The customs exemption for Jordanian expats lets a Jordanian returning for good from Saudi Arabia or any other country bring in used furniture, personal effects and household items free of customs duties and taxes, under the conditions of Jordan Customs. At Al Fares Al Dhahabi we move your furniture from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Qassim and Al Ahsa to any Jordanian governorate by road via the Al Haditha and Al Omari crossings or Halat Ammar and Al Mudawwara, and we prepare the inventory and exemption papers with you before shipping. For enquiries and bookings, call or WhatsApp us on 0553923364.
Who qualifies for the furniture exemption in Jordan?
- Jordanians returning to live permanently: after at least a year abroad under the current conditions.
- Married applicants: may use it once, with the furniture in their own name, their wife’s or a resident child’s.
- Single applicants: provided they prove they lived abroad on their own.
- Previous beneficiaries: may only claim again five years after the first exemption.
The conditions can change from time to time, so confirm them with Jordan Customs before shipping, and we review them with you at booking.
What does the exemption cover and what not?
| Items | Exemption |
|---|---|
| Used household furniture | covered, with no quantity limit |
| Used personal effects and household items | covered |
| Electrical appliances | two pieces of each type |
| Computers, cameras, satellite receivers and musical instruments | one piece of each type |
| Rugs | up to 50 square metres |
| Wall-to-wall carpet | up to 150 square metres |
| Cars | not covered by the furniture exemption, with their own rules |
| New appliances in their boxes | usually treated as goods and charged duty |
The key condition is that the items were used by their owner before entering Jordan, so don’t ship new appliances in their boxes expecting them to fall under the exemption.
How do you prove you have ended your residence abroad?
Customs asks for proof that you have returned to Jordan for good, and roughly one of these is accepted:
- Residence cancellation: stamped in the passport or on an official paper from Saudi Passports.
- End of employment: an end-of-service or resignation document from the employer abroad, or a certified work contract in Jordan.
- Housing in Jordan: a certified lease or a property deed for a home in Jordan.
- Children’s schooling: certified transfer or admission of the children to Jordanian schools, with the spouse in the country.
Documents needed for the customs exemption
- Proof of ending your residence abroad from the list above.
- The beneficiary’s passport, and the wife’s or son’s passport if the furniture is in their name, as customs stamps the exemption on it.
- A signed declaration that neither the beneficiary nor any family member has used the exemption in the past five years.
- A detailed inventory of the items, which we prepare with you while packing.
- The beneficiary’s full details and permanent address in Jordan.
If a document is missing, customs may take the duties as a deposit and give you a set period to submit the missing papers and recover the money; if you don’t, the deposit goes to the treasury. If you received a partial exemption, you can claim the rest within six months of arrival.
The inventory: the most important paper in the shipment
The inventory is what the customs officer at Al Omari or Al Mudawwara looks at, and the clearer it is, the faster clearance goes. We write it with you while packing:
- A number for every carton: marked with the room name.
- A description of contents: clothes, dishes, books, children’s toys.
- Appliances listed separately: by type and number, to show they are within the allowance.
- Rugs by area: so they stay within the limit.
How does the shipment travel from Saudi Arabia to Jordan?
| Collection city | Crossing | Approximate time to Amman |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh and Qassim | Al Haditha, then Al Omari | 3 – 6 days |
| Dammam and Al Ahsa | Al Haditha, then Al Omari | 4 – 7 days |
| Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah | Halat Ammar, then Al Mudawwara | 4 – 7 days |
Times include clearance at both crossings, and the Jordanian side clears faster when the exemption papers are ready before the truck arrives.
Prices for moving an expat’s furniture from Saudi Arabia to Jordan
| Shipment | From |
|---|---|
| Carton up to 10 kg | SAR 130 |
| One room of furniture | SAR 1,250 |
| Two- or three-bedroom flat | SAR 2,100 |
| Villa or whole house | SAR 2,900 |
These are starting prices from Qassim, slightly higher from other cities depending on distance, with details on our shipping company from Saudi Arabia to Jordan page.
Mistakes that cost you the exemption
- Shipping before cancelling your residence: so the shipment arrives without proof of return.
- Packing new appliances in their boxes: so they are treated as goods.
- Going over the limits: three fridges, or rugs beyond the allowed area.
- Splitting furniture across distant shipments: and missing the deadline.
- An incomplete or vague inventory: “household items” with no detail delays clearance.
Tips before shipping your furniture to Jordan
- Prepare your end-of-residence papers early: at least a week before loading.
- Choose the crossing nearest your city: Al Haditha for Riyadh and the east, Halat Ammar for Jeddah and the west.
- Keep original documents with you: not in the truck.
- Send urgent items by air: first-week essentials.
Why ship to Jordan with Al Fares Al Dhahabi?
- We know the exemption papers: and get the inventory right from the start.
- Regular trips: from every city in the Kingdom.
- Double packing: that withstands border inspection.
- Price before collection: with no extras.
Read also shipping company from Riyadh to Jordan, shipping company from Jeddah to Jordan and shipping company from Dammam to Jordan.
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Frequently asked questions about the customs exemption for Jordanian expats
How long must I have lived abroad to qualify?
At least a year under the current conditions, with proof that your residence abroad has ended.
Does the exemption cover a car?
No, the furniture exemption does not cover cars, which have their own customs rules.
How many electrical appliances are allowed?
Two pieces of each type, and one each of computers, cameras and satellite receivers.
Can I use the exemption more than once?
Once, and if you go back abroad and return you can claim again five years after the first exemption.
Are new appliances covered?
The exemption is for used items, and new ones in their boxes usually pay duty.
Which papers prove I have ended my residence?
Residence cancellation, an end-of-service document, a certified work contract or lease in Jordan, or the children’s transfer to Jordanian schools.
Can a single person use the exemption?
Yes, provided they prove they lived abroad on their own.
What happens if a document is missing?
The duties are paid as a deposit, which you recover if you submit the papers within the set period.
How long does shipping from Riyadh to Amman take?
3 to 6 days by road via the Al Haditha and Al Omari crossings.
Do you prepare the inventory?
Yes, we write it with you while packing, with the detail customs asks for.
