Saudi Arabia: Import (product-based)

Animals and animal products (general)

A health certificate is required for animals and minimally processed animal products.

Pork and pork products are prohibited.

Meats and poultry require a "Halal" certificate stating that the meat was slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, and it must be legalized by a recognized Islamic Center.

Animal-based food products should be free of radiation.

Special approval is required for live animals. An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

There are special certificates required for imports of animal fodder additives, livestock, pets and horses.

(Last updated on 2023-04-01)

Animals: Live

A health certificate is required for animals.

Special approval is required for the importation of live animals.

An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

Special certificates may be required for the importation of livestock, pets and horses.

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Animal products: Meat

Pork and pork products are prohibited.

Meats and poultry require a "Halal" certificate stating that the meat was slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, and it must be legalized by a recognized Islamic Center.

Animal-based food products should be free of radiation.

General requirements for shipping meat and meat products (applicable to most countries):

• For importation, meat shipped fresh or frozen requires specified inspection and health certification (e.g., a meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in the destination country before release for distribution. Meat that has been processed and packaged in such a way as to prevent spoilage during distribution, is subject to generally applicable requirements for importation of processed foods.
• Endangered species: Meat from animals protected under CITES may not be shipped for commercial purposes. In addition, particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease. Such prohibitions vary and are subject to change on very short notice. Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Transportation: Meat that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout its transportation. Meat that arrives outside of that temperature range, or that has not been maintained continuously at the specified temperature, or that has spoiled, as determined by health officials in country of import, will be condemned. It must then be destroyed, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threat to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect their human and animal food supply from terrorist sabotage. These measures may require pre-importation registration of the exporter, packer and/or supplier, additional supplier documentation and notice of each shipment within a specified time period prior to shipment and/or importation.

(Last updated on 2016-09-19)

Animal products: Poultry

Poultry requires a "Halal" certificate stating that the meat was slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, and it must be legalized by a recognized Islamic Center.

Animal-based food products should be free of radiation.

(Last updated on 2015-12-01)

Animal feed and nutrients

An import license may be required for veterinary products and vaccines. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Endangered species

This country is a member of CITES (Convention on Int'l Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora), an international agreement between governments.

• Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of such species.
  • All member countries of the United Nations are party to the CITES treaty, with the exception of:
    • Dem. People's Rep. of Korea (North Korea), Micronesia, Haiti, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, South Sudan, East Timor, Turkmenistan, and Tuvalu.
    • UN observer Holy See (Vatican State) is also not a member of CITES.

• For more detailed information check with:
  • Convention on Int'l Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES), Int'l Environment House, 11 Chemin des Anémones, CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland; phone: +41 22 917 8139 and +41 22 917 8140; fax: +41 22 797 3417; email: info@cites.org

(Last updated on 2022-04-22)

Plants and plant products (general)

A phytosanitary certificate is required for importation of plants and minimally processed plant products.

Food items should be free of radiation.

Special approval is required for the import of food items and seeds. An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Plants and plant products, including seeds, for use as food

Special regulations apply to seeds.

Food items should be free of radiation. Special approval is required for seeds and other food items. An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Industry Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Tobacco products

Refer to: Import Customs tariff for UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait:

• Harmonized System Code, Customs Tariff, Chapter 24 - 2401.10 through 2403 99 - Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, ranging from unmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuse; cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes; and cigarettes containing tobacco.

(Last updated on 2018-12-11)

Food products (general)

Food imports must be registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), 3292 North Ring Rd., Al Nafal Unit (1), SA-13312-6288 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 203 8222; fax: +966 11 275 7238; email: food-dept@sfda.gov.sa

Food items should be free of radiation.

Special regulations apply to: GMO foods; meat and poultry products; prepackaged food; baby formula; special dietary foods; novel foods; and subsidized food items.

Strict product labeling and shelf-life regulations exist.

Labels must be in Arabic.

Exporters should coordinate closely with their customer in Saudi Arabia to make sure all requirements are met.

A free sale certificate may be required for general food products including fruits and vegetables.

Note: Additional documentation and labeling may be required for food products.

(Last updated on 2021-11-09)

Beverages

The importation of alcohol is prohibited.

• Saudi Arabia has a complete ban on alcoholic beverages. It is illegal to produce, import, or consume such beverages. A Muslim country strictly interpreting the Koran, it also is the home of Mecca the most important sacred site of the Islamic religion. Harsh punishments are inflicted on offenders caught making or drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia. Despite these restrictions there are a number of options for people wishing to drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia.
• Black-market alcohol, typically distilled from fermented sugar water, known as "Aragh," "Sidiki" or "Sid". It is produced by fermenting fruit juice and sugar, after distillation it is commonly cut 2 to 3 parts of water. American soldiers, in the American military bases, and South Korean workers, in Saudi Arabia create improvised moonshines from water, fruits (lemons and oranges), and yeast; a structly prohibited practice.

(Last updated on 2020-07-03)

Pharmaceuticals (general)

Special approval is required for the importation of pharmaceuticals.

• An import license is generally required from the:
  • Ministry of Health, SA-11176 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 2125555
    • See Import Licensing Guidelines.

• A free sale certificate and a certificate of analysis are required for pharmaceuticals, including cosmetics.
  • Alert: Consult with importer for exact requirements.

• Some drugs may be prohibited or restricted from import.
  • For additional information see:
    • Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), 3292 North Ring Rd., Al Nafal Unit (1), SA-13312-6288 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 203 8222; fax: +966 11 275 7238; email: food-dept@sfda.gov.sa

(Last updated on 2021-11-09)

Pharmaceuticals: Narcotics, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia

Illegal drugs are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2015-12-03)

Biologicals

For imports of biological agent an import license may be required from the:

• Ministry of Health, 2448, Zarga Alyamamah Street, Al Murabba, SA-11176 Riyadh; email: 937@moh.gov.sa

Also contact:

• Ministry of Commerce & Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Diagnostic and research specimens and samples

An import license from the Ministry of Health may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Cosmetics

Special approval is required for the importation of perfumes.

See Certificate of conformity for exports to Saudi Arabia (CoC requirements for cosmetics).

A free sale certificate is required for most cosmetics.

(Last updated on 2024-01-19)

Chemicals and chemical products (general)

Prior approval from port authorities is required for the importation of chemicals.

An import license is required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Chemicals, toxic

Prior approval from port authorities is required for the importation of dangerous chemicals.

(Last updated on 2016-03-14)

Fertilizers (general)

An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Explosives

An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Textiles, apparel and other textile articles (general)

Labels must be in Arabic and English and must include the following information: Fiber content, origin country, care instructions, and size.

(Last updated on 2019-08-07)

Textiles and Apparel: Used wearing apparel and textile products

Used clothing must carry a Certificate of Disinfection.

• Alert: Worn clothing and other worn textile articles, rags, clothing accessories, blankets and travelling rugs, household linen and articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials, including used all types of footwear and headgear, showing signs of appreciable wear, worn-out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials and presented in bulk or in bales, sacks or similar packaging (excluding carpets, other floor coverings and tapestries) are classified according to the Harmonized System description and coding system (HS Code) under Customs Tariff Number 6309 are prohibited from importation.

• Used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables; and worn articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile material are classified according to the Harmonized System description and coding system (HS Code) under Customs Tariff Number 6310 are allowed for importation.

(Last updated on 2020-04-02)

Building materials and construction supplies, including cement

Construction products are subject to standards and require a certificate of conformity.

Special approval is required for the importation of natural asphalt.

(Last updated on 2015-12-03)

Machinery and appliances (general)

The importation of distillery equipment for the purpose of distilling alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.

Distilling equipment used for medical purposes requires an import license from the:

• Ministry of Health, SA-11176 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 2125555

(Last updated on 2020-06-14)

Machinery and appliances: Telecommunications equipment, radios, TVs, and RF devices

Special approval is required for the importation of wireless equipment.

An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

Generally applicable import requirements for telecommunications equipment (applicable for most countries):

• Appliances that are connected to line power typically require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country. There are also safety standards on batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries, that are shipped included in such devices.
• There are two concerns regarding emissions, which also require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country: Radio frequency interference (RFI; even radios and TV receivers emit weak signals that can interfere with other devices) and transmitters (including low power devices like cell phones). There are international and/or national standards limiting spurious radio frequency emissions.
• TVs and computer monitors employing cathode ray tube emit very low level gamma radiation, and are subject to maximum radiation standards. (LED and plasma screens, which have all but replaced CRT TVs, do not emit gamma radiation).
• Labeling for point of sale packaging varies by import country, but typical requirements include:
  • Product description
  • Origin country
  • Certifications as to safety, RFI, possibly radiation
  • Warnings: Require safety warnings concerning shock, and radiation if gamma radiation is emitted
  • General consumer product labeling requirements, such as required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact
  • Intellectual property (IP) protection; counterfeit and mis-branded products prohibited
• Gray market goods restrictions may be in place. Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.
• Some countries now require recycling instructions on these types of products.

For these products it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Machinery and appliances, aerosols and other products containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances, such as aerosol that are responsible for ozone depletion. Because CFCs contribute to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere, the manufacture of such compounds has been phased out under the Montreal Protocol, and is being replaced with other products such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R-410A.

• Opened for signature on 16 Sep 1987, the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the framework for international cooperation in addressing ozone depletion was established. The Montreal Protocol entered into force on 01 Jan 1989, and has since undergone several revisions:
  • 1990 (London)
  • 1991 (Nairobi)
  • 1992 (Copenhagen)
  • 1993 (Bangkok)
  • 1995 (Vienna)
  • 1997 (Montreal)
  • 1998 (Australia)
  • 1999 (Beijing)
  • 2016 (Kigali)

• Note: As of 23 Jun 2015, all countries in the United Nations, the Cook Islands, Holy See, Niue and the European Union have ratified the original Montreal Protocol, with South Sudan being the last country to ratify the agreement, bringing the total to 197 countries. These countries have also ratified the London, Copenhagen, Montreal, and Beijing amendments.

(Last updated on 2023-10-14)

Vehicles (general)

Saudi Arabia:

• Motor vehicles are subject to standards and require a certificate of conformity.
• Ocean freight: Only one vehicle per container is permitted according to Saudi government rules.
• Imports of used cars older than 5 years are not permitted.
• Carriers may require a copy of vehicle certificate at the time of booking. Model, chassis number and vehicle date of production is required on the vehicle certificate and on the bill of lading.
• Remanufactured, rebuilt, and/or used motor vehicle parts are not permitted.

See Certificate of conformity for exports to Saudi Arabia for CoC requirements for vehicles.

General requirements (applies to most countries): There are a variety of requirements that typically or may apply to the import of automobiles and other highway vehicles and parts thereof, including:

• Safety: Minimum standards and test certification of tires, brakes, electrical systems, headlights, tail lights, safety belts, and crash worthiness, fuel systems/tanks, etc.
• Emissions: Maximum emission standards, a variety of chemicals, which periodically become more strict, and fuel systems/tanks that are sealed.
• Operational design: There may be operational requirements such as the side of the vehicle for the driver position.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to re-distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

For country-specific information see the International Trade Administration Office of Transportation and Machinery's publication: Compilation of Foreign Motor Vehicle Import Requirements.

(Last updated on 2024-01-19)

Vehicles: Agricultural vehicles and equipment

An import license may be required. See Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Medical devices and equipment

Approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Registration is also required.

An import license may be required from the:

• Ministry of Health, SA-11176 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 212 5555
  • Also see: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Import Licensing, Business Services Center, SA-11162 Riyadh; phone: +966 92 000 0667

Certain medical devices may only enter through certain ports.

• For additional information see the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), 3292 North Ring Rd., Al Nafal Unit (1), SA-13312-6288 Riyadh; phone: +966 11 203 8222; fax: +966 11 275 7238; email: food-dept@sfda.gov.sa

National provisions and requirements for medical devices PDF

A free sale certificate is required for medical devices.

Note: Special information for COVID-19: HS classification reference for Covid-19 medical supplies

(Last updated on 2023-04-11)

Arms and ammunition (general)

Import of weapons/firearms is prohibited.

(Last updated on 2015-12-03)

Artwork, antiques, cultural artifacts and collectors items

An import license is generally required for antiquities and works of art.

Harmonized VAT arrangement applies to all transactions in the EU involving works of art and antiques.

As a member of UNESCO, this country is a signatory of the World Heritage Convention, which defines the kind of natural or cultural sites that are to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. By signing this Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage.

The UNIDROIT, (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law), Convention on Stolen or Illicitly Exported Cultural Objects of 1995 calls for the return of illegally exported cultural objects.

• For reference contact:
  • UNESCO, Headquarters, 1 Rue Miollis, F-75732 Paris Cedex 15, France; phone: +33 145 681000; fax: +33 145 671690

(Last updated on 2023-03-07)

Media containing data, including books

Special approval is required for the importation of books, periodicals, religious books, and movies.

The importation of pornographic materials is prohibited.

(Last updated on 2015-12-03)

Media containing religious subject matter, including books

Special approval is required for the importation of religious books.

(Last updated on 2015-12-03)

Other products with special requirements or restrictions

Many products require a certificate of conformity. For additional information see Certificate of conformity for exports to Saudi Arabia.

(Last updated on 2024-01-19)