The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Yemen duty-free (adults): 600 cigarettes or 60 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 1L of alcoholic beverages (foreigners non-resident in Yemen only; not during Ramadan); 1 bottle of perfume or eau de toilette; 350 g of gold jewelry (women only); Gifts up to YER 100,000 if used non-commercially. Valuables should be declared and registered upon entry so that there are no problems upon exit.
Prohibited Imports
Unlicensed firearms, drugs (except qat), pornographic material (ie almost every Western magazine. Videos and DVDs will be inspected upon entry) and products of Israeli origin. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
Chemin du Jonc 19
Le Grand-Saconnex
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 799 05 10. Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
Reisnerstrasse 18-20, 1st floor, Top 3-4
Vienna
Austria
+43 (0)1 503 29 30/31.
http://www.yemenembassy.at
http://www.yemenembassy.at
English is spoken in business circles. Scheduling appointments is common, and value is placed on punctuality. Khat is also frequently chewed during business meetings. Business hours: Mon-Wed 0800-1230 and 1600-1900 and Thu 0800-1100. Authorities: Sun-Thurs 0800-1400.
Business contacts
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen Schmidt-Ott-Strasse 7, 12165 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 897 30 50. Website: yemenembassy.de Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1, PO Box no. 76, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 513 39 65. Website: aacc.at General Investment Authority Unit Street, PO Box 19022, Sana’a, Yemen Tel. +967 (0)1 43 43 12. Website: www.investinyemen.org
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Main provider is Yemen Mobile Phone Company ‘Sabafon’.
Internet
Main provider: TeleYemen (Internet: www.y.net.ye). There are internet cafes in the larger cities.
Post office
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, airmail from Sana’a to Europe takes 4 days, longer from other cities. Opening hours: Sat-Thu 08.00-14.00 and 16.00-20.00.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
