The Saudi government has agreed to new controls regulating customs procedures, with the aim of aligning with the provisions of the GCC Common Customs Law system and its executive regulations.
The Common Customs Law System for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was issued to unify customs procedures and regulations within the GCC, in accordance with the relevant international agreements.
According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the new controls seek to clarify and simplify customs procedures for all parties concerned with the import and export of goods, and to indicate the mechanism for implementing all relevant customs procedures.
According to the new regulations, a copy of which was reviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, personal effects and household goods brought by citizens residing abroad for a period exceeding six months, and foreigners coming to reside in the Kingdom for the first time, are exempt from customs duties.
Parcels and personal postal consignments are also exempted according to the conditions and controls set forth in the Common Guide for Customs Procedures.
In addition, the new controls exempt commercial samples imported into the Kingdom, provided that their customs value does not exceed SAR 5,000 ($1,300).
To benefit from these exemptions, all documents supporting the relevant requests must be submitted in accordance with the statutory periods specified for them.
Goods may be entered and transported to any other place within the country without paying customs duties, after submitting a cash, bank, or documentary guarantee, in accordance with the provisions of the Common Customs Law and its Executive Regulations.
