Shipping & Import Document Translation
Jeddah Islamic Port is one of the largest and busiest ports on the Red Sea. Goods from Asia, Europe and Africa enter the Kingdom through it, and importers, clearing agents, hauliers and warehouses work around it. All of that movement runs on paper: bills of lading, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, packing lists and conformity certificates, many of them in the supplier’s language. Accurate shipping document translation means the description, quantity and weight match what is actually in the container. At Almadani Translation’s Jeddah branch we translate these documents as certified, stamped and signed translations, with a second translator checking every figure.
Requests received 24/7
What we do, and what we do not
We are a translation office only. We translate and stamp your documents, but we do not provide customs clearance and do not represent you before customs or the port. Document requirements, language and acceptance are set by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the relevant regulators, and handled with you by your customs broker. Our job is to get an accurate, ready translation into their hands.
Documents we translate
| Document | What we check |
|---|---|
| Sea or air bill of lading | Shipper and consignee names, ports, container numbers |
| Commercial invoice | Item description, quantity, unit price, total, currency |
| Packing list | Number of packages, gross and net weights, dimensions |
| Certificate of origin | Country of origin, issuing body, linked invoice numbers |
| Conformity and quality certificates | Reference standard, test results, validity |
| Health and halal certificates | Issuing body, product, production and expiry dates |
| Purchase and supply contracts | Delivery and payment terms as written |
| Letters of credit | Conditions and required documents, word for word |
| Product labels and leaflets | Ingredients, warnings and directions for use |
Figures come first
In shipping, the problem is rarely a language error; it is a number. So:
- We read figures twice: the reviewer compares every quantity, weight, price and container number with the original in a pass separate from the text check
- We do not convert units: a weight in pounds stays in pounds, and a value in a foreign currency stays as it is
- We keep codes intact: Harmonized System codes, model numbers and product codes are carried over untranslated
- We match names: the importer’s name as in its commercial registration, the supplier’s as on its invoice
Describing the goods
The goods description on the invoice is what classification is based on. We translate it precisely, without simplifying or adding: “industrial pump spare parts” does not become “spare parts”, and we add no details absent from the original. If a description in the source document is vague, we translate it as written and flag it so you can check with your supplier.
For importers and traders in Jeddah
- Small traders importing a single shipment who need the invoice and certificate of origin in Arabic
- Regular importers sending documents for every shipment, for whom we keep a product glossary
- Clearing offices that need their clients’ documents translated quickly
- Exporters from Jeddah sending products to other markets who need documents in the market’s language
For detailed supply contracts see legal and contract translation, and for imported equipment manuals technical and industrial translation.
How to order
- Send the documents as PDFs to WhatsApp +966 56 944 2222 or info@almadanitranslation.co.
- Tell us the language and, if it is soon, your shipment’s arrival date.
- Receive your quote and delivery time.
- Get the translation electronically to pass to your broker, and stamped printed copies by delivery or from the branch.
Branch: Office 8, 3rd Floor, 8153 Prince Sultan Rd, 5152 Al Basatin, Jeddah · Sunday to Thursday 10:00 to 16:00 · WhatsApp around the clock
Why Almadani Translation in Jeddah
- License No. 64, since 1982, more than 20,000 clients
- An independent figures check by a second translator
- A product glossary for companies with repeat shipments
- We translate from Chinese, Turkish, Hindi, Italian, German and every other language
- A non-disclosure agreement for prices and contracts on request
FAQ
Do you handle customs clearance?
No. We only translate documents; clearance is handled by your customs broker.
My shipment is at the port now. Can you translate today?
In many cases, yes, for urgent documents. We confirm the time with the quote, and urgent orders carry an extra fee.
The invoice is only in Chinese. Can you translate it straight into Arabic?
Yes, from any language into Arabic or English.
Will customs accept your translation?
We provide a stamped certified translation; acceptance is the receiving authority’s decision.
Related services
Your shipment’s paperwork ready before anyone asks for it. Send it on WhatsApp