Job Discussion Forums

[shebab]

I will be moving to Saudi Arabia shortly and I would like to know how strict customs authorities are there about bringing in things like handicrafts (non religious in nature), vacation photos (non pornographic in nature ), and ceramic figurines, portraits of animals/people, music CDs, picture books, etc.

From reading the Saudi customs regulations, it seems forbidden to bring in stuffed animals, any object which shows a representation of the human or animal form, fashion catalogues, and similar items, but how strictly is this held in practice?

Does getting a customs agent to clear the items in Dammam make it easier for them to go through unscathed (as opposed to clearing them myself)? Does the fact that it�s coming from the UAE (as opposed to the US or another �Great Satan� country) make customs inspection in Saudi more lenient? Will anything be taken away for more detailed inspection and brought back to me later? If so, how long does that usually take?

I have no intention of smuggling in anything �haram;� I simply would like to make my stay more comfortable by bringing along my personal possessions. However, if there�s the chance they will be destroyed, I would rather just leave them out of my shipment.