(February 2026)
Saudi Arabia requires travelers arriving in or departing from the Kingdom to obtain an advance electronic permit through the SFDA Controlled Drugs System (CDS) when carrying medications classified as controlled, meaning those that contain narcotic or psychotropic substances.
This requirement does not apply to all prescription medications. It is limited strictly to medications that are officially classified as controlled under SFDA regulations.
Certain commonly prescribed medications—such as some strong pain relievers, anxiety or sleep medications, and certain ADHD treatments—may fall under the controlled category. However, not all medications within these treatment groups are classified as controlled; the determining factor is the specific medication’s SFDA classification.
If crew members or passengers are carrying medications that may be considered controlled, it is strongly recommended that they apply for CDS approval in advance and obtain electronic authorization prior to travel. A copy of the approval should be carried throughout the journey.
For prescription medications that are not classified as controlled, a CDS permit is generally not required. However, travelers are advised to carry the original prescription or a recent medical report and to keep medications in their original pharmacy-labeled packaging.
In cases where there is uncertainty regarding a medication’s classification, best practice is to treat the medication as potentially controlled and complete the CDS clearance process in advance to avoid delays or complications at Customs.
Official Reference:
SFDA Controlled Drugs System (CDS)
Please do not hesitate to contact FPI should you have any questions about this information or how it may impact your trips planned to this region.
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To learn more about FPI, FPC, or regarding the Compliance, Operations, Regulatory, and other Special Services Network (SSN) teams, please contact our Operations staff here at Flight Pro International.
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