Duty-free allowance in Saudi Arabia
Personal luggage and gifts up to SAR 3,000 are duty-free if personal, non-commercial and not restricted. ✅ Official
5% customs duty plus 15% VAT on the excess (plus a SAR 20 declaration fee). 🟣 Reported
Status
| Gold jewellery | declare | Declare jewellery and precious stones worth SAR 60,000 or more (on arrival and departure). ✅ Official |
| Gold bars & coins | declare | Declare gold bullion and precious metals worth SAR 60,000 or more. ✅ Official |
| Mobile phones | allowed | No customs duty on mobile phones, but 15% VAT applies above the allowance. 🟣 Reported |
| Laptops & tablets | allowed | No customs duty on laptops, but 15% VAT applies above the allowance. 🟣 Reported |
| Other electronics | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Watches | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Perfume & cosmetics | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Clothing & shoes | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Gifts & other goods | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Alcohol | prohibited | Alcohol is prohibited. Any quantity is confiscated and penalties may apply. 🟣 Reported |
| Cigarettes & tobacco | declare | About 200 cigarettes. Tobacco is an excise good and must be declared above that. ✅ Official |
| E-cigarettes / vapes | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Cash & currency | declare | Declare cash of SAR 60,000 or more when entering or leaving. Fines up to 50% of the value for not declaring. ✅ Official |
| Medicines | restricted | Personal-use medicines are usually allowed with a prescription. Controlled medicines (strong painkillers, sedatives, ADHD drugs) may need prior approval. ≈ Estimated |
| Packaged food & sweets | allowed | No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated |
| Meat, milk & dairy | prohibited | Pork and pork products are prohibited. 🟣 Reported |
| Plants, seeds & fruit | restricted | Plants, seeds and fresh fruit usually need a phytosanitary certificate. Declare them. ≈ Estimated |
| Drones | restricted | Drones need GACA/authority approval. ≈ Estimated |
| Weapons & ammunition | restricted | Firearms, ammunition and many knives need an import permit or licence issued in advance. ≈ Estimated |
| Narcotics & drugs | prohibited | Illegal drugs are prohibited in practically every country. Penalties can include long prison sentences or worse. ≈ Estimated |
Declare or pay online
- ZATCA e-Declaration (website or ZATCA app): Declare gifts/purchases over SAR 3,000, tobacco, cash or jewellery of SAR 60,000+ online before arriving or departing. Cash/jewellery and restricted items also need a visit to the declaration office. ✅ Official
Leaving Saudi Arabia
- Declare cash, gold or jewellery of SAR 60,000 or more when leaving Saudi Arabia. ✅ Official
⚖️ If you don't declare
- Not declaring cash or gold of SAR 60,000+: fine of 25% of the value for a first offence, up to 50% for repeat offences, and the money/gold can be seized.
- Undeclared goods: duty and penalties, with confiscation possible.
- Alcohol, drugs and pork: confiscation and criminal prosecution.
🟣 Reported Gulf News – ZATCA: fines 25% of value (first offence) up to 50%
Frequently asked questions
How much can I bring duty-free from to Saudi Arabia?
Personal luggage and gifts up to SAR 3,000 are duty-free if personal, non-commercial and not restricted.
How much cash can I carry to Saudi Arabia?
Declare cash of SAR 60,000 or more when entering or leaving. Fines up to 50% of the value for not declaring.
Can I pay customs duty online before travelling to Saudi Arabia?
ZATCA e-Declaration (website or ZATCA app): Declare gifts/purchases over SAR 3,000, tobacco, cash or jewellery of SAR 60,000+ online before arriving or departing. Cash/jewellery and restricted items also need a visit to the declaration office.
Popular routes
- Saudi Arabia → Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia → India
- Saudi Arabia → Bangladesh
- Pakistan → Saudi Arabia
- India → Saudi Arabia
- Bangladesh → Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia → United Arab Emirates
- United Arab Emirates → Saudi Arabia
Sources
- ✅ Official ZATCA – FAQ: passenger luggage exemption (SAR 3,000)
- 🟣 Reported Gulf News – ZATCA fees: 5% duty, 15% VAT; phones/laptops VAT only
- ✅ Official ZATCA – Traveller declaration
- 🟣 Reported EntryBrief – Saudi Arabia customs (reviewed Jul 2026)
Last checked: 2026-11-09