The Saudi Customs Department has completed its preparations to receive millions of Haj pilgrims this year, with the installation of 71 inspection devices such as x-ray equipment, deployment of 50 women inspectors and the use of sniffer dogs to identity contraband at various entry points.
Issa Al-Qudabi, spokesman of the department, said in a statement that the department has developed programs and trained personnel to support the customs operations. This was to ensure the smooth entry of pilgrims from around the world, he said.
More than 800,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive on over 2,800 flights at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah. According to statistics from last year, a total of 4,800 flights are expected carrying more than 1.1 million passengers.
Al-Qudabi said the customs inspectors would use modern techniques, including x-ray machines and sniffer dogs, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and other entry points. Women inspectors will be deployed at King Abdul Aziz airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz airport in Madinah, the Jeddah Islamic Port, and other land customs centers.
Most of the items confiscated by customs inspectors during the pilgrimage season over the past few years have been prohibited medicines, unidentifiable powders, some cameras, damaged food items, and other products brought in for trading by pilgrims from various countries.
After a meeting on Wednesday of the committee on agriculture and food security at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saleh Al-Khalawi, director general of customs in the Customs Department, announced that plans are in place to speed up and simplify procedures, while closely monitoring imported foodstuffs at all entry ports.
The department recently completed the training of 8,432 trainees in 2012, he said.
Customs Department readies preparations for pilgrim reception
