Doing Business In Saudi Arabia - Bna

Import Requirements and Documentation Return to top
There are no special import provisions and the Saudi Government committed, under
the WTO agreement, to terminate its requirement that importers obtain authentication
of their documents from Saudi embassies/consulates by December 2007. In the
meantime, unusual import issues should be worked out on a case-by-case basis with
Saudi Customs. On the Saudi side and notwithstanding the obligation to cease the
requirement of certified documents by the Saudi Consulates and Embassy in the U.S.,
Saudi Customs is informing U.S. exporters that they are still required. This has
created no small degree of confusion for the thousands of American companies
shipping to the Kingdom. The Saudi Government is mulling over the possibility of
having local chambers of commerce around the U.S. perform the authentication
process. However, that is only in the discussion stages. Under its WTO obligations,
Saudi Arabia has committed to implement a transparent and predictable import
licensing system. The following documents are required for exporting goods to Saudi
Arabia:
5/13/2008
- Certificate of origin;
- Commercial invoice (in triplicate) which must state the country of origin, name
of the carrier, brand and number of goods, and description of the goods
including weight and value;
- A clean bill of lading or airway bill;
- Documents indicating compliance with health regulations, if applicable;
- Insurance documents if shipments are sent CIF; and,
- Packing list.
The original documents must be accompanied by an Arabic translation of a radiation
certificate, if applicable.
Saudi exporters need to submit a copy of their commercial registration, which indicates
they are allowed to export. They are also required to submit a certificate of origin of
Saudi products (issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry). Certain items such
as antiques, Arabian horses, livestock, or subsidized items need special approval to
export, e.g. feed additives require a Certificate of Analysis that needs to be
authenticated by the Saudi Embassy/Consulate. Exports of oil, petroleum products,
natural gas and wheat all require export licenses. Saudi Arabia removed its export
ban on all scrap metals and will not apply export duties on these products.
U.S. Export Controls Return to top
In the area of export control policy and regulation, the Bureau of Industry and Security
(BIS) is charged with the implementation of U.S. export control policy on dual-use
commodities, software, technology, and commodities on the Control Commodities List.