How Does Fedex deal with different two cultures?

Saudi Arabia Culture:
Working with Customs officials throughout the world, FedEx has developed innovative technology to eliminate many paperwork-handling steps and expedite the movement of international shipments. This is the FedEx Expressclear electronic Customs clearance system. Starting at the origin, state-of-the-art technology allows the processing of shipment paperwork and electronic transmission of documents to the designated FedEx hub and destination clearance location. The Expressclear system also keeps a database of regulatory information which includes importers numbers, broker designation, corporate contact names and telephone numbers. At a FedEx hub, international shipments are sorted, scanned and loaded onto an international flight. Vital shipment information is keyed into a worldwide manifest database, which is linked to computer systems operated by brokers and Customs officials in many countries. Even before the plane has taken off, or while it is in the air, Customs agents and brokers at the destination airport of entry can begin examining shipping manifests, querying air waybill data if they need more details, assessing duties and taxes and selecting which shipments they wish to examine. International shipments are scanned at all key points throughout the process and allows for up-to-date status reports including when Customs clearance is obtained. The importation of goods into Saudi Arabia is governed by a myriad of laws and import regulations that would be considered unique by western standards. Importers and exporters wishing to do business there must comply with strict adherence to these laws. It is important to remember that the Saudi rule of law, Shariah, is derived from the Holy Quran and the Muslim faith permeates throughout. Any product deemed contrary to Islamic law is prohibited.

In Saudi Arabia, the Customs department is the government agency responsible for the enforcement of the tariff and Customs rules and regulations. Although, Saudi Arabia is a member of the Customs Coordination Council, customs officers do not have the authority to do investigative work on business premises, nor do they have enforcement powers. These powers are vested with the Ministry of Interior.

These are some of the items the Saudi Arabian government prohibits: * Dangerous Goods as defined by IATA (Intl. Air Transport Association) * Any item contrary to the Royal Family, Saudi Arabian or Muslim beliefs or morality * Goods either shipped from or manufactured in Israel are completely banned * Alcohol and alcohol related items * Items of human concealment such as: masks, artificial pearls, etc. * Items used for gambling or games of chance * Stuffed animals and pokemon toys * Any items which depict or display the female anatomy (other than for strict medical purposes) * Watches which have cameras attached to them * Pornography in any form * Sex toys and other items related to sex * All kinds of religious books (including but not limited to Qur'an, bible, buddhism & etc.) * Toys operated by fuel
Military uniforms or equipment of any kind require the consignee to hold a valid import permit letter from the Ministry of Interior. Printed matter such as books, pictures, records, films, tapes, slides, movies, videos, compact discs, diskettes, etc are subject to censorship and confiscation. Certain radio transmitter/communication equipment as well as telescopic equipment require that the consignee provide an import letter from the Ministry of Interior.
All imported goods should conform to approved Saudi standards. In the absence of local standards, products should conform to International Standards. Many Saudi standards are applicable in other Gulf countries. In November 1995 the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) introduced an International Certificate of Conformity Program (ICCP). The programme aims to ensure compliance with set Saudi standards. The first stage of the programme calls for certain categories of regulated products to obtain an ICCP document prior to shipment to Saudi Arabia. Further details, including a list of regulated products are available from the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization. The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) has adopted ISO 9000 as the official standards for the Kingdom. SASO acts as the official accreditation body through the Quality Assurance Department. While compliance is voluntary, many government procurements require this standard or its equivalent. Currently, there are more than 1,420 SASO and 976 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standards.
The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) has implemented a program known as the International Conformity Certification Program (ICCP) that applies to 76 regulated products. The purpose of the program is to protect the Saudi Arabian consumer. ICCP is administered worldwide by Intertech Testing Services and the program consists of two related but separate processes: Registration and Inspection.Regulated products exported to the Kingdom are required to be registered by the manufacturer and must have a Certificate of Conformity issued by Intertech. Genetically modified food (GMO) has specific labeling requirements. If a product contains any genetically modified plant ingredients the information is required to be communicated to consumers via the label. GMO imports must also be accompanied by a certificate issued by the producing country stating that the product was approved for consumption in the country of origin.

From this list we can notice how does the country really respects its culture in terms of its religion, values and beliefs, and manners &cusoms.
France culture:
The importation of certain classes of merchandise may be prohibited or restricted to protect the economy and security of France and other EU member states, to safeguard consumer health, well being, and to preserve domestic plant and animal life. Some commodities are also subject to an import quota or a restraint under bilateral trade agreements and arrangements. In addition to Customs requirements, many prohibited or restricted imports are subject to laws and regulations administered by other French Government agencies for which the French Customs Department is the enforcer. These laws and regulations may, for example, prohibit entry; limit entry to certain points; restrict routing, storage, use; require treatment, labeling or processing as condition of release. Customs release only takes place when the additional requirements are met. These requirements apply to all importation types, including shipments made by mail. The exporter should make certain that the French importer has provided proper information to (1) permit the submission of necessary information concerning packing, labeling, etc. and (2) ensure that necessary arrangements have been made by the importer for entry of the merchandise into France.The following commodities are prohibited into France: * All forms of asbestos fibers * L-trytophane and any items having L-trytophane as an ingredient * Atlantic red tuna fish (Thunnus Thynnus) originating from Belize, Panama, and Honduras * Game meat such as Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) Rabbit (Lepus Timidus), Marmot (Marmota Marmota) * Rubber erasers that are similar in appearance to food products that are easily ingested * Medical thermometers containing mercury intended for human consumption * Dura mater (the tough fibrous membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord and lining the inner surface of the skull) * Imitation pearls having a coating of lead salts * Counterfeits * Hemp Cannabis * Pajamas and nightdresses made of artificial fibers that are not fire-retardant * Silicone used for plastic surgery * Toys and games containing copper sulfate * Items having a flexible metal blade entirely contained in a plastic, paper, or fabric sheath * Lighting conductors comprising of radioactive elements * Certain U.S. Beef hormones * Doping Products * Melatonine * Psychotropic Products * Products containing Lead Salt & Nickel * Stamps, collectable * Viagra & Vitamins * Dehydrepiandrosterone * All products containing the biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF)
Due to the risk of contamination with E coli bacteria possibly linked to the recent outbreaks in Germany and France, the emergency measure prohibits the immediate effect the importation of seeds and beans from Egypt to all EU countries. The commodities are:

Rocket sprouts
Beetroot sprouts, radish sprouts
Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled
Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split
Soya bean sprouts
Soya beans, whether or not broken
Sugar beet seed
Lucerne (alfalfa) seed
Vegetable seeds
Mustard seeds, for sowing
Other mustard seeds
Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken
Fenugreek seed
Lucerne (alfalfa) sprouts
Every article entering France must be marked with the name of the country of origin in any official language, preferably in French, unless an exception of marking is provided for in the law. The country of origin is the country of manufacture, production, or growth of the article. The requirement applies to each unit unless exempted. The phrase "made in" is required only in the case where the name of any locality other than the country or locality in which the article was manufactured appears on the article or its container. The marking "made in (country), "product of (country)", or other words of similar meaning must appear in close proximity to and in comparable size letters of the other locality to avoid possible confusion. When marking is not feasible, such as when the article is too small or marking would in some way damage the merchandise, then the packaging or container that will reach the final consumer must be marked. Marking of Goods
As labeling is strictly controlled in France, labeling regulations and standards must be carefully monitored. Basic labeling requirements are as follows:

Labels must be written in French. French or international law must authorize any foreign words or abbreviations. Marking of all goods consigned for consumption into French (EU) commerce must be legible. This means it must be of an adequate size, and clear enough, to be read easily by a person of normal vision. Any names, symbols and marks relating to the product must be found on the exterior of the packaging, the product label, or wherever the case may be. All ingredient or materials constituting the product must be listed. The article should be marked as permanently as the nature of the product will permit. However, any reasonable method of marking that will accomplish the purpose of the law is acceptable. Markings that will not remain on the article during handling for any other reason except deliberate removal are not considered proper marking. The best form of marking is one which becomes a part of the article itself, such as branding, stenciling, stamping, printing, molding and similar methods. Other forms of marking will be acceptable if it is certain that the marking used will remain on the article, and will remain legible and conspicuous, until the article reaches the ultimate purchaser in France. It is important that this marking withstand handling. This means it must be of a type that can be defaced, destroyed, removed, altered, obliterated, or obscured only by a deliberate act. When tags are used, they must be attached in a conspicuous place and in a manner, which assures that, unless deliberately removed, they will remain on the article until it reaches the final purchaser.