Job Discussion Forums

[egyptfan]

Last year there was a rumour going around that laptops were checked on arrival and confiscated if any pirated software programms, etc. were found.

Anyone with recent experience of this when arriving in Dammam or Riyadh? Obviously, one would not be foolish enough to bring in offensive material of any type but, since the laptop was bought originally in KSA, some of the programmes would be copies by default!

[trapezius]

I brought in a laptop a month ago (Jeddah), but it was not checked. If you are with a family, you and your belongings are less likely to be checked. Singles are checked more.

[Captain Willard]

Are they looking for pirated music and DVD's, or PC software?

This is troubling because software licensing agreements may vary based upon where the license was acquired. Presumably, the license must be valid in KSA. So how then do we know that a license is valid in KSA? I bought my current laptop in Asia, but I didn't see any licensing information anywhere. I do however, regularly get updates from Microsoft online, so I presume that my software is licensed. I don't know how I would prove that exactly. I suppose a call to Microsoft is in order before leaving.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[cmp45]

[Captain Willard]

I don't like to take chances with things like having my PC confiscated. It sounds like it best not to have any questionable pictures or videos on the laptop.


Beyond hardcore porn, what all do they consider objectionable material?

An R rated movie?

A girl in a bikini?

My young niece's knees?

It is important to know these things before entering.

[cmp45]

[mariowski]

Dear Dear

I understand you are worried about it. I am single and not once have they checked my laptop or software. Nevertheless, you should make sure you delete all your dirty bachelor movies before landing in the Holy Kingdom...

Love,

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

As I have mentioned on previous threads...years ago, I had a desktop confiscated and, ultimately, destroyed by folk at the airport in Jeddah. But, no one else has reported this.

Either I am snake-bit or the Ministry of the Interior has quietly sequestered the others...

NCTBA

[tannhauser]

I have never been checked entering KSA. What I will say is that you ought to be careful because it always happens when you know you are breaking the rules. For example, I have seen cars ripped apart on the bridge from Bahrain where they are checking for drugs, booze and other contraband. It's highly unlikely they will stop and search a Westerner for digital sins. The authorities know what people have on their computers and unless you are walking in with actual discs you have little to be worried about.

That said, it is probably not a good idea to bring Alicia Rhodes' entire discography on your laptop - just in case.

One cretin I knew sent a whole lot of DVDs by post into the country that got blocked and subsequently his boss had to get him out of some serious hot water. Another guy had some topless shots of the missus on his digital camera and had to pay SAR 500 for each infraction. Then again, I know of another case where someone was taking pictures of the industrial plant in Jubail. When the cops busted him for it and took him downtown, they were more interested in the photos of the plants. From what I heard they skipped his tasty shots of a Polish callgirl and told him not to be so stupid taking photos of prohibited buildings. They are fairly pragmatic and not real ball busters.

[Captain Willard]

I very much doubt it was destroyed. More likely, someone there got a free PC due to your sinful material. It sounds like there is a financial incentive for them to seize PC's, which is best avoided.

[egyptfan]

Thanks for the feedback.
Obviously, I would not bring any of the above mentioned items. Think it was just a rumour put round to help newbies avoid bringing in porno, picts, etc.

[Cleopatra]

When I read threads like this, I always think that we are in need of a sticky "FAQ" thread on the Saudi board. I don't know how many times the same question about bringing laptops/DVD's/books etc through customs has been asked over the years - and the answers are always the same.

What does anyone else think?

[trapezius]

^ That's a good idea! How to go about doing it? I guess someone has to contact one of the mods, and if they agree, they will make a sticky thread. And then I guess the mod will solicit info by pm which will be vetted by the mod and then posted in the thread. Who is going to take the lead?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

@ trap and Captain Willard:

Well, I say "destroyed" as I actually got it back within a few weeks, but within the interim, they had physically opened it up...cracking the casing in the process as the ham-fisted basturds, I guess, didn't have the proper tools. In the dusty environment of North Jeddah, dust started to infiltrate the machine and one day while at work, the cooling fan was finally overcome and failed, thereby, letting the system overheat and fry.

I blame the customs authorities at KAAA completely for taking a decently-working machine, and within a few months, turning it into a rather elaborate paper weight.

I should note that nothing illegal was noted upon it's return or I'd be tapping out this post from the darkest, dustiest saudi prison.

Why it was physically opened is open to speculation...

NCTBA