Article 14 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 14 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article requires narcotic or psychotropic substances to be imported or exported in tightly sealed parcels with a detailed statement, with no other substance in the parcel.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز استيراد مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية أو تصديرها إلا داخل طرود محكمة الإغلاق، مع بيان يحدد اسم المادة وكميتها وتركيزها وشكلها الصيدلاني حتى لو كانت عينة. ولا يجوز أن تحتوي الطرود الخاصة بهذه المواد على أي مادة أخرى.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article sets formal conditions for shipments containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, in order to prevent tampering with them or concealing other substances with them. These conditions apply to every import or export of these substances:
- The substances must be inside tightly sealed parcels.
- The parcel must be accompanied by a statement specifying the name of the substance, its quantity, its concentration and its pharmaceutical form (tablets, injections or syrup, for example).
- The parcel for these substances must not contain any other substance.
What matters is that these conditions apply even if the shipment is a sample; the smallness of the quantity or its being for testing does not excuse the statement or the sealing.
This article is part of a series of controls: Article Thirteen limits the import and export license to specific establishments such as pharmaceutical companies, warehouses and treatment institutions, and Article Fifteen allows the Ministry to review the quantity requested and approve, amend or reject it. Obtaining the license does not remove the need to comply with the packaging and statement conditions. Anyone who needs advice on shipping requirements would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in health and administrative regulations.
Practical example
A licensed pharmaceutical company in Dammam imports a small sample of a preparation containing a psychotropic substance to test it. The sample must arrive in a tightly sealed parcel separate from the other goods, with a statement of the name of the substance, its quantity, concentration and pharmaceutical form, even though it is only a sample.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
May narcotic substances be shipped with other medicines in one parcel?
No. The article provides that parcels for these substances may not contain any other substance.
Do the parcel conditions apply to samples?
Yes. The statement and the tightly sealed parcel are required even if the shipment is a sample.
What information is required on a parcel of narcotic substances?
The name of the substance, its quantity, its concentration and its pharmaceutical form.
More articles on Licensing Narcotics for Medical Purposes
- Article 2
The article excludes emergency and first-aid medicines containing narcotic substances carried on ships and aircraft from importation, exportation and smuggling, on specific conditions.
لا يعد جلبا أو تصديرا أو تهريبا الكميات المحددة من الأدوية الطبية التي تحتوي على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية تحملها وسائط النقل، كالسفن والطائرات، لمواجهة الحالا
- Article 12
The article requires a one-year renewable license from the Ministry of Health to import or export narcotic or psychotropic substances for legitimate purposes.
لا يجوز استيراد المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو تصديرها لأغراض مشروعة إلا بموجب رخصة استيراد أو تصدير صادرة من وزارة الصحة. وتمنح الرخصة لمدة سنة قابلة لل
- Article 13
The article limits granting a license to import or export narcotic or psychotropic substances to five categories of pharmaceutical, treatment and research establishments.
يقصر منح رخصة استيراد المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو تصديرها على المنشآت الآتية: 1 - شركات الأدوية ووكلائها. 2 - مستودعات بيع الأدوية بالجملة. 3 - المؤسس
- Article 15
The article gives the Ministry of Health the power to review the quantity requested for import or export of narcotic substances and to approve, amend or reject it according to the Regulations.
لوزارة الصحة مراجعة الكمية المطلوب استيرادها أو تصديرها للموافقة عليها أو تعديلها أو رفضها وفق الضوابط التي تحددها اللائحة .
- Article 16
The article bars releasing narcotic or psychotropic substances arriving at customs except under a release license from the Ministry of Health, which is returned to it after the release.
لا يجوز تسليم المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية التي تصل إلى الجمارك إلا بموجب رخصة فسح صادرة من وزارة الصحة، على أن تعاد هذه الرخصة إليها بعد انتهاء الفسح.
- Article 17
The article lets the Minister of Interior license government bodies, institutes and research centers to import and cultivate seeds of the plants in Table (4) for medical and research purposes, according to the Regulations.
لوزير الداخلية الترخيص للمصالح والإدارات الحكومية والمعاهد ومراكز البحث العلمي باستيراد وزراعة بذور النباتات المدرجة في الجدول رقم (4) المرافق لهذا النظام للأغر
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.