Is Clonazepam legal in Saudi Arabia?
- Legal status
- Controlled psychotropic under Royal Decree M/39 (2005), Schedule 2 (psychotropic substances), Category D — Saudi adopts the 1971 Convention Schedule IV by reference for clonazepam. Capital exposure attaches to smuggling or trafficking-with-intent-to-promote under Article 37; no clonazepam/benzodiazepine capital case is documented, so drug-specific capital application is left to confirmation.
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised possession/use prosecuted under M/39 (imprisonment, fines, deportation for non-nationals). Smuggling or possession-with-intent-to-promote is death-eligible under Art. 37, reducible to not less than 15 years plus flogging and fine.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescribable controlled psychotropic (anticonvulsant/anxiolytic); import requires the SFDA Traveler's Permit — mandatory advance electronic clearance from 1 Nov 2025 — with an attested prescription/medical report and ID.
- Documentation
- Royal Decree M/39 (2005), Schedule 2 psychotropic substances (Category D = 1971 Convention Schedule IV), per SFDA General Provisions for the Schedules; Art. 37 penalties.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Saudi Arabia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →