Saudi Arabia Airport Screening Procedures

Safety & Security Report

This report was produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at U.S. Embassy Riyadh.

Please be advised that Saudi Arabia’s airport and custom authorities have the authority to screen all electronic devices carried by arriving and departing foreign passengers. Saudi custom regulations prohibit the carrying of illicit materials into and out of the country.

The following personal electronic devices may be searched for illicit materials: cellular phones, cameras and memory cards, flash disks, external hard drives, laptops/notebooks/PC, iPod, iPod Touch, and MP3 players with memory cards.

All devices with pornographic materials will be confiscated immediately – no fines will be assessed. Individuals refusing to be searched will be detained, deported and black listed by the Saudi Arabian government.

OSAC constituents report that while they are in fact seldom screened for illicit materials, it is wise to remind all workers who are traveling into or out of Saudi Arabia that inspection by custom authorities is a possibility.  

Please contact Ryan Garvey, OSAC’s Information Security Coordinator, for technology-specific questions.

Please contact Brent Heminger, OSAC’s GCC, Iraq and Iran Coordinator, for questions-specific to Saudi Arabia security procedures.