How much Cash can I take out of Saudi Arabia?

Many of the expatriates, who are working in Saudi Arabia, generally transfer money or funds back to home country and families to support their families.

But to avoid taxes and duties on transfer of funds, many expats prefer to find someone to bring it with them who are planning to visit the home country soon. Sometimes they bring it with them if nobody is planning to go there.

On the other hand, one should know the limits set by customs laws as only an extra SR 10 can land you in jail for the crime of money laundering if you won’t declare the exact amount you are taking with you. 

One of our readers Haroon, asked us about the legality of the limit of transferring funds? He has asked if a person wants to leave the Kingdom for only less than a month (two to three weeks) by single exit reentry visa, what would be the maximum limit of amount, he can take out of Saudi Arabia.

While considering the amount of currency you can be taking out of any country, it should be noted that it mostly depends on what currency you are taking out? Different countries have their own civil aviation rules.

Many countries do not have strict laws of taking the national currency abroad. Foreign capital outflow has limitation to have stability in the exchange rate.

Like all countries in the world, The General Authority for Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabian has ordered to declare the amount of money you are carrying.  If the amount is more than allowed amount, you need to declare the amount.

In the case of Failure to make a declaration, it will subject them to seizure, and the carrier ‎will also be liable to legal punishments including confinement or jail.

In the case stated by Haroon, if you intend to take Saudi Riyals only and not pounds or dollars, the prescribed cash limit is SAR 60,000. It should be kept in mind that the prescribed limit of cash is for Cash and Gold both.  You cannot carry Gold and Cash of more than SR 60,000 altogether in one trip. 

GACA in Saudi Arabia has ordered the airlines whether domestic or international operating in the Kingdom to make it compulsory for passengers to declare all the jewelry, precious metals, stones and cash over SR60,000 keeping with them.

The declaration should be in statements or other documents which show the value of these things such as bills etc. So, if any person wants to carry above SR 60,000, then he must declare it to the immigration officials.

...[ Continue to next page ]  /  Source: lifeinsaudiarabia