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Post by touchstone on Dec 12, 2013 12:33:54 GMT
I was wondering if there is a U.S cash currency limit of what can be taken into Saudi Arabia?
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Ram723
Advanced Member
Posts: 69
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Post by Ram723 on Dec 13, 2013 7:51:59 GMT
If I may add another question, can you exchange USD to SR in route to Dammam (eg at big US airports or Amsterdam) just to get by just after getting to KSA initially for tips & first store runs? How much is recommended, included in small bills, for initial costs?
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Post by UmmRiyam on Dec 13, 2013 10:18:15 GMT
Reporting currency when entering or leaving Saudi Arabia Saudi regulations require those travelling to or from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to declare all currency, negotiable instruments or precious metal in an aggregate amount exceeding 60,000 Saudi Riyal [U.S. $16,000] (or the equivalent in another currency) to Saudi Customs. www.saudiembassy.net/services/ |
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Post by touchstone on Dec 13, 2013 12:18:05 GMT
Thanks UmmRiyam. As for getting Riyals in Amsterdam, I would think it'd be possible although most people on the forum have talked about getting it converted in Dammam airport. Anyone with any experiences converting currency in Amsterdam?
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Post by Hadia on Dec 13, 2013 18:25:42 GMT
Not sure about currency exchange in AMS--can you even do that in transit area, or do you have to go out of secured area? Sorry, no info to share on that scenario.
The line for currency exchange at DMM can move excrutiatingly slow. When you arrive, you will need to take care of meeting Saudi Aramco personnel at the airport, clearing immigration, and dealing with luggage retrieval, clearing customs, and aligning yourself with designated ground transportation. I advise against trying to stop and run to/wait for cash exchange. I recommend you talk with your local bank about ordering in a quany of Saudi riyals that you can purchase and bring with you. I recommend at least SR2000. Between tipping airport staff and making an initial grocery run, paying for taxi errands, grabbing a bite out, it doesn't take long to go through a couple thousand riyals.
We bank in the US (and KSA). Before we relocated, we let the bank know about our move, and requested authorization to use our visa check card in KSA. We've never once had a problem using it here. The fee is only $5 per transaction, so no bank breaker. Other banks may be different. If you hand carry some riyals and ensure that you'll be able to use your debit cards here, you should be fine for arrival. Congratulations, and welcome to Saudi Aramco.
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Ram723
Advanced Member
Posts: 69
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Post by Ram723 on Dec 13, 2013 22:26:46 GMT
Thank you for this info...
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Post by touchstone on Dec 15, 2013 0:51:46 GMT
I just found out that my bank has a service to order foreign currency. So, I ordered it through my banking site which can be picked up at the local branch.
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Post by vpainter on Dec 16, 2013 6:50:06 GMT
If you do not want to pay the $5 ATM fees every time you want cash. Bring in checks from your home bank. You can cash checks from U.S banks up to $2000USD (they give it to you in SR's) per week in the bank on camp. Checks aren't usually $5 a piece.
Also check with your bank about what your 24 hour limits are from ATMs and merchant purchases. If it is low $250 or below, you may want to ask them to raise your limit.
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Post by Hadia on Dec 16, 2013 16:34:56 GMT
I think it's worth five bucks ATM fee not to wait in line half an hour at NCB to cash a check, but that's just me...
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