Customs Rules
Import regulations::
Free import of:
1. (irrespective of age) 600 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grammes of tobacco (any excess prohibited);
2. a reasonable quantity of perfume;
3. a reasonable amount of cultured pearls for personal use.
Warning: Import ban (also for passenger's baggage) until further notice!
- All kinds of edible goods, like dairy products,
vegetables, meat, fish, fruits, baby food, carbonated
water etc.;
- live animals and birds (including pets); and
- all types of palm trees or derivatives of palm trees.
from or in transit via Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Germany (only former East Germany), Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (Rep. of), Poland, Romania, Russian Fed., Serbia & Montenegro, Slovak Rep., Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan or any other country announced (or still to be announced) by the World Health Organization;
Prohibited (also for transit passengers): alcoholic beverages, firearms or other lethal weapons; drugs of narcotic nature (except medicines for personal use and provided holding prescription); pork products; natural pearls.
Additional Information on regulations::
Nothing can be imported free of duty as passenger's baggage, except clothes and strictly personal effects.
No foodstuffs may be imported except: fruits, nuts, sweets prepared under hygienic conditions, honey and other foodstuffs in an "easy-to-open can" which can easily be inspected. Consult the Consulate for restrictions regarding foodstuffs from countries with cholera infected areas.
Customs charges a fee on photographic cameras, typewriters, etc. Customs charges may be refunded if these articles are re-exported within 90 days. It is advised not to put film in a camera.
Pets::
1. Dogs:
a. only watch dogs, hunting dogs, seeing-eye dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for deaf persons are permitted into Saudi Arabia. The purpose of use of such dogs must be shown in a veterinary certificate. Permission must be obtained prior to arrival from either a consulate/embassy of Saudi Arabia or the relevant government department in Saudi Arabia;
b. other dogs (whether as baggage or as cargo) are prohibited in case of import or in transit if leaving the airport. However, the possibility does exist for the authorities to grant incidental exemptions from this prohibition, with the exception of certain breeds of dogs that are totally forbidden.
Failure to comply with the correct import procedure will result in serious consequences, with the dog being returned by first available flight.
2. Cats: must be accompanied by 2 veterinarian health certificates and a rabies inoculation certificate, stating inoculation between 12 months and 30 days prior to arrival. Health certificates must be approved by the Saudi Arabian consulate in the country of origin.
3. Birds: health certificate and import permit required.
Prohibited: live chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese and parrots.
Note: due to the outbreak of the Avian Flu, import of birds has been restricted until further notice. Exempt are: day old chicks and hatching eggs.
Baggage Clearance regulations::
Baggage is cleared at the airport of final destination in Saudi Arabia, provided this is an international airport.
Airport Embarkation Tax
Airport Tax is levied on passengers leaving Saudi Arabia: SAR 50.-.
Place of payment: airline or ticket agencies or embarkation airport check-in.
Exempt:
1. Diplomats.
2. Infants.
3. Crew members.
4. Haj or "Umrah" pilgrims.
5. Passengers accompanying human remains.
Currency rules
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Saudi Arabian Rial-SAR) and foreign currencies (other than Israeli Sheqel): amounts exceeding SAR 60,000.-, must be declared.
Prohibited: Israeli Sheqel.
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Saudi Arabian Rial-SAR) and foreign currencies: amounts exceeding SAR 60,000.-, must be declared.