Job Discussion Forums

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

I'm a bit concerned about the religion issue. How strict are they with checking the luggage now compared to five years ago? I was hoping to bring all my books, music, and "otc" medications just to have in the comfort of my home without having to interfere with anyone. Do they literally go through each luggage to see what you have? I was thinking that maybe I could pack some of my things in between clothes. Wink

buildbyflying · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject:

don't bring any bibles. or bacon. though I ended up bringing both. however it's not recommended. Checking is a crapshoot, so if you're feeling lucky...

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:15 am Post subject: Re: Acceptable materials to bring

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:55 am Post subject:

I brought in OTC and prescription medications regularly, and I was never checked. Doesn't mean it couldn't happen, but I think it is unlikely.

antonia v · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 49

Don't bring anything you absolutely would not want to lose--a Gutenberg Bible or piece of the true cross--but if you are willing to take the risk, there are a couple of techniques I learned for slipping things past the inspectors. One is to divert their attention with risque magazines. I don't mean pornography but maybe a fashion magazine like Cosmopolitan, etc. The other technique is to put whatever you don't want them to see under or in a bag of dirty, smelly socks and underwear. I'm not kidding. I did this sort of thing for years and it works.

Also, I never once had any inspector take the slightest interest in any medicines of any kind. The same with vitamins. It could happen, I suppose, but it never did to me.

vanVlaanderen · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 21

Do they go through your pockets? And what happens if they find something they don't like - a Bible, for example?

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:48 am Post subject:

I doubt that they would go through your pockets unless they had already found something suspicious in your luggage, or unless you appeared very intoxicated after the flight.

Saudi customs agents have an undeserved reputation. I have gone back and forth across the Bahrain border many, many times and I have hardly ever had anything inspected seriously. The one time they did look and find something they didn't like, they took it away and apologized profusely for doing so. Embarassed

Custom agents generally seem to just be doing their jobs and not particularly interested in finding small items that Westerners are bringing over the border. Large-scale smuggling is an entirely different matter. Trucks stay lined up for days to be thoroughly inspected.

ganesh77 · Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 37

Of course, before we come to KSA we believe it's a whole lot more oppressive than it actually is, and that the controls are a whole lot more strict than they actually are. Whether you come by air or land, you shouldn't expect any hassles and inconveniences upon entering the Kingdom. If you're flying, just go through the green customs area!

vanVlaanderen · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 21

I have heard of people bringing in a single Bible. From what I was told this was not a problem. Is this true? Or if they discover these are you thrown in jail?

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject:

Dear vanVlaanderen,
If you were to bring a Bible, and if it were to be discovered, it would be "confiscated" but no - you would not be "thrown in jail."
Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

I agree, you wouldn't be "thrown in jail" as that is for felons. As a misdemeanor for having a valid Saudi visa, you would, however, be "thrown in Saudi"! Very Happy

NCTBA

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject:

Dear NCTBA,

And, having taught in both (prison and the Kingdom), I'd have to say I'd prefer the former. At least in prison, I got to leave after eight hours.
Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

I know that customs agents tend to tighten things up at the Bahrain border around Christmas time. Any holiday items such as trees or decorations or even wrapped gifts will be confiscated.

However, for the rest of the year, customs just can't seem to keep up. With the drug trade and worries about terrorism, the Saudi border officials have enough on their hands without worrying too much about little indiscretions by Westerners. I know people who have brought back small and not-so-small quantities of beverages and breakfast foods with no problem whatsoever, although I still wouldn't recommend taking that kind of chance.

Ixnae · Joined: 31 May 2009 Posts: 16

Here's a list of OTC medicines I would like to bring. Could anyone tell me if any of these are not OTC in the Kingdom, or a no-no.

1. "Simply Sleep" or another OTC sleep medicine
2. Dramamine (my wife uses this on plane rides and sometimes buses)
3. Ibuprofen (motrin) for headaches
4. Pepcid AC or one of the other heartburn prevention OTC's
5. Anti-Diarrhea medicine (this I've been told in emails to bring - especially for the first three months or so while the body is getting used to the different bacteria).
6. OTC Allergy Medicine

Are any of these available OTC at pharmacies in the Kingdom?

Ix

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:30 am Post subject:

1. "Simply Sleep" or another OTC sleep medicine
Panadol Night is a similar product that is widely available
2. Dramamine (my wife uses this on plane rides and sometimes buses)
Don't know about this one, but I doubt it would get you in trouble to bring it in.
3. Ibuprofen (motrin) for headaches
Widely available under the name Brufen
4. Pepcid AC or one of the other heartburn prevention OTC's
All heartburn medicines are widely available.
5. Anti-Diarrhea medicine (this I've been told in emails to bring - especially for the first three months or so while the body is getting used to the different bacteria).
Immodium and Lomotil are available OTC in Saudi Arabia
6. OTC Allergy Medicine
Your particular brand may not be available, but you can find all kinds of OTC allergy medicines in KSA. No trouble bringing it in at all.

BTW, everything is available over the counter in Saudi Arabia except for narcotics and tranquilizers. You can buy just about anything you would ever need directly from any pharmacy without a prescription.