Advice from iadvisory’s global partner for export, UPS: Trading with Middle East

UPS, iadvisory’s global partner for export, provides some advice on trading with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Commodity-specific Conditions when Shipping to Qatar

To prevent delays and hold ups at customs, Singapore businesses must take note of the following restrictions on some commodities:

• Artworks with any religious themes are prohibited.
• Shipments of computers and computer parts are subject to screening from the concerned Ministry prior to clearing customs. Delays might occur in clearing these shipments.
• Shipments of all audio and video discs are subject to censorship regulations upon importation into Qatar. For CD-ROMs containing inter-company data, only an invoice with the CD-ROMs' value is required.
• Shipments of medical equipment are subject to screening from the concerned Ministry prior to clearing customs. Delays will occur in clearing these shipments.

Read full article on Qatar here.

Saudi Arabia’s Import Regulations

• All importers must acquire an import license from Saudi Arabia's Department of Trade and Industry.
• Labelling and marking are compulsory for all products being exported to Saudi Arabia. Labelling and other guidelines are governed by the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization.

Saudi Arabia’s Import Restrictions

Some types of products have additional restrictions when being imported into Saudi Arabia.

• Chemicals are subject to inspection and lab analysis by the Ministry of Health and sometimes require an import license.
• Clothing must have internal labels specifying country of origin.
• Communication items, including telephone sets and related parts require import licenses from the relevant Saudi ministries and are subject to inspection before customs clearances.
• Two-way radios, communication radios, wireless radio equipment are prohibited from import into Saudi Arabia.
• Machine parts must be accompanied by invoices describing the parts, components and the machines that they will be used for.

Read full article on Saudi Arabia here.

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