Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Customs Contacts
Website: http://www.customs.gov.sa/sites/sc/en/
Address: Riyadh ZipCode: 11197, P.O Box: 3483
Tel: +966 11 4013334
Saudi Arabia is an Arab country situated in Western Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwai, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Chamber of Commerce, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other international organizations.
Tariffs
Customs tariffs are based on the Harmonised System, caculated ad valorem on the cost and freight (C&F) value of goods.
Basic consumer products such as rice, tea, unroasted coffee, barley corn, etc. are exempt of duty. No tariffs on equipment, ordnance, arms and munitions for military purposes, an export letter is required.
Import surcharges and port fees may be levied on some products.
The average customs duty rate is 5%, with a 20% rate being levied on commodities for which there are domestic substitutes.
Tobacco is subject to a 100 per cent import duty.
Shipments in transit are not subject to duty.
Import restrictions
All food products are eliminated from the pre-shipment inspection, although exporters are still subject to Saudi quality controls and testing.
The import of alcoholic beverages, flour, nutmeg, pork, 14-carat gold and a range of prefabricated buildings is prohibited.
Chemical/hazardous shipments require prior approval before being moved from the port of origin and are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
A ban exists on EU imports of meat.
Import licences are required for flour, rice and sugar.
The import of arms and ammunition is strictly controlled.
Import permits issued by the appropriate Saudi ministry are required for plants, seeds and agricultural machinery.
Product certification, labelling and packaging
Labelling
All products, materials and goods must contain the name of the country of manufacture.
The label should indicate the following:
- the consignee name and address, plus their telex or cable number
- details corresponding with those on the packing list
- the mode of packaging and the sensitivity/damageability of the contents
Labelling on foods must indicate, in both English and Arabic:
name of product
- contents
- net weight (in metric)
- production and expiry dates (in Arabic only)
- name of company and country of manufacture
Packaging
Packing should be strong and should guard against extreme heat in summer, humidity in winter and possible storage in the open.
Plants and plant products are prohibited as packing materials.
Dry bulk material should be packed in bags or bales and palletised or could be shipped in jumbo bags fitted with lifting points. The shipment of dry bulk cargo by container is prohibited.
The regulations governing the marking of packages are quite specific. Depicting human or animal forms and reproducing the government mark are prohibited.
Other general information:
Adhesive labels on foodstuffs are not permitted.
Sweets, sugars and tahini sweets are prohibited unless net weight in English and Arabic is clearly marked in outer cover of packet.
Product literature for pharmaceuticals must be printed in both English and Arabic. Literature for products used in the treatment of neurotic and terminal diseases is exempt.
Insecticides must include detailed information of contents and use on all cans and packages.
Operating manuals must accompany every piece of equipment, machinery, device, tool or instrument imported and must be printed in Arabic.
All cigarette packets must carry a legible indelible health warning in Arabic.
Special labelling for genetically modified food and non-genetically modified food products is required.
Special certificates
The following certification from the appropriate authorities is required:
Used clothing – clothes have been satisfactorily disinfected.
Consignments of meat and meat products for human consumption must be accompanied by a halal certificate.
All animals, animal products, plants and plant products (including seeds and grains) require health certification issued by the approved authority in the country of origin.
Pharmaceuticals must be accompanied by a certificate of price issued by the approved authority and legalised by the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
Methods of quoting and payment
Quotations should be in US dollars or Pound Sterling, CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) (Incoterms 2000). Goods for Riyadh are usually shipped via Dammam.
Documentary requirements
- Commercial invoice, indicating:
- the country of origin
- all marks and numbers
- net and gross weights in metric
- the value of consignments
- a full description of consignment
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- Original ocean bill of lading or master airway bill (forwarder's bill of lading or airway bill not acceptable)
- Packing list
Must be provided and must describe accurately and in detail the contents of each outer container and show the net weight, gross weight and CIF value.
- Certificate of origin
Five copies are required and must be certified by an approved authority and legalised by the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
Public health requirements
Imports of animals, animal products, plants and plant products require health certification issued by an approved authority in the country of origin.
Live plants and seeds may also require prior approval from the Plant Protection Branch, Saudi Ministry of Agriculture.
Import permits are issued by agricultural offices licensed by the Ministry of Commerce, provided the prior approval of the Ministry of Agricultural is obtained.
Shipments of meat and meat products for human consumption must be accompanied by a certificate stating that the animals have been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic rites. Frozen meat and food are subject to strict regulations governing their import and storage.
All imported foods must be approved by the Saudi health authorities.
Artificial sweeteners in food and beverages are subject to stringent restrictions. Pharmaceutical products require prior registration with and approval for local sales by, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.
Sources:
http://www.blueabaya.com/customs-regulations-in-saudi-arabia-import-and-export
http://www.s-ge.com/en/filefield-private/files/60412/field_blog_public_files/22080
