Manama: A Saudi passenger had to pay 500,000 Egyptian pounds (Dh256,828) to customs officers at Cairo airport after he was caught trying to smuggle 60 mobile phones into Egypt.

The fine was double that of the market worth of the cellphones the 29-year-old passenger was trying to bring illegally into the country, the head of the customs directorate at the airport, Ahmad Abu Rihab, said, Saudi daily Okaz reported on Wednesday.

He said that the passenger was acting suspiciously and customs officers conducted a thorough search of his bags where they discovered the 60 cellphones, worth locally 250,000 Egyptian pounds.

The passenger admitted trying to smuggle the mobiles into the country and agreed to pay the fine to avoid a court case that could be filed against him for failing to inform customs about the cellphones.

Saudi Arabia’s authorities regularly urge Saudi citizens to comply with the rules applied in other countries regarding the import of goods and the amount of cash they are allowed to take in.

The funds that visitors carry with them has often been an issue as passengers prefer to have cash with them and airport authorities insist on a limit that should be respected.

Last year, a Saudi singer faced problems entering Egypt after he landed with more than $10,000 (Dh36,730) in his possession.

According to a security spokesperson, Rabeh Saqr had 120,000 Saudi Riyals (Dh117,504) and $17,000 (Dh62,441) in cash when he arrived at a Cairo airport.

He was reportedly told that he could not enter the country with the full amount and the singer decided to leave, boarding a flight to Dubai.

Under a new rule adopted a month earlier, Egypt bans all travellers from “bringing foreign currency in excess of $10,000 into the country or carrying it out.”

The decision forbids mailing cash and stipulates that funds over $10,000 must be transferred electronically.

Every Saudi travelling to another country should be aware of the currency control rules applied there ahead of their travel to ensure full compliance with the law, the foreign ministry said following the incident.

“Most countries demand that travellers taking in more than $10,000 declare them to the authorities at the entry points,” Osama Bin Ahmad Al Senoussi, the foreign ministry undersecretary for consular affairs, said, quoted by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Travellers should be fully aware of the rules so they are not arrested or taken to court and so that their money is not confiscated, he said.

Diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia should be consulted for relevant information, the official added.