Article 16 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 16 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 16 explained in plain English
When a shipment of narcotic or psychotropic substances reaches the customs port, it is not enough for the establishment to hold an import license in order to take delivery directly. This article adds a control step at customs:
- These substances arriving at customs may not be released except under a release license issued by the Ministry of Health.
- The release license must be returned to the Ministry of Health after the release ends.
The release license provided for by this article authorizes releasing the specific shipment from customs, and is different from the import license itself. Returning the license to the Ministry allows it to follow what was actually released, and prevents the same license from being used more than once.
The article does not state the procedures for applying for a release license or the period for returning it, so these cannot be inferred from the text. This article comes after Article Fifteen, which allows the Ministry to review the quantities requested for import, and before Article Seventeen, which concerns licensing the import and cultivation of seeds of the plants listed in Table (4) for medical and research purposes. Anyone facing a delay or a problem in releasing his shipment would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
A shipment of medicines containing a narcotic substance for a private hospital arrived at Jeddah port, and the hospital holds an import license. Customs does not hand over the shipment until the hospital presents a release license from the Ministry of Health, and after the release ends the license is returned to the Ministry.
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 16 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Is an import license enough to take narcotic medicines from customs?
No. Delivery from customs requires a release license issued by the Ministry of Health.
What happens to the release license after the shipment is received?
The article provides that the license is returned to the Ministry of Health after the release ends.
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 14
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.
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. و
- 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 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.