Article 19 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 19 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article allows the Ministry of Interior, in coordination with customs, to permit narcotic or psychotropic substances to pass through the Kingdom to another State as set by the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لوزارة الداخلية بالتنسيق مع الجمارك التصريح بمرور مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية عبر إقليم المملكة إلى دولة أخرى وفقا لما تحدده اللائحة .
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 19 explained in plain English
A shipment of narcotic or psychotropic substances headed for another State may need to pass through the territory or ports of the Kingdom, in what is known as transit. This article regulates this case:
- The body competent to give the permit is the Ministry of Interior.
- The permit is given in coordination with customs.
- The passage is through the territory of the Kingdom to another State, meaning that the Kingdom is not the final destination of the shipment.
- This is done as set by the Implementing Regulations.
Note the difference between this article and Article Eighteen: Article Eighteen regulates transporting these substances inside the Kingdom, whereas this article regulates their passage through it abroad. The body giving the permit here is also the Ministry of Interior in coordination with customs, unlike the license to trade inside the Kingdom, which the Ministry of Health grants under Article Twenty.
The text does not state the conditions or procedures of the permit, but refers them to the Regulations. Anyone who needs advice on a transit shipment would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases and international trade.
Practical example
A foreign pharmaceutical company wants to ship a preparation containing a narcotic substance by land to a neighboring Gulf State, passing through Saudi territory. The shipment needs a permit from the Ministry of Interior in coordination with customs, as set by the Regulations.
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 19 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Who permits narcotic substances to pass through Saudi Arabia?
The Ministry of Interior in coordination with customs, as set by the Regulations.
What is the difference between transport inside the Kingdom and passage through it?
Transport inside the Kingdom is regulated by Article Eighteen, while passage through the Kingdom to another State is regulated by Article Nineteen.
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 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.
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.