Article 38 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 38 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Trading in movable antiquities whose holder proves lawful ownership, and in folk heritage pieces, is permitted after obtaining a license from the Authority under the conditions set by the regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز الاتجار بالآثار المنقولة التي يثبت حائزها شرعية ملكيتها، وقطع التراث الشعبي، وذلك بعد الحصول على ترخيص من الهيئة، وفقاً للشروط والأحكام التي تبينها اللوائح.
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 38 explained in plain English
This article permits trading in antiquities, but on specific conditions.
What may be traded:
- Movable antiquities whose holder proves lawful ownership.
- Folk heritage pieces.
Condition: obtaining a license from the Authority, in accordance with the conditions and provisions set out in the regulations.
Note that the requirement to prove lawful ownership is stated in the text for movable antiquities, while the license requirement covers both kinds. Trading in an antiquity whose holder has no proof of lawful ownership therefore does not fall within this permission.
This provision complements Article 39, which provides that the circulation of movable antiquities and folk heritage pieces owned by private persons and registered in the antiquities register as national heritage is permitted by license from the Authority within the Kingdom only, with the Authority having a priority right to purchase on sale. Article 37 also provides that the Authority may acquire any movable antiquity by purchase or exchange.
Someone who wants to open a shop selling antiques and heritage items must first obtain the Authority's license. Before starting, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate cases.
Practical example
Ibrahim wants to open a shop in a heritage market in Al-Ahsa to sell old folk utensils and tools. He must obtain a license from the Authority, and if he offers movable antiquities for sale, he must prove their lawful ownership.
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 38 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Is it permitted to sell antiquities in Saudi Arabia?
Trading in movable antiquities whose holder proves lawful ownership, and in folk heritage pieces, is permitted after obtaining a license from the Authority.
Do I need a license to sell heritage pieces?
Yes. A license from the Authority is required, in accordance with the conditions and provisions set out in the regulations.
More articles on Possessing and Trading Antiquities
- Article 15
Auctions for selling movable antiquities and folk heritage pieces may not be organized except under a license from the Commission.
لا يجوز تنظيم مزادات بيع الآثار المنقولة وقطع التراث الشعبي، إلا بترخيص من الهيئة.
- Article 16
The Commission, in coordination with the competent authorities, works to recover national antiquities and helps return foreign antiquities smuggled from and to the Kingdom, under the relevant international agreements.
على الهيئة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة - أن تعمل على استعادة الآثار الوطنية، وأن تساعد على إعادة الآثار الأجنبية المهربة والمنقولة بطرق غير شرعية من المملكة وإ
- Article 30
The Commission may exchange duplicate movable antiquities, or those with similar specimens, with museums and scientific institutions inside and outside the Kingdom, and lend movable antiquities for display in international museums and exhibitions.
يجوز للهيئة تبادل الآثار المنقولة المكررة، أو التي لها نماذج مع المتاحف والمؤسسات العلمية الداخلية والخارجية، وكذلك إعارة الآثار المنقولة لعرضها في المتاحف والم
- Article 31
The Commission may accept movable antiquities offered to it as a gift or loan, and may keep or display them in the name of the person who offered them.
للهيئة قبول الآثار المنقولة التي تقدم إليها على سبيل الإهداء أو الإعارة، ولها أن تحفظها أو تعرضها باسم مقدمها.
- Article 32
The Commission may leave a movable antiquity discovered by chance in its discoverer's possession after registering it, and the discoverer may not dispose of it without the Commission's approval.
للهيئة ترك الأثر المنقول المكتشف عن طريق الصدفة في حيازة مكتشفه بعد تسجيله، ولا يجوز لمكتشفه التصرف فيه دون موافقة الهيئة.
- Article 33
Restoring movable antiquities for commercial purposes may not be practiced except after obtaining a license from the Commission, and the regulations set out the controls for this.
لا تجوز مزاولة نشاط ترميم الآثار المنقولة لأغراض تجارية إلا بعد الحصول على ترخيص من الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح ضوابط ذلك.
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.