Saudi Arabia

Imports

• Imported goods must be accompanied with an International Bill of Lading / Air Waybill , a Commercial Invoice, and a Packing List
• Importers in Saudi Arabia are required to have a Commercial Registration number
• Imported goods must conform to licensed activities of the importer
• All importers are required to include payment method “for imported goods” detailing bank name, payment date and reference number with Customs Declaration.
• Imported goods into Saudi Arabia must have the country of origin printed or embossed physically on each item; for example “made in China”, “made in Japan”, etc. The country of origin must also be stated on the Commercial Invoice.
• Validity period with ingredients should be labeled in Arabic for food items in accordance to regulations
• Shipments may only remain in customs for 21 days from the date of arrival into the country.
• All food supplements to individuals will be accepted with a limit of 15 KG per month without the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) approval.
• Commercial imports cannot be imported by foreigner residents in Saudi Arabia.
• Importing one mobile phones for personal can be accepted.
• Impporting two or more mobile phones considered as commercial, and will require commercial invoice including the manufacturing country, and a conformity Certificate.
• Shipments containing watches will require a certificate of origin.
• Personal supplements or cosmetics goods, are only allowed to be imported with a limited quantity. Three boxes per product with a max of five different product per shipment.
• HS Codes must be stated clearly on Commercial Invoice.

 

Import Duties and Fees

• The customs valuation is based on CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
• Customs duties is levied on CIF value
• Goods with declared value of more than a SAR 1,000 (equivalent to USD 270) will be treated as normal cargo goods, and will require a formal customs clearance

 

The following are trade agreements with Oman that can benefit from customs reduction rate. To benefit from customs reduction, Certificate of Origin accompanied with Commercial Invoice are required

• Arab League
• Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)

 

Imports Required Documents

• Original Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
• Copy of importer’s Commercial Registration
• Authorization letter attested by chamber of commerce in KSA
• Original Commercial Invoice attested by Chambre of Commerce from Singapore
• Original of the Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce from Singapore
• Commercial invoice
• Packing List
• Translated Commercial Invoice if requested by Saudi Customs

 

SASO certificate

Saudi Arabian Standard Organizations (SASO) is the regulatory authority controls quality of goods imported into Saudi Arabia. The conformity certificate is required to ensure all imported goods conform with Saudi standards below is an example of some commodity:

• Mobile phones
• Computers, Electronics and Electrical Products
• Auto spare parts
• Cosmetics
• Toys
• Chemical products
• Perishables

 

Exports

When exporting goods from Saudi Arabia some documents and regulations will be applied before the exit of goods to the destination.

1. Original Commercial Invoice
2. SAR 132 (equivalent to USD 75) per shipment presented to customs authorities
3. For certain goods, a strategic export license is required.

 

Important Notes

• All exported goods might be inspected by Customs Authorities