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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Effective from Jan 2012
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
The customs administration in Saudi Arabia has announced
more stringent application of existing requirements; these
come into effect from January 2012. DHL in Saudi Arabia are
already in touch with regular importers to prepare them for
these changes.
What this means for you the UK Exporter
For shipments under US$100 (All of Saudi Arabia)
Non document shipments, under US$100 and not mentioned
on the list of commodities need only a detailed invoice from
the shipper to clear through customs formalities into Saudi
Arabia.
Contents
Applies only to shipments with a value exceeding US$100
Sending to Jeddah or Riyadh
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1.When sending to a company the Importer’s Commercial
Registration number needs to be quoted on the invoice &
Waybill
Sending to Dhahran
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Sending Telecommunications equipment
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Sending Drugs, Medicines or Vitamins
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Sending Cosmetics or Food
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Sending to Private individuals
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What can your importer/consignee do to help
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Useful websites
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Prohibited and Restricted Commodities
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Controlled goods into Saudi Arabia
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Commodities needing safety certification prior to import
(SASO certification)
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2.When sending to an individual their Saudi identification
number or passport number must be quoted on the invoice
and/or Waybill
3.Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
4.Check whether your product needs certification from the
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO) or a CRF (Clean Report of Findings) or COC
(Certificate of Conformity). Certificates must be from a
recognized inspection company in the country of origin &
must accompany the invoice
5.Check whether your product needs approval prior to
export from one of the Saudi Arabian ministries; Ministry
of Information (MOI) Saudi Food & Drug Authority
(SFDA), Communications & Information Technology
Commission (CITC).
Includes; Electronics, Chemicals, Cosmetics,
Telecommunications, Vitamins, Food, Books
& Medicines
For COO: contact your Local Chamber of Commerce
For COC/CRF/ SASO Certification there are a number
of certification bodies including; SGS Group, Bureau
Veritas & Interek
For further information please contact your Account Manager
or Customer Services
Import Guide
Sending to Riyadh & Jeddah goods valued
between US$100 & US$2,500
Sending to private individuals across
Saudi Arabia
Sending to commercial entities
1.The personal identification (Iqama) number for personal
imports by a Saudi or foreign national for shipments
valued over $US100 must be quoted on the Waybill
or invoice if known at the time of shipping. DHL will
contact all individuals on arrival if this information is not
available
1. The Importer’s Commercial Registration number needs to
be quoted on the invoice & Waybill
2. Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
3. Check whether your product needs certification from
the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO)
4. Check whether your goods need Ministerial approval
prior to import
Goods valued over US$2,500
• All of the above plus a Certificate of Origin
Sending to Dhahran goods valued
between US$100 & US$13,250
Sending to commercial entities
1.The Importer’s Commercial Registration number needs to
be quoted on the invoice & Waybill
2.Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
3.Check whether your product needs certification from the
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO)
4.Check whether your goods need Ministerial approval
prior to import
Goods valued over US$13,250
• All of the above plus a Certificate of Origin
2.Personal Imports of Medicines, Drugs & Vitamin
supplements to individuals is not allowed
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Sending Telecommunications equipment to
any destination in Saudi Arabia
• All wireless telecommunications equipment
• Wireless computers
• Networking equipment
• All IT equipment
• GPS equipment
Sending Medicines, prescription Drugs,
Vitamins or Vitamin supplements to any
Saudi Arabia destination
The Saudi Arabian Customs Regulations require that the
following products and commodities require SFDA approval
prior to entry clearance into Saudi Arabia;
• Satellite communication equipment
• M
edications and pharmaceuticals (prescription and non
prescription)
• Cell phones and Smart Phones
• Laboratory chemicals and solutions
• Certain Wi-Fi routers
• Reagents and diagnostics
If shipments arrive for clearance but your consignee does not
have the necessary approvals then delays will occur before
clearance.
Sending to commercial entities
• The Importer’s Commercial Registration number needs to
be quoted on the invoice & Waybill
• Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
• Check whether your product needs certification from the
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO)
• Approval is needed from Communications & Information
Technology Commission (CITC). This approval will be
granted to the importer in Saudi Arabia by CITC
• Sending to Riyadh or Jeddah for shipments exceeding
US$2,500 a Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
• Sending to Dhahran for shipments exceeding US$13, 250 a
Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
Sending to individuals / personal imports
• The personal identification (Iqama) number for personal
imports by a Saudi or foreign national for shipments valued
over $US100 must be quoted on the Waybill or invoice if
known at the time of shipping.
• Electronic items for personal use cannot exceed 4 of the
same item. Over this and the shipment will be classed as a
commercial shipment and will require CITC and / or SASO
approval prior to importation
• Dietary supplements including vitamins
• Cosmetics and perfumes
Sending to commercial entities
• The Importer’s Commercial Registration number needs to
be quoted on the invoice & Waybill
• Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
• Check whether your product needs certification from the
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO)
• Approval is needed from Saudi Food & Drug Agency. This
approval will be granted to the importer in Saudi Arabia.
• Sending to Riyadh or Jeddah for shipments exceeding
US$2,500 a Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
• Sending to Dhahran for shipments exceeding US$13,250 a
Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
Sending to individuals / personal imports
Individuals cannot import items that need SFDA approval
Import Guide
Sending Cosmetics or Food to any Saudi
Arabia destination
The Saudi Arabian Customs Regulations state that the
following products and commodities require SFDA approval
prior to entry clearance into Saudi Arabia;
• M
edications and pharmaceuticals (prescription and non
prescription)
• Laboratory chemicals and solutions
• Reagents and diagnostics
• Dietary supplements including vitamins
• Cosmetics and perfumes
Sending to commercial entities
• The Importer’s Commercial Registration number needs to
be quoted on the invoice & Waybill
• Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
• Check whether your product needs certification from the
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
(SASO)
• Approval is needed from Saudi Food & Drug Agency. This
approval will be granted to the importer in Saudi Arabia.
• Sending to Riyadh or Jeddah for shipments exceeding
US$2,500 a Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
• Sending to Dhahran for shipments exceeding US$13,,250 a
Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
Sending to individuals / personal imports
Individuals cannot import items that need SFDA approval
For COO: contact your Local Chamber of Commerce
For CRF / COO / SASO there are a number of
certification bodies including; SGS Group Bureau
Veritas & Interek
For further information please contact your Account Manager
or Customer Services
Sending to private individuals
• When sending to an individual their Saudi identification
number (Iquama) or passport number must be quoted on
the invoice and/or Waybill
• Quote the HS code (6 digits) along with a full product
description on the invoice
• When sending commercial quantities check whether your
product needs certification from the Saudi Standards,
Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
• When sending to Riyadh or Jeddah for shipments
exceeding US$2,500 a Certificate of Origin (COO) is also
required
• When sending to Dhahran for shipments exceeding
US$13,,250 a Certificate of Origin (COO) is also required
• When sending electronic items for personal use, you
cannot exceed 4 of the same item. Over this and the
shipment will be classed as a commercial shipment
and will require CITC and / or SASO approval prior to
importation
• No items needing SFDA approval can be imported by a
private individual
NOTE: Shipments of Medicines, Prescription Drugs,
Vitamins or Vitamin Supplements, Cosmetics and Food
cannot be imported by individuals. Only a commercial
entity can import with SFDA approval.
Cosmetics in low quantities that are clearly for individual
& personal use are permitted.
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
How your consignee or importer can help
1. The consignee/importer’s Company Registration is
provided to DHL in Saudi Arabia
2. Provide DHL in Saudi Arabia with customs clearance
authorization enabling DHL to clear on their behalf.
This is required for all goods over USD$100 and
applies whether shipping to commercial entities or
individuals
4. Check whether a SASO certification is needed
5. Gain approval from the Communications &
Information Technology Commission (CITC)
Electronics & Telecommunications equipment
6. High value clearances will require original authorization
for each import declaration. Destination Jeddah & Riyadh
US$2,500 & Dhahran US$13,250.
3. Gain Saudi Food & Drug Agency (SFDA) approval before
export from the UK for Food, Medicine, Drugs, Cosmetics
& Vitamin supplements
Useful Websites
For the Government of Saudi Arabia
SASO – Saudi Arabian Standards Organization
http://www.saso.org.sa/English/Pages/Default.aspx
SFDA - Saudi Food & Drug Authority
http://www.sfda.gov.sa/En/Home
MOCI - Ministry of Commerce & Industry
http://mci.gov.sa/english/default.aspx
CITC - Communications & Information Technology Commission
http://www.citc.gov.sa/English/Pages/default.aspx
For SASO – Certification Bodies
If you need to have goods certified prior to export then
please check which of these service providers have an
agreement with SASO for your country of origin.
SGS Group
http://www.sgs.com/import_certification_me.htm?serviceId=10096307&lobId=5550
Intertek
http://www.intertek.com/government/product-conformity/exports/saudi-arabia/ Bureau Veritas
http://www.bureauveritas.com/wps/wcm/connect/bv_com/group
Import Guide
Prohibited & Restricted Commodities
The following goods are not allowed to be imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under any circumstances and will be
destroyed upon arrival at the Saudi border.
Prohibited & Restricted Commodities
Alcoholic beverages
Alcohol distilling equipment
All animal blood products
All kinds of Liquor, or items containing liquor as an ingredient
All narcotics without exception regardless of form.(Including poppy seeds)
Annoying car horns or horns that play tunes
Antiques & Works of Art (Standard DHL restriction)
Asbestos
Blank invoices for companies established abroad
Christmas Trees
Counterfeit products that bear the brand of a manufacturer or brand name of a commercial product, or a commercial title,
(Over & Above DHL Restrictions)
Crosses, Crucifixes or stars of David
Dangerous goods, hazardous or chemical combination materials (Over & above DHL restrictions)
Dogs except with permission from the Saudi Arabian embassy in origin country (live Animals Banned for Carriage with DHL Express)
Explosives except by licensed importers (Over & above DHL restrictions)
Firearms & parts thereof (Over & above DHL restrictions)
Frogs meat
Furs & Ivory (Standard DHL Restriction)
Gambling devices or Slot machines
Gemstones (Standard DHL Restriction)
Jewellery (Standard DHL restriction)
Label and packing material (can be imported only if consignee has a license agreement with the shipper or with permission from the
customs authority)
Laser pens or pointers
Masks
Massage equipment indecently packaged
Musical greeting cards
Night vision binoculars or similar items
Nutmeg, seeds & powder thereof
Phonographic/Audio Visual media products, subject to authorization by the Ministry of Information
Pigs (Swine) and pork products
Pornography
Postal envelopes
Soil samples
Spawn of silk-worms, any kinds of soil, leaf, stem, straw and natural manure used for agriculture,
Tobacco advertising materials
Used tires or retread tires
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Controlled Goods into Saudi Arabia
This section covers a range of commodities that require specific authority to import into the Kingdom from various
government ministries or require certificates of conformance from the shipper
Description
Books
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Cards containing electronic information – e.g. Satellite TV
cards, ID cards, Maps
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Chemicals
Ministry Of Commerce And Industry (MOCI)
Compact discs – music or data files
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Computer games
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Cosmetics and perfumes
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
Dietary supplements including vitamins
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
DVD’s
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
GPS equipment
Communications And Information Technology Commission (CITC)
Ink Products
Ministry Of Commerce And Industry (MOCI)
Laboratory chemicals and solutions
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
Magazines
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Medications and pharmaceuticals (prescription and non
prescription)
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
Photographic media
Ministry Of Information (MOI)
Reagents and diagnostics
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
Satellite communication equipment
Communications And Information Technology Commission (CITC)
Toner
Ministry Of Commerce And Industry (MOCI)
Wireless computer and networking equipment
Communications And Information Technology Commission (CITC)
Wireless telecommunications equipment
Communications And Information Technology Commission (CITC)
Import Guide
Items that require SASO certification (Pre export CRF)
Group 1 -Toys
Group 2 - Electronics and Electrical Products
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Group 2 - Electronics and Electrical Products (continued)
Import Guide
Group 2 - Electronics and Electrical Products (continued)
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Import Guide
IMPORT GUIDE:
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Group 3 - Automotive Products (continued)
Group 4 - Chemical Products
Import Guide
Group 5 - Others
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