In pictures

Explainer

Weeks before opening

Explainer

Chart

In this article

The checklist
Import points to confirm early
Quantities for opening
Spec notes for the Saudi climate
Who buys
Next step

Short answer: linen sits in the OS&E budget and is often ordered too late. For a Saudi opening, fix the spec five months out, confirm import conformity requirements with your importer before production, budget 5 percent duty and 15 percent VAT, and have goods on site three weeks before opening.

The checklist

Weeks before opening

20 weeks

Specification and quantities fixed

18 weeks

Samples approved, conformity checked with your importer

16 weeks

Order and 50% advance

15 weeks

Labels, embroidery, carton marks approved

15 to 9 weeks

Production

9 weeks

AQL 2.5 report, then the balance

8 to 6 weeks

At sea from Cochin

8 to 12 days, plus port time.

6 to 4 weeks

Duty, VAT, delivery to site

3 to 1 weeks

First wash, store, rooms made up

Stage	When	What to do
Specification	20 weeks before opening	Fix sizes, weights, thread counts, colours and logo against the brand standard
Quantities	20 weeks	Par 3 per bed and bathroom, plus spa, pool and banquet stock
Samples	18 weeks	Order, wash-test and approve. Get brand sign-off if the hotel is flagged
Conformity check	18 weeks	Ask your importer of record what Saudi conformity registration your lines need
Order and advance	16 weeks	Signed spec, proforma invoice, 50 percent advance
Labels and artwork	15 weeks	Approve care labels, embroidery and carton marks
Production	15 to 9 weeks	30 to 45 days
Inspection and balance	9 weeks	AQL 2.5 report and photos, then the balance
Shipping	8 to 6 weeks	8 to 12 days by sea from Cochin, plus port time
Clearing and delivery	6 to 4 weeks	Duty, VAT, delivery to site
First wash and setup	3 to 1 weeks	Wash, count into store, make up rooms

Import points to confirm early

GCC tariff to budget

15%

Saudi VAT on import

days at sea from Cochin, at most

Conformity. Saudi Arabia runs product conformity through the SABER platform, and the importer registers products there. Whether your towels, sheets and robes need a conformity certificate, and which one, depends on the product and its tariff code. Ask your importer or clearing agent before production, because test reports may be needed from the supplier.
Duty. Budget the 5 percent GCC tariff. India has no trade agreement with Saudi Arabia that removes it.
VAT. 15 percent on import.
Labelling. Ask your importer what must appear on labels and cartons, and in which language.

We supply test reports and documents your importer asks for. We don't claim approvals we have not been asked to obtain for your shipment.

Quantities for opening

Area	Rule of thumb
Guest rooms	Par 3 for every item
Spa	Par 3 per treatment, based on treatments per day
Pool and beach	2 to 3 towels per sunbed
Robes	2 per room at par 3
Prayer and public areas	As the brand standard requires

Work the room numbers in the par level calculator.

Spec notes for the Saudi climate

Lighter robes, 300 to 400 GSM, are worn more. See robes in hot climates.
Hard water is common. Tell your laundry consultant, and choose a white that stands up to it.
Pool towels need their own colour and their own budget line.

Who buys

On many Saudi projects, linen is bought through an OS&E procurement company on the owner's behalf. See how linen gets specified and bought through OS&E companies.