Saudi tobacco imports drop 71% in Q3 2017

Saudi imports of tobacco and its byproducts declined by 71 percent in Q3 after levying selective tax in the Kingdom, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported citing Issa Al-Issa, spokesperson of the customs authority.

The total value of tobacco imports from the beginning of July to mid-September reached SAR 217 million, down by SAR 534 million from a year earlier, he said.

Volume wise, imports of tobacco and its byproducts fell by 58.5 percent year-on-year to 4,400 tons from 10,500 tons.

On July 1, Saudi Arabia imposed a 100 percent selective tax on tobacco products, Argaam earlier reported.