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Shipping boxes to and from Saudi Arabia

Almost every box sent to Saudi Arabia pays 15% VAT, whatever its value. Customs duty, usually 5%, starts once a shipment reaches SAR 1,000 including shipping. Saudis coming home and foreigners arriving to live there for the first time can bring used household goods free of both. Have the receiver's national ID or Iqama number ready, and leave out alcohol, narcotics, and adult material.

Typical transit: 2-4 business days from Europe and the Gulf; 3-6 from North America and Asia
Currency: SAR
Duty-free up to: Personal shipments worth less than SAR 1,000 (about $267) in total, counting the goods, shipping, and insurance, pay no customs duty, as long as no other agency has to approve the contents
Receiver ID: National ID number (Saudi citizens) or Iqama number (residents)

Price a shipment to Saudi Arabia

From

Boxes

Weight each (lb)

Box size

Choose where it's from and where it's going.

What it costs to ship boxes from the US to Saudi Arabia

1 medium box (16 × 16 × 16 in, 20 lb)$184.80delivered in 4 to 7 business days
5 medium boxes (30 lb each)$924.00 totalabout $184.80 a box

Includes pickup at your door, express delivery, fuel and prepared customs paperwork. Import duties and taxes, if any, are set by Saudi Arabia and paid by the receiver. Prices updated November 2, 2026.

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Sending to Saudi Arabia

Duties and taxes1 3 4 8 9 10

Duty-free threshold: Personal shipments worth less than SAR 1,000 (about $267) in total, counting the goods, shipping, and insurance, pay no customs duty, as long as no other agency has to approve the contents. ZATCA publishes this rule for personal goods bought online from abroad. VAT at 15% is due from the first riyal, whatever the value.
Import tax: VAT at 15%, charged on the CIF value plus customs duty and any customs fees. Customs duty is 5% of the CIF value for most goods under the GCC common external tariff. Tobacco pays 100%, and some goods, such as books and medicines, are on the duty-free list. Rates differ by item, so check ZATCA's tariff for anything unusual. Goods subject to excise tax also pay it on import.
How value is worked out: CIF: the value of the goods plus shipping and insurance to Saudi Arabia. The SAR 1,000 duty-free test uses this total. VAT is then charged on the CIF value plus customs duty, any excise tax, and customs and declaration fees. The customs declaration records the value in Saudi riyals, and ZATCA calculates duty and VAT from it. Customs value starts from the price paid; for gifts and used goods with no sale, customs uses other methods, so declare a fair second-hand value. Dollar figures in this guide are approximate.
Who pays: Shipments are sent DAP. The receiver pays any duties and taxes before or on delivery. The courier may add a clearance or disbursement fee.
Moving there?: Saudi citizens coming home after living abroad, and foreigners arriving to live in Saudi Arabia for the first time, can bring used personal effects and household goods free of customs duty and VAT. Goods must be used, in personal-use quantities, sent from the place you are moving from, and arrive within six months of your own arrival. Cars are excluded, and new items pay duty. Customs asks for a copy of your passport, national ID, or Iqama, proof you lived abroad (citizens) or that this is your first arrival (foreigners), receipts for any new items, and the shipping document. Scholarship students and employees returning at the end of their scholarship are also exempt from duty on their used belongings, with proof of the scholarship.

Worked example

Illustrative: a gift box of used clothes and kitchenware worth SAR 1,700 (about $453), plus SAR 300 (about $80) for shipping and insurance, so SAR 2,000 (about $533) CIF. Assumes every item falls under the 5% general rate, the receiver doesn't qualify for household-goods relief, and no ZATCA service fees apply.

Duty: 5% x SAR 2,000 = SAR 100. VAT: 15% x (SAR 2,000 + SAR 100) = SAR 315. Total SAR 415.

About SAR 415 (about $111), plus any courier fee. A box worth SAR 800 CIF would pay no duty but still owe SAR 120 (about $32) in VAT.

How customs clearance works in Saudi Arabia1 2 3 9

The express courier prepares the customs declaration, which can be filed before the shipment arrives, with the contents and the receiver's name and ID number. Its ZATCA-accredited customs broker clears the shipment, and the courier pays the duty and VAT, then bills the receiver. ZATCA says the courier must give the receiver a copy of the declaration and a VAT receipt, and that ZATCA charges nothing beyond what the declaration shows.

Formal entry: ZATCA sets no separate value threshold for courier shipments: the courier's broker files a declaration for every one. Personal imports outside the courier system, such as air or sea freight, need the owner registered on the Fasah platform with a licensed customs broker. Commercial quantities can't be cleared as personal goods.
How long it takes: ZATCA says a shipment with complete documents doesn't wait at the port. Delays come from late declarations, wrong or missing information, or waiting for another agency such as SFDA to approve the contents. Allow 1-2 business days in practice.
Inspections: Every courier shipment goes through ZATCA security screening after unloading. If one looks suspicious, the courier must open it in front of a ZATCA officer and then repack it, and customs can also open boxes to check the declaration. Medicines, drones, and other restricted goods wait for the approving agency. Household-goods shipments are inspected based on risk.
If duties go unpaid: The courier holds unpaid shipments, and storage, handling, and insurance charges can build up. Under the GCC Common Customs Law, storage charges can reach up to 50% of the goods' value, and goods left at customs past the official storage period can be sold at public auction. Ask the courier how long it holds boxes before returning them.

Moving to Saudi Arabia: claiming duty relief3 4 8 9

01
Check you qualify
Saudi citizens coming home after living abroad, or foreigners arriving to live in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Scholarship students and employees returning at the end of their scholarship have their own duty exemption.
02
Gather your papers
A copy of your passport, national ID, or Iqama; proof you lived abroad (citizens), that this is your first arrival (foreigners), or of your scholarship (scholars); and receipts for any new items.
03
Pack used, personal items only
Household quantities of used goods. Cars are excluded, and new items pay duty.
04
Time the shipment
The goods must arrive within six months of your own arrival. Outside that window they pay normal duty and VAT.
05
Send the papers to the courier
Share them before the boxes land so the courier's customs broker can claim the exemption on the declaration. Customs inspects based on risk, then releases the goods free of duty and VAT.

Documents to have ready1 3 4 11

Receiver's full name and Saudi national ID or Iqama number
Itemized packing list with a fair value for each item, marked as used personal effects or gifts
Receipts for any new items
For household-goods relief: a copy of the passport, national ID, or Iqama, plus proof of living abroad (returning citizens), proof of first arrival (new foreign residents), or proof of the scholarship (returning scholars)
SFDA clearance papers for medicines or cosmetics: the application form, a prescription or medical report no older than 6 months, an ID copy, the purchase invoice, and the waybill

National ID number (Saudi citizens) or Iqama number (residents): ZATCA needs the importer's full name and civil ID number on every personal courier shipment. It does not require a copy of the ID card itself, so the number is enough. Visitors without a Saudi ID should check with the courier before shipping. We ask for it during booking.

Onvoyo prepares the commercial invoice from your contents list. You print three copies, sign them, and send them with your boxes.

Official forms2 3 7 11

Submit Customs Declaration for Travelers (ZATCA e-service) (opens in a new tab)
Online declaration for travelers entering or leaving with cash or valuables of SAR 40,000 or more, goods over SAR 3,000, excise goods, or restricted items.
Application form for clearance or personal export (SFDA) (opens in a new tab)
Clearance of medicines, supplements, or cosmetics for personal use, or approval to send medicines abroad.
Common Customs Declaration for personal effects and household goods (opens in a new tab)
Declaration a customs broker or the owner's representative files remotely to clear used household goods under the exemption.
Fasah registration for personal importation (opens in a new tab)
Registration and broker authorization needed to clear personal imports that arrive by air or sea freight rather than by courier.

What you can pack, category by category1 5 6 10 11 12

What you can pack, by category
Category	Status	What to know
Clothing and shoesMore on clothes	Allowed	Used clothing for personal use is fine. Boxes under SAR 1,000 including shipping pay no duty but do pay 15% VAT.
Books and papersMore on books	Conditions	Allowed in personal quantities. Publications that break Ministry of Media rules or are seen as immoral are banned.
ElectronicsMore on electronics	Conditions	Personal devices are fine with batteries installed. Hidden cameras, eavesdropping devices, and radar detectors are banned, and drones need approval.
MedicationMore on medicine	Conditions	Needs SFDA personal-use clearance with a recent prescription, up to a 3-month supply. Controlled medicines can't be sent by courier.
FoodMore on food	Conditions	Nutmeg and guru (kola) nuts are banned, and agricultural products need ministry approval. Keep to small amounts of sealed, shop-bought food, and leave out anything with pork or alcohol.
Cosmetics and toiletriesMore on cosmetics	Conditions	SFDA personal-use clearance covers up to 20 packs and 15 kg. No unregistered medicinal creams, aerosols, or nail polish.
Alcohol and tobaccoMore on alcohol or tobacco	Not allowed	Alcohol is banned. Chewing tobacco is banned, other tobacco pays 100% duty, and most couriers refuse it. Travelers' allowances don't apply to shipments.
Sports and outdoor gearMore on sports and outdoor gear	Conditions	Clean used gear is fine. No fuel canisters, stun guns, tear gas, or lasers.
Children's items and toysMore on toys and baby gear	Allowed	Used toys are fine. Remove loose batteries and leave out toy guns and laser toys.
Documents and photosMore on documents and photos	Allowed	Personal papers and photos are fine. Nothing that could be seen as immoral.
Other	Conditions	Plants and seeds need ministry approval. Anything with a hidden camera, fireworks, and sex toys are banned. Declare anything unusual clearly.

Quantity limits1 3 6 7 11

Quantity limits for Saudi Arabia
Item	Limit
Personal shipments	Less than SAR 1,000 (about $267) including shipping and insurance: no customs duty if no other agency must approve the contents. VAT at 15% still applies.
Medicines (shipments)	Up to a 3-month supply with SFDA personal-use clearance, and no repeat request within that period.
Cosmetics (shipments)	Up to 20 packs, weighing no more than 15 kg in total, with SFDA personal-use clearance.
Personal goods and gifts (travelers only)	Up to SAR 3,000 (about $800) per traveler, non-commercial, free of duty and VAT. Does not apply to shipments.
Tobacco (travelers only)	Travelers must declare more than 200 cigarettes or 500 g of tobacco products. Does not apply to shipments.
Alcohol	None. Alcohol is banned for travelers and shipments alike.
Cash and valuables (travelers)	Declare cash, bearer instruments, gold bars, precious metals, gems, and jewelry worth SAR 40,000 (about $10,700) or more, on arrival and departure.

What you can't send to Saudi Arabia2 3 5 6 10 11 12

Not allowed

Aerosols, spray cans, and compressed gas cylinders
Flammable liquids and solids: fuel, lighter fluid, paint, nail polish, matches
Loose or spare lithium batteries and power banks not installed in a device
Cash, gift cards, checks, and other negotiable items
Firearms, ammunition, replicas, and weapon parts
Perishable food, and meat, dairy, or fresh produce
Cannabis, CBD, and THC products, even where they are legal at origin
Alcoholic drinks of any kind
Narcotics and intoxicating pills of any kind
Pornographic or immoral material, including on discs and storage devices
Sex toys and devices
Fireworks of any kind
Stun guns and other electric shock devices, and tear gas
Eavesdropping devices, and hidden cameras in watches, pens, glasses, and similar items
Radar detectors
Chewing tobacco
Nutmeg (whole or ground) and guru (kola) nuts
Counterfeit money, and counterfeit or fake goods
Pills, creams, herbs, and sexual tonics not registered with SFDA, and abortion pills
Vaccines, blood or plasma products, and medicines that must be used under medical supervision
Products with unproven medical claims, such as weight-loss or sexual products, and herbal mixtures of unknown ingredients

Allowed with conditions

Medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products: Need SFDA personal-use clearance: the application form, a prescription or medical report no older than 6 months showing the dose and length of treatment, an ID copy, the purchase invoice, and the waybill. The limit is a 3-month supply, with no repeat request in that period. Controlled narcotic and psychotropic medicines can't be sent by courier or post at all.
Cosmetics: SFDA personal-use clearance covers up to 20 packs weighing no more than 15 kg in total, with the application form, an ID copy, the invoice, and the waybill. Unregistered medicinal creams and sexual tonics are banned.
Drones: Restricted goods that need approval from the competent authority before import. Expect them to be held until approved.
Laser pointers: Arriving travelers may bring one red laser pen of up to 5 milliwatts. Other lasers are banned, so leave them out of boxes.
Books, films, and other media: Publications that break Ministry of Media rules, and anything seen as immoral, are banned. Keep books, including religious books, to personal quantities.
Plants, seeds, and other agricultural products: Need approval from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, including when sent by parcel. The ministry can dispose of agricultural items that arrive without approval.
Tobacco: Pays 100% customs duty under the GCC tariff, plus VAT. Chewing tobacco is banned outright, and most couriers refuse tobacco.
Commercial quantities: Several of the same new item can look commercial. ZATCA doesn't clear commercial quantities as personal goods; they need the full import process.
Household goods that miss a condition: Used household goods that don't meet every condition, for example arriving more than six months after you, pay normal duty and VAT.

Sending from Saudi Arabia

Shipping boxes out of Saudi Arabia7 8 11

Sending your own belongings out of Saudi Arabia is simple. Every export needs a customs declaration, and the express courier files it for you as your representative. Antiquities can't be exported, and medicines need SFDA approval before they leave.

Documents

Itemized packing list with a fair value for each item, marked as used personal effects or gifts
Sender's national ID, Iqama, or passport details, which the courier may ask for
For medicines: SFDA's personal-export approval, with the application form, a prescription or medical report no older than 6 months, an ID copy, and the purchase invoice
Receiver's full address and phone number

Can't leave the country

Antiquities are prohibited for export
Subsidized goods are controlled on export and must be declared by departing travelers
Medicines: up to a 3-month supply, with SFDA approval
Cash, bearer instruments, gold bars, precious metals, gems, and jewelry worth SAR 40,000 (about $10,700) or more must be declared when carried out; never pack them in boxes

Before pickup

Check the destination's customs rules. The receiving country decides duties.
Buying crafts or replicas that look old? Keep receipts that show they are modern.
Describe contents clearly. Vague lists slow checks.
Book pickups early before Eid holidays, when couriers get busy.

Addresses, delivery and timing

Writing the address

Use the receiver's Saudi National Address: building number and street, then the district, then the city with the postal code and the additional number. A Saudi mobile number is essential, because couriers call to arrange delivery.

Noura Example1234 Example Street, Apt. 5Al Olaya DistrictRiyadh 12345-6789Saudi ArabiaMobile: +966 50 000 0000

Example only; not a real address.

Delivery coverage

Fastest to: Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Taif, Tabuk, Abha.

Remote areas: Desert towns, border areas, and Red Sea islands can take a few extra days, often routed through a regional hub such as Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam.

Give the full National Address, including the building number, district, postal code, and additional number, plus a mobile number. An unreachable phone is a common cause of delay.

When things slow down

Expect slower service during Ramadan, when working hours are shorter, and for several days around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; the dates move each year with the lunar calendar. The Hajj season is busy in Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina. Founding Day (February 22), National Day (September 23), and the November sales also add delays. The weekend is Friday and Saturday.

Advice for your situation

Students

Scholarship students and employees returning to Saudi Arabia at the end of their scholarship are exempt from customs duty on the used belongings they bring back (cars excluded), with proof of the scholarship. Foreign students arriving to live there for the first time may qualify as new residents; check with ZATCA first.

Returning home

Saudis coming home after living abroad can bring used personal effects and household goods free of duty and VAT. Keep proof you lived abroad, and make sure the boxes arrive within six months of your return.

Expats and relocations

Foreigners arriving to live in Saudi Arabia for the first time get the same relief, with proof that this is their first arrival. New items and cars pay duty. Leaving? Personal boxes leave easily, but antiquities can't be exported.

Tips for a smooth delivery

Get the receiver's national ID or Iqama number before you book. The courier needs it for the customs declaration.
Declare honest values. Under SAR 1,000 including shipping there is no duty, but 15% VAT is still due.
Leave out alcohol, pork products, adult material, and anything with a hidden camera.
Sending medicine or cosmetics? Prepare the SFDA clearance papers first. Controlled medicines can't go by courier.
Moving to Saudi Arabia? Ship only used belongings, have them arrive within six months of you, and keep your residence papers ready.
Ask the courier for the customs declaration and the VAT receipt. ZATCA says couriers must provide them.

Shipping to and from Saudi Arabia: questions

Is there a duty-free limit for packages to Saudi Arabia?

For customs duty, yes: personal shipments worth less than SAR 1,000 (about $267), counting goods, shipping, and insurance, pay no duty if no other agency must approve them. VAT at 15% still applies from the first riyal.

How much will the receiver pay on a box worth more than SAR 1,000?

Usually 5% duty on the CIF value (goods plus shipping and insurance), then 15% VAT on the CIF value plus the duty. Tobacco pays more and some goods, such as books, pay no duty. The courier may add a fee.

What ID does the receiver need in Saudi Arabia?

The receiver's full name and civil ID number: the national ID for citizens or the Iqama number for residents. ZATCA says a copy of the ID card is not required, only the number.

Can I ship my household goods to Saudi Arabia tax-free when I move?

Yes, if you are a Saudi citizen coming home after living abroad or a foreigner arriving to live there for the first time. The goods must be used, in personal quantities, and arrive within six months of you. They are then free of duty and VAT. Cars and new items don't qualify.

Can I send medicine to Saudi Arabia?

Only with SFDA personal-use clearance: a prescription or medical report no older than 6 months, an ID copy, the invoice, and the waybill, up to a 3-month supply. Controlled narcotic and psychotropic medicines can't be sent by courier.

What can't I send to Saudi Arabia?

Alcohol, narcotics, pornographic material, sex toys, fireworks, stun guns, hidden cameras, radar detectors, chewing tobacco, nutmeg, and unregistered medicines are banned. Couriers also refuse aerosols, flammables, loose batteries, weapons, and cash.

How do I ship boxes from Saudi Arabia to another country?

Book an express courier and list every item with a fair value. The courier files the export customs declaration. Antiquities can't leave the country, and medicines need SFDA's personal-export approval.

How long does shipping boxes to Saudi Arabia take?

Express door-to-door usually takes 2-4 business days from Europe and the Gulf and 3-6 from North America and Asia, plus time for customs and any SFDA check.

Official help in Saudi Arabia

Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA): Contact Us (opens in a new tab)
Unified number 19993, email info@zatca.gov.sa, or @Zatca_care on X.

Official sources

Every section above is checked against these official pages. Rules change, and customs in Saudi Arabia makes the final decision on every shipment. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

1.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
E-Store Customers (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
2.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Personal Importation (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
3.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Luggage (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
4.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Scholars (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
5.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Restricted or Prohibited Goods (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
6.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Guidelines for Travelers (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
7.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Submit Customs Declaration for Travelers (opens in a new tab)
Customs · checked September 27, 2026
8.
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
Guideline on Imports and Exports under VAT Provision (Second Edition, May 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Tax authority · checked September 27, 2026
9.
Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Common Customs Law of the GCC States: Rules of Implementation and Explanatory Notes Thereof (opens in a new tab)
Legislation · checked September 27, 2026
10.
Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council
The Customs Union of the GCC Member States (opens in a new tab)
Government · checked September 27, 2026
11.
Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
Conditions and Requirements for the Clearance or Exportation of Individuals for Personal Use (opens in a new tab)
Health regulator · checked September 27, 2026
12.
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
Implementing Regulations of the Agriculture Law (opens in a new tab)
Biosecurity · checked September 27, 2026

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