Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - International Franchise Association

Saudi Customs requires a deposit for these goods (equivalent to the applicable tariff rate on the
total value of the goods). This deposit is refundable when the exhibition is over and upon
showing a document that the owner of the equipment officially participated in a trade show.
Reimbursement takes between two to four weeks. Additionally, the customs authorities will
collect handling charges.
Labeling and Marking Requirements Return to top
Please refer to Standards sub-section below.
Prohibited and Restricted Imports Return to top
The importation of certain articles is either prohibited or requires special approval from
competent authorities. Importing the following products requires special approval by Saudi
authorities: agriculture seeds, live animals, books, periodicals, movies, and tapes; religious
books and tapes; chemicals and harmful materials; pharmaceutical products; wireless
equipment, and radio-controlled model airplanes; horses; products containing alcohol (e.g.,
perfume); natural asphalt; and archaeological artifacts.
There are health and sanitation regulations for all imported foods. For beef and poultry meat
imported from the United States, Saudi Arabia has agreed to recognize a two-certificate
approach: (1) an official FSIS export certificate issued for beef and poultry meat and (2) a
producer or manufacturer self-certification to cover any additional requirements not related to
food safety or animal health issues such as animal protein free feed declaration. Moreover, the
government has also agreed that any maximum residue requirements for synthetic hormones in
animal products would be consistent with international standards. Companies can request a
copy of the labeling requirements by contacting SASO at Tel: (966 1) 452-0132 or Fax: (966 1)
452-0196.
Saudi law prohibits importation of the following products: weapons, alcohol, narcotics, pork,
pornographic materials, distillery equipment, used clothing and certain sculptures.
Customs Regulations and Contact Information Return to top
The Department of Customs at the Ministry of Finance appraises all merchandise moving
through Saudi customs ports.
Import valuation is primarily used for collection of import duties and often does not reflect the
actual transaction value. Saudi customs valuation procedures are not WTO-consistent, nor are
they based on invoice value. Minimum prices are used, and customs agents rely on their own
experience and local prices, as well as some contact with manufacturers, to assess import
tariffs. For statistical purposes, the valuation of imported merchandise is the Cost-Insurance-
Freight (CIF) value. The value of exported merchandise is based on Free On Board valuation
(FOB). The Saudi tariff nomenclature is consistent with the Harmonized System. There does
not seem to be a significant body of rule making or documentation available. Appeals are
frequently made orally, and an appeals committee, under the Deputy Director General of
Customs, meets frequently.
Although Saudi Arabia is a member of the Customs Coordination Council, Saudi Customs
officers do not have the authority to do investigative work on business premises; nor do they
have enforcement powers. These powers are vested in the Ministry of Interior.