February 5, 2025

Moving to Saudi Arabia

Removal Goods

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • From the Origin Agent:
    • Copy of AWB (for airfreights)
    • Original OBL / Sea Waybill / Express Release (for sea freights)
    • Descriptive Inventory / Packing List
    • Itemized Valued Inventory
    • Certificate of insurance (if applicable)
  • From the consignee at destination:
    • E-Authorization to customs broker through customs portal (fasah.sa) [Consignee should register to FASA upon arrival at destination once his/her iqama/residence permit issued]
    • Copy of consignee’s passport [Bio page and entry visa page]
    • Copy of Residence Permit (Iqama) for expatriates and National ID (Bataqa) for citizens
    • Muqeem print-out

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

  • Customs Duties vary from 5% to 20%.
  • Books and used clothing at reasonable quantities are exempted from customs duties.
  • Photos, books, video tapes, CD are subject to inspection by the security office.
  • 15% customs VAT on declared value to customs.

REMARKS

  • If receipts / invoices are not available, all items will be assessed by the Customs Authority based on local market value.
  • All containerized shipments must be on pallets or in lift vans failure of which the Seaport Authority will impose penalty for bad stowage (loose loaded):
    • Penalty:
      • US$ 00 – Per 20 ft,
      • US$ 334.00 – Per 40 ft container.
  • Consignee or the owner of the shipment must be in Saudi Arabia at the time of customs clearance, otherwise shipment will not be cleared.
  • Consignee’s attendance during Customs Inspection is NOT required.
  • Saudi customs regulations are modified regularly. This information is only a brief summary of the rules regarding customs clearance in Saudi Arabia applicable to incoming household goods and personal effects shipments only, and is being provided for general guidance to assist shippers and agents. Since such regulations are subject to change without prior notice, any costs, damages, delays, or any other detrimental facts or events resulting from non-compliance is solely for the account of the shipper and/or origin agent. In order to be guided accordingly, please, contact your destination agent in Saudi Arabia to further assist you on your move requirements and documentations, or you may check with your local Saudi Embassy or Consulate Office.

Electrical / Electronic Appliances (for new items only)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • Purchase Receipts / Invoice 
  • Descriptive Inventory for air shipments must be attached to the Airway Bill.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

  • Subject to customs duty – 5% of CIF Value

REMARKS

  • In the absence of purchase receipts, the Customs Authority will assess the goods based on local market value.

Prohibited Goods

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

  • All games of chance (gambling paraphernalia) including chess sets, dice, backgammon and the likes. *
  • Animal skin in commercial quantity.
  • Weapons and firearms (real or ornamental, and/or antiques) including guns, ammunition, fireworks, spears, If imported, owner will be subject to investigation that may result in fines and / or prison. *
  • Military uniforms or military equipment of any kind. *
  • Alcoholic beverages, any food products containing alcohol such as Vanilla, flavouring extract, cooking wines, etc.
  • Books, wine making kits, or any other items used in the preparation or manufacture of alcoholic drinks and beverages.
  • Any kind of narcotics and/or unidentified medicines.
  • Any type of radio transmitter or communications equipment (including receivers, VHF, Marine, police bands or walkie-talkies).*
  • Stuffed Animals, statues, figurines, carving or objects depicting human or animal form*
  • Pornographic materials and literatures to include fashion magazines with people wearing underwear or swimsuits.
  • Any foodstuffs containing alcohol, pork and related pork meat products, etc.
  • Any books pertaining to religion other than Islam.
  • Christmas tree and its decoration.
  • Goods Subject to Censorship:
    • Exposed film, including prints, slides, etc.
    • Records, books, magazines, pictures/photos, & other printed matters, 
    • Personal computers, audio/video CD’s, diskettes, USB’s, computer hard disks, printers.
    • Mobile or Cellular phones.
    • Audio/video VHS/VCR/cassette tapes, phonograph recording.
    • Or, any other items that store information.

REMARKS

  • Items marked with asterisk (*) can be re- exported at shipper/consignee’s expense.
  • If such items are in a PE & HHG shipment, Customs Authority will remove them from the container for censorship or review.
  • To reduce the time for clearance, these items must be packed separately for easy access and carton/s must be marked clearly and on the inventory; or you may send them off by air.
  • Bringing these items without declaration, especially wines and/or any alcoholic beverages, will be considered as a smuggling attempt, hence, heavy penalty will be imposed.
    • Aside from confiscation of the item, a penalty of US$ 200.00 for a bottle of wine.
    • For large quantity, the shipper/consignee will be brought to court and may be imprisoned.
    • Prohibited items are subject to automatic confiscation.
    • All incoming shipments to Saudi Arabia are subject to rigorous full physical inspection (100%).
  • A penalty will be charged to the consignee for CD’s, VCR tapes and books confiscated after the censorship:
    • US$ 135.00 each for CD’s & VCR tapes, and US$ 14.00 each for books.

Motors / Cars

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • New and used cars:
    • Title Certificate / Car Registrations
    • Conformity Certificate from a SASO accredited testing laboratory at origin country.
    • Police Clearance / de-registrations from the origin country.
    • Other proofs of ownership e., Purchase Invoice if it is available.
    • Proof of payment for new car if it is available.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

REMARKS

Diplomatic Removals

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • E-Authorization to customs broker through customs portal (fasah.sa)
    • Consignee should register to FASA upon arrival at destination once his/her diplomatic ID issued
  • Copy of consignee’s passport [Bio page and entry visa page]
  • Copy of diplomatic ID
  • Duty / inspection Exemption from MOFA with counter approval from Customs Head Quarters [Ministry of Finance]

REMARKS

  • Diplomats shall obtain Duty & Inspection Exemption Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, otherwise, their shipment will be considered as an ordinary cargo thereby, subjected to full physical inspection and duty payment.
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