Saudi Arabia

79 rules, checked against Saudi Arabia’s own pages. Last verified September 12, 2026.

Before anything else

33 rules here carry a consequence heavy enough to state whether or not you asked.

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Pornographic material and unlicensed media are banned in Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Alcohol of any kind is banned entering Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Cannabis of any form is a banned narcotic under Saudi law.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 7

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Methamphetamine has no legal import route into Saudi Arabia.

Source · verified Sep 6

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Pepper spray and other irritant sprays are banned from traveler baggage.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 7

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Electric stun devices (stun guns) are banned from entering Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Electric stun weapons (tasers) are banned from entering Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Electric shock and stun devices are banned from traveler baggage.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 7

Prohibited in Saudi Arabia

Tear gas is banned from entering Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Declare cash or currency over SAR 40,000 when leaving Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 5

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Alcohol import is banned for all travelers entering Saudi Arabia.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 7

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's alprazolam limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's amphetamine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's buprenorphine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Disclose cash, bearer instruments, or precious metals over SAR 40,000.

Source · verified Sep 5

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Undeclared cash over SAR 40,000 in Saudi Arabia risks prison and fines.

Source · verified Sep 5

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's clonazepam limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's codeine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's dextroamphetamine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's diazepam limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's gabapentin limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's hydrocodone limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's ketamine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's lisdexamfetamine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's lorazepam limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia can execute those convicted of trafficking methamphetamine.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's methylphenidate limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's modafinil limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's morphine limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's oxycodone limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's pregabalin limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's tramadol limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in Saudi Arabia

Exceeding Saudi Arabia's zolpidem limit risks prosecution.

Source · verified Sep 6

The final decision rests with the officer.

Look up anything

You do not have to be bringing it.

Medication 51
Tobacco, vapes, and nicotine 1
Electronics 1
Cash and monetary instruments 5
Purchases and valuables 1
Duty-free allowances 2
Weapons and blades 1
Antiques and other restricted goods 7
Forms and documents 2
Vaccines and health 7
Plugs and power 1

Medication 51

A pharmacist checks each medicine before it is listed here. What follows is what the health authority publishes for every traveler.

ADHD stimulants
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Alprazolam
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Amphetamine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 10
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Atomoxetine
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Benzodiazepines
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Buprenorphine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 150
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Clonazepam
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Codeine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 6 grams
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Codeine products
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Dextroamphetamine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 10
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Dextromethorphan
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Diazepam
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 150
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Estradiol
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Gabapentin
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Health authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Hormone therapy
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Hydrocodone
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 225
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Insulin
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Insulin and needles
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Ketamine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Lisdexamfetamine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 10
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Lorazepam
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 37.5
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Medical cannabis
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Medication regime
- Controlled medicines need a permit
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Methylphenidate
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 1 gram
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Modafinil
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Morphine
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 1.5 grams
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Opioid painkillers
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Oxycodone
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 0.5 grams
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Permit
- SFDA personal-use clearance for narcotic/psychotropic medication (طلب فسح الأدوية المخدرة والمؤثرات العقلية للاستعمال الشخصي)
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Permit page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Pregabalin
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Prescription or letter
- Required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Quantity ceiling
- 30 days
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- 90 days
  
  leaving
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Semaglutide
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Sleep aids
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Testosterone
- Standing Not listed as restricted by SFDA
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Tramadol
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Zolpidem
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6

Tobacco, vapes, and nicotine 1

Cigarettes
- Tobacco allowance 200
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Electronics 1

Used personal effects
- Exempt
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Cash and monetary instruments 5

Cash declaration form
- نموذج الإفصاح عن المبالغ (Cash Disclosure Form)
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cash declaration page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gold
- Gold bullion, jewelry, and precious stones are not a separate category: they count toward the same SAR 40,000 combined cash/monetary-instrument declaration threshold.
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
What counts as cash
- Cash, Transferable financial instruments (bearer instruments, checks), Precious metals, Other currencies
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
When cash is declared
- Arriving and leaving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Purchases and valuables 1

Duty-free allowance
- SAR 3,000
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Duty-free allowances 2

Cigarettes
- Tobacco at the arrivals shop 200
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Duty free authority page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Weapons and blades 1

Laser pointer
- Standing Limited quantityProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Antiques and other restricted goods 7

Cigarettes
- Quantity limit 2,400
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Customs authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Drone
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
How you declare
- An electronic declaration
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Laser pointer
- Standing Limited quantity
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
- Quantity limit 1
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Loose tobacco
- Quantity limit 500 grams
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Forms and documents 2

Customs form
- نموذج الإقرار الجمركي (E-Declaration)
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Customs form page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Vaccines and health 7

Certificate from age
- 9 months
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Health notes for this destination
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Malaria
- CDC recommends travelers going to certain areas of Saudi Arabia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Transmission areas: the Asir and Jazan (Jizan) regions near the Yemen border only; no malaria transmission in Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, or Ta'if. Drug resistance to chloroquine; species P. falciparum (primarily), P. vivax (rare); recommended chemoprophylaxis: atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Meningococcal certificate
- Required
  
  age 1+
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever certificate
- Required arriving from a risk area
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever in transit
- Required on a connection over 12 hours
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever risk area
- No
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Plugs and power 1

Plug types
- A, B, G
  
  Source · verified Sep 12

From the Gulf Cooperation Council

Saudi Arabia applies these alongside its own rules. A national rule that states its own figure wins.

Alcohol, any kind
- Duty over the allowance 50%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
- Alcohol allowance 4 liters
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Beer
- Alcohol allowance 17.04 liters
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cash declaration threshold
- AED 60,000
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cigarettes
- Tobacco allowance 400
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
- Duty over the allowance 100%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cigars
- Tobacco allowance 50
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Duty over the allowance
- 5%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gift allowance
- AED 3,000
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gold
- Gold and other precious metals or stones are not a separate declaration category: they are included, alongside cash, cheques, promissory notes, and payment orders, in the single monetary-instrument threshold a passenger must declare.
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
How you declare
- Red and green channels
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Loose tobacco
- Tobacco allowance 500 grams
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
What counts as cash
- Cash, Cheques, Promissory notes, Payment orders, Precious metals, Precious stones
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
When cash is declared
- Arriving and leaving
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Who the threshold counts
- Each traveler
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Saudi Arabia publishes these

Who publishes these rules

Customs Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Biosecurity Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
Health Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
Civil aviation General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)

Official portals

ZATCA E-Declaration Electronic traveler customs and cash declaration
ZATCA - السلع الممنوعة والمقيدة (Prohibited and Restricted Goods) List of goods banned or restricted for personal import, including alcohol and hidden-camera devices
SFDA - Awareness Guide for Controlled (Restricted) Medications Public guide distinguishing ordinary prescription medicine from controlled/restricted medicine subject to narcotics-control clearance
MOFA Visa Platform (منصة التأشيرات) Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal for visa applications and status lookup; a client-rendered nav shell in this pass, so no visa-type/fee/lead-time text could be extracted from it

Sites that charge extra to “handle” a Saudi Arabia application are not official. The government issues these directly.

Airports in Saudi Arabia