The King Fahd Causeway crossing
| The causeway | Run by the King Fahd Causeway Authority, set up by a Saudi–Bahraini agreement (Royal Decree M/9; Bahraini Amiri Decree No. 4 of 1986). It is the sole land link between the two Kingdoms, inaugurated in 1986. ZATCA operates a customs port on it. (King Fahd Causeway Authority: about the causeway) |
| Driver and vehicle documents (KFCA) | Passport; certified authorization from the vehicle's owner; valid vehicle registration; valid driving licence; any other documents the authorities specify. (King Fahd Causeway Authority: trucks (documents, weights, procedure)) |
| Weights on the causeway (KFCA) | 5 axles: 45 t allowed, 55 t maximum (KFCA's own table, which differs from the national limits). Above the maximum weights and lengths, KFCA may refuse entry. (King Fahd Causeway Authority: trucks (documents, weights, procedure)) |
| Procedure | Book an appointment on FASAH, then go to the customs clearance office. Trucks also need insurance, available at offices on the causeway. (King Fahd Causeway Authority: trucks (documents, weights, procedure)) |
| TIR | The causeway is not a TIR route: Bahrain is not a party to the TIR Convention. (UN Treaty Collection: TIR Convention, status of parties) |
Rules for the truck
| Transport document | A foreign truck needs the TGA electronic transport document from bayan.logisti.sa; its number is entered in FASAH. It is an entry requirement for non-Saudi trucks. (SPA: TGA transport document required for non-Saudi trucks (1 Apr 2023)) |
| Foreign trucks (TGA) | Loads only on the return trip; no transport between Saudi cities; the same transport rules as national carriers; violations settled before entering or leaving. (SPA: TGA conditions for foreign trucks (24 Sep 2024)) |
| FASAH appointment | The carrier books an appointment on FASAH before the truck reaches a land customs port and arrives at the booked time; ZATCA may allow entry up to three hours before or after the slot. (Umm Al-Qura: ZATCA decision 1446-99-113, FASAH appointment before land customs ports) |
| Weight and size | Maximum gross weight 45 t for 5 axles; length 23 m, width 2.6 m, height 4.8 m. Weight and dimension fines are paid before entering the Kingdom. (SPA: Roads General Authority truck weight and dimension limits (24 Sep 2024)) |
| Truck age | Trucks must meet Saudi operating-age rules: 20 years from manufacture as the base rule; a temporary TGA allowance currently permits up to 22 years. (Umm Al-Qura: TGA board decision 11/1 (18/04/1448 H) extending the 22-year allowance) |
| Storage at the land port | Storage fees at land customs ports apply after three days, counted from the day after the truck's entry is recorded. (ZATCA: rules for storage fees at land ports (Ministerial Decision 296)) |
How a truck shipment crosses
- 1
1. Plan the lane
We confirm the crossing, the truck type, the delivery city and whether the transport runs under a TIR carnet.
- 2
2. Approvals before loading
SABER certificates for regulated products and SFDA release for food and other SFDA goods are prepared before the truck leaves.
- 3
3. Declaration in FASAH
Safe Hands files the customs declaration in FASAH, ideally at least 48 hours before arrival, as the licensed customs broker the carrier authorises.
- 4
4. Transport document and appointment
The foreign truck carries the TGA transport document and arrives on its FASAH appointment.
- 5
5. Clearance at the border
Duty and 15% import VAT are paid on the declaration and the goods are released at the border post.
- 6
6. Delivery
Delivery to your site or our Riyadh warehouse; legs between Saudi cities run on Saudi-licensed trucks.
Documents for a commercial truck shipment
- Customs declaration in FASAH (filed by Safe Hands as your licensed customs broker)
- Commercial invoice and, where origin is not otherwise established or a GCC preference is claimed, a certificate of origin
- TGA electronic transport document for a foreign truck, with its number entered in FASAH
- FASAH truck appointment before reaching the land port
- Pre-transit declaration for transit movements; a TIR carnet where the movement runs under TIR between TIR offices
- Approvals the tariff line lists (SABER certificates, SFDA release and others)
- Driver and vehicle documents: passport, vehicle registration, driving licence and any documents required by transport agreements
Routes, crossings and transit times are confirmed per shipment.
Sources
- King Fahd Causeway Authority: about the causeway
- King Fahd Causeway Authority: trucks (documents, weights, procedure)
- ZATCA: branches and customs ports (land ports)
- UN Treaty Collection: TIR Convention, status of parties
- SPA: TGA conditions for foreign trucks (24 Sep 2024)
- SPA: TGA transport document required for non-Saudi trucks (1 Apr 2023)
- Umm Al-Qura: ZATCA decision 1446-99-113, FASAH appointment before land customs ports
- SPA: Roads General Authority truck weight and dimension limits (24 Sep 2024)
- TGA: Executive Regulation for Heavy Goods Transport, Art 24
- Umm Al-Qura: TGA board decision 11/1 (18/04/1448 H) extending the 22-year allowance
- ZATCA: rules for storage fees at land ports (Ministerial Decision 296)
Official pages, checked 11 October 2026. Routes, crossings and transit times are confirmed per shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat documents does the driver need on the causeway?
Passport, the owner's certified authorization, valid vehicle registration, a valid driving licence and any other documents the authorities specify.
QWhat is the weight limit for a 5-axle truck on the causeway?
KFCA lists 45 t allowed and 55 t maximum; above the maximum, KFCA may refuse entry.
QIs truck insurance needed?
Yes. KFCA lists truck insurance, available at offices on the causeway.
QIs the causeway a TIR route?
No. Bahrain is not a TIR party.
QDo I need an appointment to bring a truck to a Saudi land port?
Yes. The carrier books a FASAH truck appointment before the truck reaches the land port; ZATCA may allow entry up to three hours before or after the slot.
QWhat does a foreign truck need to enter Saudi Arabia?
The TGA electronic transport document from bayan.logisti.sa, with its number entered in FASAH. It may carry goods only on the return trip, may not transport between Saudi cities, follows the national carriers' rules and settles any violations before entering or leaving.
QHow old can the truck be?
Trucks must meet Saudi operating-age rules: 20 years from manufacture as the base rule; a temporary TGA allowance currently permits up to 22 years.
QHow long does it take?
There is no official transit time; we quote per lane and confirm the route for every shipment.
Our credentials
- Licensed customs broker
- ZATCA customs clearance
- TGA Freight Forwarder & Broker Licence
- 42/00008120
- ISO certification
- ISO 9001:2015 AMER300621 · ISO 45001:2018 AMER300622
- Verify · Certification body's certificate check
- Head office · Warehouse
- 7273 Fatimah Al Zahraa Rd, Riyadh 12837 · Al Sulay industrial district, Riyadh
Safe Hands Shipping Line is the trade name of شركة الايدي الامينة (Al Aidi Al Amina Company). All credentials →
Get a Land Transport Quote via King Fahd Causeway
Tell us the origin city, the cargo, the number of trucks and the delivery city in Saudi Arabia; our team sends a written quote.