New Delhi: Indian travellers bound for Saudi Arabia are being urged to exercise caution and comply with new border protocols following the kingdom’s introduction of a mandatory electronic clearance system for personal medications.The General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) officially notified India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of the launch of a digital platform designed to regulate the entry and exit of medical substances. Under the new directive, any traveller carrying medication for personal use must now obtain prior authorisation through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s (SFDA) dedicated portal at The advisory comes as a critical alert for the thousands of Indian citizens travelling for work, pilgrimage, or tourism, as many drugs legally available over the counter or by prescription in India are strictly controlled or prohibited in Saudi Arabia.The NCB emphasised that failure to secure electronic clearance, or carrying quantities exceeding prescribed limits, could result in severe regulatory action, including confiscation and legal prosecution. “It was also informed that carrying medicines in excess of prescribed limits may also attract regulatory action. As per the advisory, applications for permission are required to be submitted by the concerned individuals or their authorised representatives through the platform. Travellers are also advised to consult the official list of restricted and prohibited medicines issued by the Saudi authorities prior to undertaking travel,” it stated.Travellers are strongly advised to consult the official list of restricted substances and complete their online applications, including the submission of medical reports and valid prescriptions, well in advance of their departure to ensure compliance with international narcotics control regulations.
