No, pepper spray is prohibited under Saudi Arabia’s Weapons and Explosives Law, enforced by the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Civil Defense. Non-lethal self-defense sprays are classified as restricted items, with possession or use subject to criminal penalties, including fines up to SAR 50,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. The 2023 amendments to the law explicitly expanded the definition of prohibited weapons to include chemical irritants, aligning with the Kingdom’s 2026 Vision priorities to curb unauthorized self-defense tools.
Key Regulations for Pepper Spray in Saudi Arabia
- Prohibition under Law: Defined as a “chemical weapon” under the 2023 amendments to the Weapons and Explosives Law, Article 4(12), banning possession without prior authorization.
- Enforcement by Civil Defense: The General Directorate of Civil Defense conducts inspections and confiscates prohibited items, with violations processed under Penal Code Article 38.
- Strict Import Controls: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and Customs Authority prohibit pepper spray imports, requiring importers to demonstrate compliance with non-lethal defense regulations—none approved to date.
Travelers carrying pepper spray face mandatory confiscation at entry points, with potential deportation for non-compliance. Exceptions exist only for licensed security personnel or entities with explicit Ministry of Interior approval.