Is Oxycodone legal in Saudi Arabia?
- Legal status
- Oxycodone is a controlled narcotic under the Law of Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Royal Decree M/39, 2005) and SFDA controlled-drug schedules — a strong opioid; aggravated drug trafficking is a capital offence that Saudi Arabia actively enforces, so aggravated oxycodone trafficking is death-eligible (capital by judicial determination; no published gram floor).
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised possession is prosecuted; aggravated narcotics trafficking is a capital offence, actively enforced (122 drug executions in 2024) — oxycodone as a narcotic-table strong opioid is within the death-eligible trafficking tier by aggravated-trafficking determination.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as an SFDA-controlled narcotic on prescription.
- Documentation
- TRAVELLER TRAP: an SFDA 'Traveler's Permit for Controlled Drugs' is mandatory (from 1 Nov 2025), roughly a 1-month max supply — carry a doctor's letter and original packaging; a prescription alone is insufficient.
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 →