Can Somebody share the list of things that I cant carry to RIYAD???

393POSTS

15 years ago

Landing in RIYAD next week and preparing the items I need to carry and dont want to carry.

I was told my luggage will be scanned fully in RIYAD airport and Can some body give me a list of things which I cant carry? Want to carry the laptop, External Hard Disk and some one told me they will scan the entire laptop and if thats the case, what is considered to be unacceptable in the laptop?

Other than Laptop, I was told not to carry pornography items, alcohol items, non-muslim holy books etc.

Is there an official comphrehensive list of things that I cant carry to RIYAD that I have access?

See also

Banking in KSA - Guide
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How much max cash (SAR) can you carry on yourself while leaving KSA? - 16 Replies
how much cash can I carry in hand while traveling to UAE from Riyadh? - 2 Replies
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CAN I CARRY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE WITH DOCTOR'S Prescription? - 0 Reply
Can somebody please advise me on where can i play TT in Riyadh - 7 Replies

gowiththeflowUK ViP

721POSTS

15 years ago

If you trail back a bit on this site, you will see lots of postings and threads that will answer your question.聽 I have sent you via PM (private message) some info which I hope will help you.聽 Welcome to Riyadh and KSA, I hope you will enjoy your stay as much as we (my husband & I) are.聽 It will be as good as you make it and you would serve yourself well to keep your mind open and positive but at all times apply common sense and an awareness and respect to the different cultural and religious environment that you will be entering into.聽 Make sure you are clear on your contract, salary, healthcare, accommodation and transport.聽 Do not be niave on these aspects as they will catch you short.聽 Always have a contingency plan as you never know.

Enjoy and travel safe.

CAF Serial expat

831POSTS

15 years ago

Welcome to the Forum and I will concur with Go!聽

Safe travels and let us know when you arrive in country!

CivEngr Serial expat

337POSTS

15 years ago

Don't bring brand new unwrapped items.聽 They might hit you up for import taxes.聽 So open it ahead of time.

beezer Serial expat

213POSTS

15 years ago

We should make a sticky of what you can and cannot bring. As well as how the "lifestyle" is here.

gowiththeflowUK ViP

721POSTS

15 years ago

beezer wrote:
We should make a sticky of what you can and cannot bring. As well as how the "lifestyle" is here.

Yes - I was trying to do something like that in the Guide, but I seem to have the wrong approach.聽 I need to check with Julien the best / most effective thing to do.聽 We know there is a wealth of research already done on past posts and threads, but will need to collate into fact sheets or something?

Julien - can you offer any guidance on this please?

uvnpsaradhi Serial expat

393POSTS

15 years ago

I second this thought as we might need to collate the information and publish like FAQs, Fact Sheets, 大咖福利影院 kind of information categorized into different categories like "cost of Living", "Dos and Donts", "life Style". This site has a lot of related forums , but some how it took some time for me to search all the information and osme times information was bits and pieces here and there and took a lot of time for me to collate and get to the summary of what a typical first comer to RIYAD like me is looking for.

Have some info to share and contribute to this initiative.

Nelson17 Contributor

127POSTS

15 years ago

Don't know where Riyad is? This is Riyadh.

FeeAcer ViP

6172POSTS

15 years ago

Hi to all and welcome to 大咖福利影院, uvnpsaradhi

Did you know that we have an interactive Guide for expatriate life in Saudi Arabia which contains various categories?

In each of the section of this guide, you will find a link to add an article; if you have double checked the information in your possession, please feel free to publish it in the adequate section!

It might be helpful to newcomers.

Have a nice week further
Arlette

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

15 years ago

#10

beezer wrote:
We should make a sticky of what you can and cannot bring. As well as how the "lifestyle" is here.

That's what the 'guide' is for ..please, add to it !!

gowiththeflowUK ViP

721POSTS

15 years ago

#11

Alliecat wrote:
beezer wrote:
We should make a sticky of what you can and cannot bring. As well as how the "lifestyle" is here.

That's what the 'guide' is for ..please, add to it !!

I am checking this with FreeAcer as I have tried adding to the Guide but the articles were rejected and they were only what we had already discussed on the post threads, so am seeking clarity to see where and how I breached the policy so I am clear for future reference.

beezer Serial expat

213POSTS

15 years ago

#12

I'm thinking there should be a sticky post on the forum itself that says something like:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMING TO RIYADH

That will then take you to the guide :p

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

15 years ago

#13

beezer wrote:
I'm thinking there should be a sticky post on the forum itself that says something like:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMING TO RIYADH

That will then take you to the guide :p

Nah.. we'd still get the 'how do I get a job in Saudia Arabia' posts!

MisterStretch ViP

805POSTS

15 years ago

#14

...and we'd get...
1) How much is an apartment/compound posts?
2) How can I get ahead on the list of a compound?
3) What schools are available for my kids?
4) How do you get a Saudi driving license?
5) Where can a I meet women in Saudi Arabia?

and of course, our all-time fave...

How do I get a visa to Saudi Arabia?

Don't bring pork or pork products.
Don't bring religious items.
Don't bring porno of any kind.
Don't bring sex toys.
Don't bring a sense of humor to use with immigration and customs officials...they have none.

uvnpsaradhi Serial expat

393POSTS

15 years ago

#15

Nelson17 wrote:
Don't know where Riyad is? This is Riyadh.

Sorry, still getting used to the names, should have been RIYADH.

MisterStretch ViP

805POSTS

15 years ago

#16

I've seen it spelled both ways, don't let them pull your leg too hard.

shahab.ali ViP

1079POSTS

15 years ago

#17

i will tell u wat all not to get in a very short and understandable sentence...

U CAN GET WATEVER A DECENT KID IS FREE TO DO/BRING IN FRONT OF THEIR ORTHODOX PARENTS WITHOUT ANY HITCH!

hope this makes things easier for you

Sparrow Serial expat

435POSTS

15 years ago

#18

Stretch you forgot:

* what is the cost of living in Saudi
* If my salary offer is SR6000 is that OK and can I live on it.

We dont know!

uvnpsaradhi Serial expat

393POSTS

15 years ago

#19

LANDED IN RIYAD

After all the speculation, preparation, finally landed in RIYADHY yesterday and to my surprise and by god's grace, the landing was safe and it all took 15 minutes to come out of RIYADH Airport. Most of the waiting was at waiting for the baggage only.

. My company has arranged a temporary furnished apartment at DABBAR and now I am in search of a 2 person bachelor accomodation as one of my friends is coming in the next 2 to 3 days. Can somebody tell me the places where we get a good 2 to 3 person sharing middle sized shared accomodation and we r planning to spend for between 1000 to 2000 SAR per month shared by two or three people.

Please point me to any sites that can offer these and let us know if any expats here have any contacts that will help me out.

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

15 years ago

#20

Furnished apartment rates for single bedroom is around SR 120 per day and may be reduced to SR 100 for stays exceeding 30 days. Two bedroomed suites with living room, kitchen, etc are around SR 220 per day. They can easily take 3 or 4 people since they offer two double beds in each room.

Guest8748 Guest

0POSTS

15 years ago

#21

Sparrow wrote:
Stretch you forgot:

* what is the cost of living in Saudi
* If my salary offer is SR6000 is that OK and can I live on it.

We dont know!

* which compounds have waiting lists.... erm ALL OF THEM!!!
* Can I bring my laptop/hard drive to Riyadh
* If my housing allowance is xxxx/month can I live in Al Hamra.... NO!!

any more??

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

15 years ago

#22

Your housing allowance needs to be xxx,xxx to live in Al Hamra

Guest8748 Guest

0POSTS

15 years ago

#23

musicman wrote:
Your housing allowance needs to be xxx,xxx to live in Al Hamra

so true!!

Fidgety Soul ViP

1950POSTS

15 years ago

#24

No matter what happens to u

NEVER NEVER bring Tranquilizer or u would be in big trouble

my friend who has been living in riyadh for 25 years speak very good Arabic reached Riyadh on 20th Oct and had his mother's medicine with him is still at Airport Jail,,,They have received the prescription from Pakistan but still waiting for the report expected from Riyadh Hospital...I have no clue what would happened to him.Too upset for him:(

uvnpsaradhi Serial expat

393POSTS

15 years ago

#25

nonz wrote:
No matter what happens to u

NEVER NEVER bring Tranquilizer or u would be in big trouble

my friend who has been living in riyadh for 25 years speak very good Arabic reached Riyadh on 20th Oct and had his mother's medicine with him is still at Airport Jail,,,They have received the prescription from Pakistan but still waiting for the report expected from Riyadh Hospital...I have no clue what would happened to him.Too upset for him:(

sad to hear this.

uvnpsaradhi Serial expat

393POSTS

15 years ago

#26

Things are settling down slowly. Got as house near to HARA, House is Comfortable, Took the routes to see how to travel to office, how to roam arround and for the first time today, came to the local office which is close to the Customer's office on my own to see how I can travel arroud and I am able to find the place easily.聽聽

Trying to setup some Internet connection and some VOIP softwares so that I can start talking and communicating to home regularly. For now, all communication is on mails and getting the communication and information flow arround. For now, very much Comfortable, feeling lonely when doesnt have enough work and hence just trying to make me busy all the times. Is going to meet some people today and tomorrow and hopefully will have some more company, atleast to talk arround.

thanks to all who helped me in this new journey, keep in touch............