Bringing external hard drives (USB) into Saudi.
 

Hi everyone,

This forum has been really helpful with a lot of questions I had about KSA but I couldn't find this discussed anywhere. I'm moving to Riyadh in the next few weeks and was planning to bring a load of movies (not porn!) and music with me on a couple of external hard disks. I will not be bringing a laptop with me. Are these likely to be seized and searched if I carry them in my hand luggage? Should I hide the content on the drives in some way? Has anyone got any recommendations for doing this if it is necessary?

All the best.

Re: Bringing external hard drives (USB) into Saudi.
 

I would pack it in your suitcase wrapped in a towel or something to protect it. If you put it in your hand luggage it is likely to be taken away to be checked and returned at a later date Inshallah.

Re: Bringing external hard drives (USB) into Saudi.
 

I used to commute into and out of Dammam in the early Noughties... Most of the time, we came via Bahrain and over the causeway, never any problems..

On the odd occasion I had to fly directly into Dammam, they tended to want to check any DVD's or CD's, but didnt seem to worry about HDD's. Dunno if that has changed, Im sure The Dean would be able to shed more up to date light on Riyadh specifically...

Re: Bringing external hard drives (USB) into Saudi.
 

In all my flights into Riyadh they've never asked to look at my external hard disk. They did once take a colleague's for inspection though.

Re: Bringing external hard drives (USB) into Saudi.
 

make sure you back it all up on other media and leave in your home country just in case...