LIFESTYLE | New Customs Rule for Imported Goods into Saudi Arabia

New Customs Rule for Imported Goods into Saudi Arabia

Working in the human resources department of my current company, I was exposed to the roller coaster-extra challenging task of getting containers out of customs. 

Of course, my research formative training for five years was maximized- from conceptualization (thinking how to start with the history of Customs) to review of related literature (thanks to google and threads of emails) to statement of the problem (which remains a problem).

Saudi Arabia of course comes close to what is expected of it. The processing of documents will give you enough time to go on vacation and come back to see that the progress does not give you a difficult time to track it from the beginning. Anyhow, my interesting encounter with customs is at par with my driving license- just interesting. 

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Effective November 3rd, 2012, the Saudi Customs Authority will require all Customs Declarations (bayan) to indicate payment method for imported goods arriving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Payment method can be cash or remittance or bank credit, or any other payment method. The Customs Declarations (bayan) needs also to indicate Bank name, payment date and reference number.

All supporting documents related to payment need to be attached to the Customs Declarations (bayan).

Failure to comply with this regulation may delay clearing incoming goods into Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This come as part of the Saudi Customs Authority efforts to meet the standards of anti-money-laundering activities.

The required doc’s should be one of the below to be provided from the consignee :

1 – Copy of the wire transfer receipt.
2 – Or a copy of the bank cheque.
3 – Or money on credit prof
4 – Or the client if he don’t have the above copies , he should write a letter as per the third attached to choose one of the ways that he bought his shipments t with.
5 – If he don’t have any of the above the client should provide us with an official attested letter how his shipments was paid for it and where , with a proper and convincing explanation.

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As of this writing, the shipment has been released by the customs already. I don't really know how the agent did that because I didn't really bother asking. What's important is the shipment is already out and my part already done. One thing out of my hair.