How much dry ice can I bring into Saudi Arabia?
- Official classification
- Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid)
Restricted
You can bring dry ice into Saudi Arabia only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 2.5 kilogram (5.51 lb)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- PackSafe - Dry Ice Federal Aviation Administration (US) — foreign regulator stating the ICAO/IATA-harmonised passenger limit
Questions about Dry ice in Saudi Arabia
- How much dry ice can I bring into Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia allows 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare dry ice at Saudi Arabia customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 2.5 kilograms of dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare dry ice in Saudi Arabia?
- Under Common Customs Law of the GCC States, Article 142, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence. Under Common Customs Law of the GCC States, Article 143: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence. Under Common Customs Law of the GCC States, Article 145: an administrative fine is imposed; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the Saudi Arabia allowance for dry ice?
- Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
- Can I post or ship dry ice to Saudi Arabia instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead.
- Can I take dry ice out of Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia publishes no separate rule for taking dry ice out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Saudi Arabia limit for dry ice apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) states it in PackSafe - Dry Ice. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Quantity limit: 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) per package and per passenger.”
- How does Saudi Arabia compare with other countries on dry ice?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit dry ice, 12 limit it and 8 let it through. Saudi Arabia is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — PackSafe - Dry Ice · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — PackSafe - Dry Ice · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — PackSafe - Dry Ice · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) — PackSafe - Dry Ice · verified 2026-09-19