DHL SAUDI ARABIA FACT SHEET

S A U D I A R A B I A

OMAN

YEMEN

SOMALIA

ETHIOPIA

ERITREA

SUDAN

EGYPT UAE

IRAN

IRAQ

QATAR

JORDAN

ISRAEL

Abha

Jizan

TaifMecca

Jeddah

MedinaYanbu Hofuf

Dammam

Jubail

Khafji

Buraidah

Ha’il

Sakakah

Riyadh

DHL GatewayMajor City

KEYCapital City

Country Profile

Capital Riyadh

Population 27.3 million

Area 2,149,690 sq km

Currency 1 Saudi riyal (SAR) = 20 qirsh = 100 halala

GDP US$ 927.8 billion (2013 est.)

Languages Arabic

Ethnic Groups Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Source: CIA World Factbook

DHL FACTS

Locations: 94

Gateways into the Country: 4

Number of Service Centres: 33

DHL Delivery Zone: 9

Vehicle Fleet: 494

OVERVIEW

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and the UK’s main trading partner in the Gulf: the UK is Saudi Arabia’s top export destination in DHL’s rankings. The country’s fast-growing economy is further boosted by reform and diversification – reducing dependence on oil and gas – market liberalisation and a thriving private sector.

Politically and financially stable – the Saudi riyal is one of the world’s most secure currencies – Saudi Arabia is also the EU’s main partner for driving regional security. The country is also becoming increasingly open and technologically advanced: it is currently the world’s largest consumer of YouTube content.

Recent and ongoing projects include a complete overhaul of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, health and education systems and the construction of six industrial and four economic cities, including King Abdullah Economic City which will host one of the world’s largest ports. There is explicit interest in recruiting UK consultants to contribute to these projects. These cities will create over a million jobs, homes for 4-5 million people (crucial as 65 per cent of the population is under 30) and contribute an estimated US$ 150 billion to the country’s GDP. Home to Mecca, Saudi Arabia is also the 17th most visited country in the world and is looking to expand its tourism offerings.

Moving forward, Saudi Arabia aims to increasingly power its energy-intensive economy through renewable sources, freeing up more oil for export.

Sources: DHL, Ernst & Young, Global Institute, GOV.UK, IMF, McKinsey Global Institute, UKTI, World Bank

DHL Saudi Arabia Fact Sheet 2

Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook

UK to Country Transit Times

The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected for Customs in Saudi Arabia to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the value of the shipment.

Riyahd Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days

Jeddah Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 4 days

Dhahran Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days

Medina Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 4 days

Hafar Al Batin Non-Dutiable: 4 days Dutiable: 4 days

TRADE INFORMATION ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION

A SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation) Certificate of Conformity is required for all goods entering the country www.intertek.com/government/product-conformity/exports/saudi-arabia

All goods valued over US$ 100 should be cleared on Importer of Record (IOR). Shipping to a private individual: receiver must provide tax ID/passport no. /residence ID. Businesses must provide the receiving company’s Commercial Registration (CR) number.

All special clearance shipments (Over Value, Duty Exempt & Temporary Import) should include a Commercial Invoice and Certificate of Origin (COO), and the authority letter from the receiver must be available before the shipment arrives in the country.

Prohibited ItemsThe list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of prohibited items.

• Alcoholic beverages• Antiques• Asbestos• Dangerous goods, hazardous or

combustible materials• Electronic Cigarettes• Firearms, or parts of• Furs• Gambling devices• Goods of Israeli origin/manufacture • Goods with the Saudi coat of arms• Imitation firearms/paraphernalia• Items offensive to the Muslim and Saudi culture,

including religious publications & figures• Ivory• Jewellery• Military uniforms• Pictures of Mecca, Medina or

the Saudi Royal Family• Pork products• Pornography• Postal envelopes• Precious metals & stones• Soil samples• TV Satellite Cards• Unprocessed tobacco

Exports from Saudi Arabia

US$ 376.3 billion (2013 est.)

Export commodities Petroleum and petroleum products.

Top Export Destinations United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Germany, USA, Netherlands, France, India, China, Egypt.

Imports into Saudi Arabia

US$ 147 billion (2013 est.)

Import commodities Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles.

Top Import Origins Germany, Australia, USA, India, Netherlands, China, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Italy.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE All shipments are subject to duty and taxes as Saudi Arabia Customs do not offer a duty free allowance.

For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes and other import fees) for shipments going to Saudi Arabia, use the free DHL Express Trade Automation Services (TAS) tool. tas.dhl.com TAS also provides information on regulation compliance and trade documentation.

DHL Saudi Arabia Fact Sheet 3

Restricted Items

8mm, 16mm & 35mm & entertainment films, audio cassettes, computer tapes & video cassettes, blank forms, compact discs, credit cards & credit card blanks (NI), computer software, diskettes, microfiche & microfilm, negatives including x-rays & filmsApproval from Saudi Ministry of Information required. Duty shipments must have the phrase ‘Made in [country of origin]’ engraved, permanently printed or on a non-removable sticker or label. Items must be originals, not counterfeits.

Items with special specifications where the ‘Made in’ phrase cannot be included will be accepted if this is mentioned on the outer packaging. For goods manufactured in the EU, the country of origin should be written in the goods specifications and COO.

All wireless computer equipment (including routers and modems) require CITC (Communication and Information Technology Commission) approval.

Computer components & parts Parts must include country of manufacture information. Invoice must be detailed by line item and individual value.

Cosmetics and non-hazardous chemicalsLaboratory guarantee letter, authorisation letter attested, original COO and invoice required.

Drugs: Prescription & non-prescription

Receiver must obtain Saudi Ministry of Health approval and present a copy of the invoice to the Ministry for inspection.

Foodstuffs, including food supplements, personal or commercialSaudi Ministry of Health approval required.

Grain samplesSend as goods. Receiver must obtain Import Permit from Saudi Ministry of Commerce before the shipment is accepted at origin; include a copy in the shipping documentation.

Medical or dental supplies & equipment State Commodity Code on invoice and Waybill.

Medical samples, including herbal supplements and medicines, personal or commercialPrior approval from the Saudi Ministry of Health required.

Mobile phones, accessories & components, radios & radio equipment or parts, slides, telecommunication equipment and televisions & television equipment Receiver must obtain authorities’ permission before the shipment is received into Customs; contact DHL for more information. Duty shipments must have the phrase ‘Made in [country of origin]’ engraved, permanently printed or on a non-removable sticker. COO and invoices required for shipments containing more than two mobile phones.

PassportsPassports sent to Jeddah are held by Customs and sent to Saudi Passport & Immigration for the receiver to collect from there. Passports sent via Riyadh and Dhahran are cleared as normal.

Plants & plant products, including seedsSend as goods. Receiver to provide Import Permit from Saudi Ministry of Agriculture before the shipment is accepted at origin; include a copy in the shipping documents.

Promotional or training filmsCustoms will impose duties (minimum: US$ 160) on promotional cassettes based on an assessment of value.

For communications equipment, toys, satellite dishes & equipment and x-ray machines please contact DHL Customer Services before shipping.

Valid from: 07/2014

For more information

If you need support or advice on trading with Saudi Arabia, help is available.

Contact the DHL Express team on 0844 248 0675

DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844

Contact your local Chambers of Commercewww.britishchambers.org.uk

Contact your local UKTIwww.ukti.gov.uk

Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information and to read our blog

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