Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

We are getting ready to ship our personal effects from London to Riyadh and I wanted to find out how strict customs are in Saudi. I am aware that there are restrictions on printed material and DVDs but we were also told by our shipping company we couldn't bring games of chance (ie. Backgammon, Monopoly, etc) and medicine. Can anyone tell me if that's accurate? And also, how strict are customs with printed matter, such as children's books? And standard adult fiction (bookgroup type stuff). And same with DVDs, we have some for the children, and some for us, all certificate 15 or less. I'd really appreciate any information you may have about this. Thanks in advance.

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

sorry, but can only help based on what i've brought through the airport which is normal books (dime store novels and business magazines) without any problems. as for dvd's, my colleagues seem to recommend 'ripping' them to a hard drive and bringing that in, instead. not sure about the board games because my colleagues regularly play monopoly (which they brought in) but i haven't heard of that 'game of chance' thing.

so, i'll defer to others with more experience, (have you checked the saudi customs site? --> http://www.customs.gov.sa/CustomsNew/default_E.aspx)

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

got sent this the other day re saudi and customs

PROHIBITED ITEMS



Alcohol-containing items, flavoring extracts, cooking wines, wine making kits, books on manufacturing of such drinks or any foods with alcohol, etc.

Narcotics

All kinds of medicines

Medicine MUST be accompanied by doctor's prescription and is to be for personal use only

Radio transmitter/communication equipment (including walkie-talkies, short-wave, VHF, marine, police band equipment, etc.)

Binoculars or telescopic equipment

All types of statues

Objects of human or animal form (statues, figurines, carvings, etc.)

Games of chance (chess, dice, backgammon, etc.)

All weapons and firearms (real or ornamental), including guns, ammunition, fireworks, spears and other edged weapons, etc. (owner subject to investigation, fines, and/or imprisonment)

Pornographic material and literature including fashion magazines with people wearing undergarments or swimsuits

Politically sensitive material

All foodstuff

Stuffed animals

Articles contrary to Muslim or Saudi Arabian beliefs or morality will not be allowed into the country

Christmas trees/decorations or any other items (BIBLES) associated with religions other than the Muslim faith

Military uniforms or equipment of any kind

Other miscellaneous items (blueprints and designs, artificial pearls, etc.)

*ALL PRINTED MATTER, BOOKS, PICTURES, RECORDS, FILMS, TAPES, SLIDES, MOVIES, VIDEOS, COMPACT DISCS, COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND DISKETTES, ETC. ARE SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP AND CONFISCATION (MUST BE PACKED SEPARATELY FOR EASY ACCESS AND CLEARLY MARKED ON THE INVENTORY)

Such items will be removed from all incoming shipments at the time of Customs clearance and sent to the Ministry of Information for review

Once censorship has been completed, a separate delivery will be made at an additional charge to the customer

Cartons containing these articles should be clearly labeled as to contents and must not be mixed with other items

Any restricted or prohibited items in shipment will cause delays, may be subject to confiscation and may cause possible fines or penalties to customer's account.

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

guess that wouldn't include things like scrabble or pictionary, (basically, anything without a dice?)

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

****ing hell man, why no telescopes, games of chance, Objects of human or animal form?

What a STUPID country.

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

I agree with Spugsy but all the board games are available here so if they do lift yours you can replace them.

When we shipped our gear in they took my wife's CD cover of Rod Stewarts Atlantic crossing because they thought the cover picture was of a female! They did give her back the CD after it had been listened to.

We had a couple of the kids string puppets lifted along with some papyrus from Egypt which we replaced the following weekend in Khobar.

Also, in my personal experience, expect anything which is small (easily pocketable) and valuable to go missing. Draw your own conclusions.

The short answer is they are VERY strict and will go through everything.

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

Statues? Artificial pearls? Sorry, but I don't get it :confused:

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

the statues are part of the anti-iconography bit of islam, but can't figure out the pearls bit for the life of me...

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

Its the whole pearl necklace connotation, methinks....

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

Thanks for the responses, Eylesda did they take away any of your books? And were you fined for any of the stuff that they took away? Were you there when they went through all the stuff, or do you get called in after the fact? Thanks a lot

Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
 

I air freighted it in and they called AFTER they had opened the boxes up. Just to rub my nose in it I think.

They then showed me what they were to confiscate.

No they did not take books but ripped out pages they thought offending to Islam. My wife has now got several knitting pattern and dress making books without illustrtations:D

No fines though.