Sa'udi Arabia - Customs and duties

Sa'udi Arabia has increasingly used the tariff to protect local industries. The general tariff rate is 5%; new Sa'udi industries are protected by a 20% tariff rate. Importation of liquor, firearms, ammunition, and narcotics, and certain other items is strictly forbidden, as are all imports from Israel and South Africa. No import taxes are levied beyond import tariffs. However, the country is seeking admission into the World Trade Organization, so its trade policies and practices may change in the near future in attempts to accommodate to WTO rules.