The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) of Saudi Arabia has provided instructions on customs regulations for individuals who bring cash, gold, or jewelry into the country. According to ZATCA, anyone travelling with cash or valuable metals worth SAR 60,000 ($16,000) or more must report it to the authority in advance. The Saudi customs agency has stressed that passengers arriving or leaving the country with money or financial instruments must report them electronically before arriving at the entry or exit port.
The regulations of Saudi Arabian customs can be followed by using the ZATCA app on smartphones available on Apple and Google Play stores. Additionally, travellers can fill out a form on the Authority’s website or visit the declaration offices at customs ports when entering or leaving the country.
Reporting is compulsory for every individual carrying cash worth SAR 60,000 or more, or equivalent in other currencies, and for those carrying negotiable instruments, precious metals, gold bullions, precious stones, or fine jewellery, new or used, valued at SAR 60,000 or more or equivalent in foreign currency.
The official emphasized the importance of providing evidence to verify the authenticity of the origin of the declared items. If there is a failure to declare or incorrect declaration, there may be a monetary penalty. For a first violation, the fine will be 25% of the seized items’ value, and for repeated violations, it will be 50% of the value, as per Article 23/6 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law Regulations. This rule applies only if there is suspicion that the seized items are related to a crime or money laundering offense, which has been disproven.