Customs ban individuals from importing electronic cigarettes

Customs ban individuals from importing electronic cigarettes

JEDDAH – Saudi Customs have banned the import of shishah, e-cigarettes and their accessories through shipping companies and individuals' websites.

In the event that they are imported, they would be confiscated, a fine imposed, and a record of seizure will be registered. Companies licensed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) are allowed to import such products in commercial quantities.

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In another development, Saudi Customs revealed three cases that enable the importer to claim a refund of customs duties.

They are: "Re-exporting foreign goods abroad, goods that had a material error, technical errors or errors in evaluation; and goods for which an industrial exemption decision was issued", via the portal "Faseh."

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According to the mechanisms for exempting goods returned for export abroad, Saudi Customs have stipulated five reasons for reimbursement of their duties.

They include: “Re-exporting them within a calendar year from the date of payment of customs duties, the claim for refund of customs duties is made within six months from the date of re-export, the goods should be from one consignment, it should not be used locally, the value of the taxes levied is not less than SR18,750 ($5,000), and the exporter is also the importer or any other person when it is proven to the Saudi Customs that he has purchased them.”