Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 17
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.
#2
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 872
Re: 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.
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)
Last edited by still.unsure; Mar 11th 2009 at 9:34 am. Reason: wrong url
#3
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.
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.
#5
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.
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.
What a STUPID country.
#6
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 336
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.
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.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 462
Re: Shipping personal effects to Saudi - how strict at customs?
Statues? Artificial pearls? Sorry, but I don't get it
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 17
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
#11
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 336
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
No fines though.