Includes a list of goods that are prohibited from being exported to the country or are otherwise restricted.
Last Published: 1/23/2020

The importation of certain articles is either prohibited or requires special approval from the competent authorities
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Importing the following products requires special approval by Saudi authorities: agricultural seeds, live animals, books, periodicals, movies, and tapes; religious books and tapes; chemicals and harmful materials; pharmaceutical products; wireless equipment and radio-controlled model airplanes; horses; products containing alcohol (e.g., perfume); natural asphalt; and archaeological artifacts.

Saudi law prohibits importation of the following products: weapons, alcohol, narcotics, pork and pork products, pornographic materials, distillery equipment, retreaded or used tires, used clothing and certain sculptures.  Saudi Customs also does not allow importation of cars older than five years, salvaged cars, used police cars, taxis and rental cars.  For additional information, please review requirements on the SASO and Saudi Customs web sites.

Only Saudi nationals may import goods for resale and conduct direct marketing activities; however, foreign industrial entities may conduct trade in the products they manufacture, and nationals of GCC member states may engage in certain retail and trading activities.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain prohibited the importation of products from Qatar and severed their land, sea, and air connections with Qatar.  The action has disrupted GCC trade patterns and complicated doing business in the Gulf region for some U.S. companies.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.