What you need before you start
- Receiver’s full name, civil ID number, address and phone
- Itemised invoice and proof of value
- Shipping and insurance amounts
- Specific goods description and HS code
- Required product permit, if any
- Commercial importer and Fasah/broker readiness for business goods
How the SAR 1,000 rule works
ZATCA’s e-commerce buyer guidance says personal goods can be exempt from customs duty when the total value is below SAR 1,000 and no clearance permission is required. The total includes the goods, shipping and insurance. This is not a blanket VAT exemption.
Commercial quantities, repeated stock shipments and regulated goods should not rely on the personal-goods rule.
VAT can still be collected
ZATCA states that VAT applies unless a specific VAT exemption exists. It is calculated using the amounts in the customs declaration, including the relevant value, shipping, insurance, customs duty and declaration charges. Ask the express carrier for the customs declaration and VAT receipt.
Receiver information for express shipments
For personal express shipments, ZATCA says the authority needs the importer’s full name and civil ID number and does not require an ID-card copy. The transport company may still request identity verification for its own compliance, so ask why a document is required and how it will be handled.
Business imports need importer readiness
For commercial goods, confirm the Saudi importer, tariff conditions, permits and broker/Fasah process before pickup. ZATCA advises checking product-specific conditions in the customs tariff and allows advance submission through Fasah when the documents are available.
Personal or commercial?
| Question | Personal express parcel | Commercial shipment |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Non-commercial | Stock, resale or business use |
| Importer information | Full name and civil ID number | Registered importer and broker details |
| Customs duty | Possible exemption under stated conditions | Tariff-based |
| VAT | Generally applies unless exempt | Applies under VAT rules |
| Permits | Required for controlled goods | Product and importer approvals may apply |
Official sources to verify
We use primary government, customs, chamber and carrier sources where available. See our shipping-content review policy.