There are many procedures involved in importing goods in another country. Similarly, those interested in import guide for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may find their regulations can be quite complex. From obtaining the documentation to final delivery, all the procedures require Saudi Arabia’s government authority supervision.
Basic import guide for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
First, everyone interested in import needs to register and get a license from the Ministry of Commerce and Investment. Second, the Saudi Arabian Department of Customs regulates everything regarding importing goods. No matter what type of goods you have, you will need appropriate permits. In general, whether you are importing goods for the business, or just relocating, reliable shipping companies can help. Four Winds Saudi Arabia and similar companies serve as a bridge between regulations and goods owners for years. Without their help, it might be virtually impossible to successfully handle all the paperwork and regulations.
There are three phases of the process for import in almost every nation:
- Acquiring of import permit and licenses
- Getting the documentation required for importation
- Dealing with import customs clearance procedures
General import requirements
To obtain permits, you need to fulfill several conditions. Normally, business activities should match the type of goods you plan to import. Business entities will need exporting invoices from the country of goods origins. Generally, all the certificates need to be in consolidation with Saudi Arabia specifications. Also, entire documentation, as well as labeling, should have appropriate pair written in Arabic. In the case of special goods like medicaments, you will need the approval of the Ministry of health.
Obtaining all the permits is a complex process.
For those who are moving to Saudi Arabia, shipping from the United States via air or sea is easy. Everything can be accomplished once you get all the documentation and appropriate logistic associate.
Documents required for import
This part is about obtaining and showing all the documents before, during, and after import. This is also important when relocating. Usually, the list includes, but is not limited to:
- Passport and visa.
- Residence and work permits.
- Various proofs and certificates of employment, health, and similar.
- Description of the content of packages and certificate of origin, checked by, and issues in Arabic.
- Inventory value, insurance, and certificate of conformity if needed.
- And many others which depend on the type of goods you are planning to import.
It’s important to realize that you need an agent to check and deal with regulations. After all, this is their field of expertise.
Customs regulations
Beside that owner must be present at the time of customs clearance, there are many other rules to follow:
- Everything will go to inspection and will be a subject of duty, even personal and household items.
- Usually, the projected values will depend on the local rates and the type of items.
- Labels should be visible and complete. Also, clearly stating name, address, country of origin, and complete content of packages.
Any failure to comply with regulations may lead to serious fines and prohibit entry of goods.
Knowing the rules is the best way to complete the import.
Finally, the government has announced an increase in the customs duty rates for an extensive range of goods. Because of this, importers should immediately start reviewing their customs. In addition, this import guide for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can help you with basic guidelines. But since there are many changes going on, proper research before importing should always be in the first place.
