โ ๏ธProhibited and restricted items in international shipping
Prohibited items do not ship under any circumstances; restricted items ship on conditions: an approval, a prescription, or a particular mode of transport. The lists vary by shipping mode and destination country, with air the strictest. Full disclosure of the contents before packing is what protects your shipment from being held.
- โHazardous and flammable materials
- โWeapons and banned materials
- โBatteries, liquids and chemicals
- โMedicines, food and restricted products
Items that do not ship
These are not accepted in any shipment, and their presence puts the whole shipment at risk of being held.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Narcotics and psychotropic substances | Of every kind |
| Weapons, ammunition and explosives | Including fireworks and weapon parts |
| Flammable materials | Fuel, gas, paint, solvents, pressurised cylinders |
| Alcohol, pork and their products | Not shipped from Saudi Arabia |
| Counterfeit goods | Goods bearing forged trademarks |
| Cash, gold and jewellery | Not shipped among belongings and furniture |
| Material contrary to public morals or the law | Publications and materials banned at destination |
Items that ship on conditions
These are allowed once they meet their condition. Disclose them when you ask for a price.
| Item | Condition |
|---|---|
| Medicines | A prescription and a personal quantity; commercial quantities need approval from the relevant authority |
| Food | Non-perishable, or by refrigerated truck with a health certificate for quantities |
| Batteries and power banks | Restricted by type and capacity, most strictly by air |
| Perfume and cosmetics | In personal quantities, and restricted by air because they are flammable |
| Drones and radio devices | A permit from the relevant authority at destination |
| Plants and seeds | A phytosanitary certificate |
| Antiques and artefacts | Proof of ownership and an export permit |
| Medical equipment and devices | Approval from the health authority at destination for commercial import |
| Zamzam water | In the quantities and containers export regulations allow |
Do restrictions differ between air, road and sea?
Yes. What is accepted on a truck may not be accepted on an aircraft.
| Item | By air | By road | By sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids | No | No | With dangerous-goods classification and special arrangement |
| Loose batteries | Heavily restricted | Accepted with safe packing | Accepted with safe packing |
| Perfume in a personal quantity | Restricted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Dry food | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Perishable food | By special arrangement | By refrigerated truck | By refrigerated container |
| Strong magnets | Restricted | Accepted | Accepted |
Prohibited and restricted are not the same thing
An item may be banned outright, or allowed with conditions, documents and a particular mode.
Hazardous materials
Fuel, gases, explosives and flammable liquids.
Batteries
Restrictions by type, capacity and installation.
Medicines and food
A prescription, a permit or temperature conditions.
Weapons and banned items
Not accepted in any shipment.
๐A generic name is not enough for special materials
Send the name, composition, use, quantity and packaging, so the requirements are reviewed before the item is packed.
- โThe productโs full name
- โThe material and concentration
- โThe quantity and package size
- โThe safety data sheet, where there is one
Before handing over the shipment
Check the contents, and do not put an undeclared item inside another carton.
- โAsk about every battery and every liquid
- โSend photos of the packaging and its details
- โDo not write a misleading description on the list
- โDrain fuel tanks in equipment and motorcycles
- โLeave no belongings inside a car being shipped
Answers before you start your request
Which items are prohibited in international shipping from Saudi Arabia?+
Narcotics, weapons, ammunition and explosives, flammable materials, alcohol and pork, counterfeit goods, and cash and gold among belongings.
What is the difference between prohibited and restricted?+
A prohibited item does not ship at all. A restricted item ships once it meets its condition: a prescription, an approval or a particular mode of transport.
Are all liquids prohibited?+
No. Flammable ones are; others are accepted depending on type, quantity, packing and mode.
Can a phone battery or power bank be shipped?+
A battery inside its device is usually accepted. Loose batteries and power banks are heavily restricted by air, and accepted by road with safe packing.
Can medicines be shipped?+
With a prescription and in a personal quantity. Commercial quantities need approval from the relevant authority at destination.
Can food be shipped?+
Dry and tinned food, yes. Perishable food needs a refrigerated truck or container.
What happens if a prohibited item is found in the shipment?+
The whole shipment is held at the border, and the sender bears the consequences.
Who decides final acceptance?+
The carrier and the relevant authorities in the departure and destination countries, after reviewing correct details.