Official Zamzam Water, Ajwa Dates & Gold Customs Rules at Jeddah, Madinah & Dhaka Airport (2026)

By Farhan Momen (Founder & Travel Editor) · Published September 27, 2026 · 7 min read

Every Bangladeshi pilgrim returning from Makkah and Madinah wishes to bring blessed Zamzam water, Madinah Ajwa and Sukkari dates, and gold jewelry for family members back home. However, packing loose Zamzam bottles inside checked suitcases leads to immediate baggage confiscation at Jeddah and Madinah airport X-ray scanners. Verified against Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA - gaca.gov.sa) directives and Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR - nbr.gov.bd) Passenger Baggage Rules, this guide explains the official 5-liter Zamzam kiosk rule, date weight allowances, and duty-free gold limits at Dhaka Airport.

At the end of your Umrah or Hajj journey, returning smoothly through **Jeddah (JED)** or **Madinah (MED)** departure terminals and clearing **Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC)** customs requires following the official aviation and customs laws of both countries.

1. WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL GACA RULES FOR CARRYING ZAMZAM WATER FROM JEDDAH OR MADINAH AIRPORT? According to the **Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (gaca.gov.sa)** and the **King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Zamzam Water Project**: Rule 1: Strict Ban on Loose Bottles Inside Checked Suitcases: - Never place plastic bottles or gallons of Zamzam water inside your checked-in suitcases! High-speed airport X-ray scanners detect liquid containers inside luggage and automatically divert your bag off the conveyor belt. Rule 2: Buy Only the Official 5-Liter Sealed Zamzam Carton at the Airport Kiosk: - Present your passport and **Umrah e-Visa / Nusuk App Permit** at the official **Zamzam Sales Kiosk** located just outside the Departure Hall of Jeddah Terminal 1 (Gate B/C outer plaza) or Madinah Airport. - **Allowance & Official Price:** Strictly **1 sealed 5-liter box per pilgrim** costing **SAR 9.50 to SAR 12.50 (~BDT 350–400)** payable by card or cash. - **Free Dedicated Conveyor Belt:** Write your name, flight number, and mobile number in permanent marker on the carton and drop it at the dedicated **"Zamzam Only" conveyor counter** during airline check-in. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, Gulf Air, and Kuwait Airways carry this 5-liter box **100% FREE outside your 46kg baggage limit**.

2. HOW MANY KILOGRAMS OF MADINAH AJWA & SUKKARI DATES CAN YOU BRING TO BANGLADESH? Buying dates from the **Madinah Central Date Market (Souq Al-Tamr, 1 km south of Masjid an-Nabawi)** or Al-Kaaki wholesale shops saves 40% compared to hotel gift shops: - **Realistic 2026 Date Prices in Madinah:** • Grade-A Jumbo Ajwa Dates: **SAR 35 – SAR 50 per kg (~BDT 1,150 – 1,620/kg)**. • Medium Ajwa Dates: **SAR 22 – SAR 30 per kg (~BDT 720 – 980/kg)**. • Safawi (Kalmi) & Sukkari Rutab Dates: **SAR 12 – SAR 20 per kg (~BDT 390 – 650/kg)**. - **Packing & Customs Rule:** Pack dates in 1kg or 2kg vacuum-sealed packets inside your regular 23kg checked suitcases (not in cabin hand-carry if syrupy/wet). Bangladesh Customs (**nbr.gov.bd**) permits up to **5 kg to 10 kg of dates per passenger** for personal family consumption duty-free within your airline baggage weight limit.

3. WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL BANGLADESH NBR CUSTOMS RULE FOR GOLD JEWELRY & ELECTRONICS AT DHAKA AIRPORT? Under the updated **Bangladesh National Board of Revenue (NBR - nbr.gov.bd) Passenger (Non-Tourist) Baggage Rules**: - **22K / 21K Gold Ornaments (Jewelry):** An adult passenger arriving at Dhaka Airport (DAC) may bring up to **100 grams (approx. 8.57 Bhori) of gold ornaments** (not exceeding 12 pieces of a single item type) **duty-free** for personal/family use. - **Gold Bars / Bullion:** Strictly regulated; requires formal declaration at the Dhaka Customs Red Channel and payment of statutory customs duty per Bhori (11.664g), subject to maximum once-a-year passenger frequency limits. - **Saudi VAT Refund (15% Tax-Free ZATCA):** Always ask licensed Makkah/Madinah gold shops for an official digital QR invoice.