Saudi-UAE Border Delays Snarl $20 Billion Trade as Trucks Wait Over 1 Week

1 articles · Updated · Semafor · Jul 9

Trucks carrying goods from the UAE into Saudi Arabia are now being held for hours to several days, with some drivers waiting more than a week at the Al Batha crossing.
The bottleneck has worsened over the past month as Iran-war disruption and the Strait of Hormuz closure pushed more cargo onto land routes already strained by tighter Saudi scrutiny.
Building equipment, furniture, spare parts and fresh flowers have been caught in the delays, prompting some companies to seek alternative routes into the kingdom.
Businesses are also reporting trouble moving money from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, forcing some payments through third countries and some travelers to carry large amounts of cash.
The disruption comes as Saudi-UAE ties hit a new low over oil, regional conflicts and competition to be the Gulf's main business hub, though Saudi customs says goods are moving normally and no complaints were received.