit price per kilogram will be charged, plus a fuel surcharge multiplied by the discount.

Shipment requirements

Please note the following points when sending Aramex parcels:

• The waybill must include detailed information such as recipient information, product information, declared value, number of pieces and weight;
• The declared amount of a single shipment of goods shall not exceed USD50,000;
• All information must be filled in English;
• The weight of a single piece shall not exceed 30 kg, and the length of one side shall not exceed 120 cm × 50 cm × 50 cm;
• If the weight of a single piece exceeds 30 kg, the size must be less than 240 cm × 190 cm × 110 cm;
• The larger of the actual weight and volumetric weight of international shipments will be charged. The volume calculation formula is: length × width × height/5000 (unit: cm).