Filipino travelers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) traveling in and out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to declare cash and jewelries over SR60,000 (Saudi Riyals) or its equivalent in other currency upon arrival or departure to avoid confiscation or legal penalties.

Secretary of DoLE, Marianito D. Roque, issued the advisory after receiving the announcement from the Saudi Embassy in Manila. The announcement states that this act of the KSA government is part of the country’s battle against money laundering and funding of terrorist.

“The Kingdom is among the first few countries, which gave special attention to counter money laundering by committing to and complying with many rules and international conventions,” the Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has intensified its efforts to combat money laundering at the national, regional and international levels, the advisory stated.

Declaration forms can be found in all entry points in Saudi, such as airports and seaports. Necessary information includes name, passport numbers and addresses in Saudi Arabia, country of origin and destination, flight numbers, the type of currency carrying, the total amount in Saudi riyals, value of precious metals in Saudi riyals, source and the purpose of carrying them.

The Kingdom strictly implement the rule as it is in accordance with Article 14 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law of the Kingdom and those who will be caught violating will to pay customs duty on them on their return.

This is very important for OFWs and Filipino travelers to know since they are fond of buying expensive jewelries for their family and others are for investment purposes.