No, purchasing Everclear (190-proof ethanol) in Saudi Arabia is illegal under the General Authority for Zakat & Tax (GAZT) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulations, which prohibit all non-medical ethyl alcohol sales. Strict Islamic law and national alcohol bans apply uniformly across the Kingdom.
Key Regulations for Purchasing Everclear in Saudi Arabia
- Absolute Prohibition: The Saudi Anti-Narcotics Law (Royal Decree No. M/17, 1987) and subsequent amendments criminalize the production, import, sale, or possession of ethyl alcohol for non-medical use, including Everclear. Violations may result in imprisonment (up to 5 years) and fines (up to SAR 500,000).
- SFDA Enforcement: The SFDA classifies Everclear as a controlled substance under the Regulation of Pharmaceutical Products and Herbal Preparations, mandating zero tolerance for unlicensed ethanol. Customs seizures at ports like Jeddah Islamic Port are routine.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development (NCVCD) has signaled stricter ethanol monitoring under Vision 2030’s National Strategy for Combating Drugs, with AI-driven border surveillance and mandatory digital tracking for industrial ethanol users.