What not to take to Saudi?
May 31st 2005, 4:08 pm
#1
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Joined: Jul 2004
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What not to take to Saudi?
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
May 31st 2005, 4:48 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2005
Location: recently returned expat
Posts: 98
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Do not carry bible etc, or any non muslim religious items.
Customs and immigration can take for ever so just relax. A good employer will
usually have sorted out entry for you.
May 31st 2005, 4:51 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2005
Location: recently returned expat
Posts: 98
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Forgot to mention. All luggage will be opened so have your keys ready.
I alway placed my undies near things they might confiscate and chatted all the time!
May 31st 2005, 4:51 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,596
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Laptop,
Unles it is totally, and I mean totally clean - no jokes etc. that you've saved, take it, just ensure you know a) what's on it and b) what the limits are.
Unles it is totally, and I mean totally clean - no jokes etc. that you've saved, take it, just ensure you know a) what's on it and b) what the limits are.
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
May 31st 2005, 5:06 pm
#5
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by MJC
Laptop,
Unles it is totally, and I mean totally clean - no jokes etc. that you've saved, take it, just ensure you know a) what's on it and b) what the limits are.
Unles it is totally, and I mean totally clean - no jokes etc. that you've saved, take it, just ensure you know a) what's on it and b) what the limits are.
Ned
May 31st 2005, 5:08 pm
#6
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Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by Piccolo
As a woman I sometimes had my magazines taken from me. Other times videos were quickly scanned but never a problem. Also had to keep husband away from officials if he had been sampling the good stuff too much on the plane. ( I am not kidding) Anyway the officials liked talking to a female, they could not tell I was so old! Initially when I went out, 2 months after hubby, I carried marriage cert. with me and I was separated from other passengers ( lone female) He had to claim me! I think the photo phones are being misused, hence the ban.
Do not carry bible etc, or any non muslim religious items.
Customs and immigration can take for ever so just relax. A good employer will
usually have sorted out entry for you.
Do not carry bible etc, or any non muslim religious items.
Customs and immigration can take for ever so just relax. A good employer will
usually have sorted out entry for you.
May 31st 2005, 5:20 pm
#7
Premium Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi soon
Posts: 4,123
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Your camera phone is Ok so long as the gallery is sterilised.....no naughty night time shots!!! The law was changed some 16 months ago..
Your laptop is ok so long as its sterilised...... A letter from your employer with the serial number all types in Arabic, saying its for works keeps all prying eyes away.
Books and magazines always seem to attract the most interest.....saggy boobs in a womans own add always cause an uproar.......
Don't take your vids, dvds , etcetera. They won't make it immediately as the customs like to watch, listen to all....
Good luck
TRIN
May 31st 2005, 5:31 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 90
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
No cameras, no books, no bible, no laptops....They definitely lost the plot, if it wasn't for the $$$ I'd tell them to shove it. I wonder what is going to happen when the oil runs out in not too distant future?
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
May 31st 2005, 5:36 pm
#9
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi soon
Posts: 4,123
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by stormer
No cameras, no books, no bible, no laptops....They definitely lost the plot, if it wasn't for the $$ I'd tell them to shove it. I wonder what is going to happen when the oil runs out in not too distant future?
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
May 31st 2005, 5:57 pm
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Poole, Dorset. (Ex. Dubai, but might be back soon)
Posts: 793
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by stormer
No cameras, no books, no bible, no laptops....They definitely lost the plot, if it wasn't for the $$$ I'd tell them to shove it. I wonder what is going to happen when the oil runs out in not too distant future?
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
btw I'm also in IT, SAP consultant, also considering offer in Oman, package you mentioned earlier sound OK but not too hot. Maybe add another 20k..
May 31st 2005, 5:59 pm
#11
UAE Expat
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 3,393
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Hello All,
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
Apart from the obvious (drugs, alcohol and porn) is there anything else that shouldn't be taken to Saudi.
I saw an article recently that said that picture phones were being confiscated by customs. I checked the Saudi customs web site but couldnt see anything useful on there.
I would like to take my laptop - any issues there? I understand that it was be scanned by customs, along with any disks/cd roms/dvd's for dubious content. The last thing I want here would be confiscation - my laptop is the centre of my digital universe!!
Ned
1. No condoms.
2. No anti pregnancy pills for your counterpart.
3. No books that relate to Israel.
4. No meat
5. No spices.
6. No pork
7. No Banking software (Mean that)
8. No Tobaco for self rolled sigs. (Like we Dutchies like)
To mention a few....
May 31st 2005, 6:10 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 90
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Are you serious? No cameras???
And the worst thing is while the other countries in the reagion are getting more open and recpotive to the rest of the world, Saudis are getting worse..
As one post said take them for all they're worth.
May 31st 2005, 6:12 pm
#13
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
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Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by Frans Wind
And as a man:
1. No condoms.
2. No anti pregnancy pills for your counterpart.
3. No books that relate to Israel.
4. No meat
5. No spices.
6. No pork
7. No Banking software (Mean that)
8. No Tobaco for self rolled sigs. (Like we Dutchies like)
To mention a few....
1. No condoms.
2. No anti pregnancy pills for your counterpart.
3. No books that relate to Israel.
4. No meat
5. No spices.
6. No pork
7. No Banking software (Mean that)
8. No Tobaco for self rolled sigs. (Like we Dutchies like)
To mention a few....
How about my ABN Amro e-detifier (that litle security gizmo you stick your bank card into to get a pin number for logon)
Ian
May 31st 2005, 7:02 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2005
Location: recently returned expat
Posts: 98
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by Frans Wind
And as a man:
1. No condoms.
2. No anti pregnancy pills for your counterpart.
3. No books that relate to Israel.
4. No meat
5. No spices.
6. No pork
7. No Banking software (Mean that)
8. No Tobaco for self rolled sigs. (Like we Dutchies like)
To mention a few....
1. No condoms.
2. No anti pregnancy pills for your counterpart.
3. No books that relate to Israel.
4. No meat
5. No spices.
6. No pork
7. No Banking software (Mean that)
8. No Tobaco for self rolled sigs. (Like we Dutchies like)
To mention a few....
Best Friend Sid!
Went to Arab engagements parties, looked for bride for Palestinian friend tried belly dancing. Invited to family gatherings, camped in the Empty Quarter, ate with the Bedouins. Was Mother Christmas at British Embassy.
Great time and paid off the mortgage.
.
May 31st 2005, 7:10 pm
#15
UAE Expat
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 3,393
Re: What not to take to Saudi?
Originally Posted by NedKelly63
Frans,
How about my ABN Amro e-detifier (that litle security gizmo you stick your bank card into to get a pin number for logon)
Ian
How about my ABN Amro e-detifier (that litle security gizmo you stick your bank card into to get a pin number for logon)
Ian