Crash

I will be in Jeddah next week. Has anyone had any problems taking their laptop there on a business trip? I have done loads of research on this and it seems that some people have had their computers taken at customs so that they could be "looked" at, while others have not had any issues. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

The Dean

Hi Crash,

I heard a couple of similar stories (though unconfirmed). A mate of mine who comes to Jeddah at least twice a month (from DXB) flies to Riyadh, then changes to Jeddah (so he arrives in Jeddah on an internal flight not an international one).......... apparently that helps, bizarrely.

I've taken mine loads of times, but again only from Riyadh.

Crash

Thanks for the quick answer Dean, I guess I will have to risk it, as I need to have my internet access!

addyonline

Hi, just make sure that you do not have porn stuff downloaded.

The custom officer may ask you if you have films or picture, say no if you don't. They are good at reading people's face. They can tell if you are lying or not.

Warm regards

Simao

Just incase, make copies of the porno (if you had any) and offer it to the officer and he'd be happy lol. I think they only take the laptop not because of the law or anything but becaue they DO want to watch some porn.

addyonline

Yeah probably they will downloaded it on to their flash drive and delete yours.

Worldismine

As long as you don't fit the profile of someone who wants the royal family out you should be OK.

Confucius

As long as the laptop won't be doing any lapdancing, you should be scot free...

Crash

Thanks for the comments, I naively believed everything I read about how strict things are in KSA. But it appears that there is more going on than I thought!

nottmbantam

Just back from a three day jaunt in Jeddah. I'm led to believe that you can buy most things there, and Johnny Walkers is a bit of best seller.

Not seen any porn for sale though. Not that I was actively seeking, you understand...

addyonline

Let me give you some good tips.

1. Do not carry any magazine where you have naked girl on the cover.
2. If your dress up nicely then surely the officer will not say anything to you because ur are for business and the items in the laptop will sure contain business stuff.

But if you dress like a teenager then this could be led to asking if u have any porn.

Do not take any beer or alocholic stuff, u will be caught right away.

hoofie2002

Ditto
No mags with naked/semi naked/bare shouldered/bard ankled women [1st two are a no-no]
No booze of ANY kind [although I HAVE seen people get off the plane unable to stand due to being 120% pissed and let through customs etc].
No religious material of any kind [just to be safe]
No meat products made from a pig [seriously]

Look well-dressed and business-like and it will be a cursory search. Oh, and make DAMN sure you get to the immigration lines BEFORE the PIA jet from Karachi disgorges 350 people into the queues].

p.s. If its anything like it was in my time you will get badgered outside if you want a taxi - only take a proper white Taxi [called a limousine] if you are not being met. If in doubt, ask the airline staff.

p.p.s. I can remember getting the Sunday Times out there and the censor had put a black market through any picture of a woman immodestly dressed or johnnie walker adverts - but he always missed the cryptic Guiness adverts !

Dutchie

Hi!

Flew to Jeddah two weeks ago from Amsterdam airport, no problems with my laptop. Wasn't even asked to turn it on, only thing they really "love" are CD's which I didn't have any with me. I store all my data on a virtual server in Europe, keeps my laptop in virgin condition.

Dutchie

Crash

Thanks for the tips, I finally got into Jeddah last night after a long flight delay. Customs did not even acknowledge or ask about my laptop. I don't usually carry CD's so that was not an issue. I did get badgered to no end by a freelance taxi driver who told me he would offer me a cut-rate 200 riyal fare to my hotel. When I finally made it outside to the white taxi's I found out that the actual rate was only 100 riyals to almost any location in Jeddah. Jeddah is also much more liberal than what has been described, I saw many women about with no head covering at all. I was also told that the ladies may also be driving soon, I'm not sure if anyone would want to drive here though! The traffic is similar to Dubai, but here they actually sometimes hit each other as they jockey through traffic.

Dutchie

Jeddah has always been far more pro western then the rest of Saudi Arabia. I always enjoyed visiting that city. The cab drivers? Even the Asians are crooks. What I used to do is bargain a deal for a complete day, meter off I mean. Works out far more cheaper then taking several of them. Told you the laptop wouldn't be a big deal there.

Dutchie