Article 12 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 12 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثالث: أحكام عامة للطيران
No dangerous goods may be carried by aircraft without a permit from the Authority and according to the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations, subject to international rules on carrying dangerous goods.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة الأنظمة الدولية المطبقة في نقل المواد الخطرة لا يجوز أن ينقل بالطائرة أي مواد خطرة إلا بتصريح من الهيئة. ووفقا للإجراءات التي تحددها 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 12 explained in plain English
This article concerns the carriage of dangerous goods by air, one of the most safety-sensitive aspects of air freight. The rule is: no dangerous goods may be carried by aircraft except with a permit from the Authority.
The article contains three controls:
- Prior permit: carriage is prohibited unless the Authority permits it.
- Procedures: carriage takes place according to the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations.
- Regard for international rules: the provision applies subject to the international rules applicable to the carriage of dangerous goods.
The article does not define dangerous goods or list their types, and does not say who applies for the permit. These details are found in the Implementing Regulations and the international rules referred to. Freight companies and consignors of goods should therefore confirm the classification of their goods before shipping.
This article is part of the general provisions on aviation, after Article 11 on radio equipment and before Article 13 on cameras and aerial surveying, all of which are subject to prior approval or permit. Anyone who runs into a problem with a shipment can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases and aviation law.
Practical example
A company in Riyadh wanted to ship quantities of flammable chemicals by air to a customer abroad. They may be carried by aircraft only after obtaining a permit from the Authority, and according to the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations, subject to the international rules on carrying dangerous goods.
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 12 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can dangerous goods be shipped by air in Saudi Arabia?
Only with a permit from the Authority and according to the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations, subject to the international rules.
Which dangerous goods are prohibited on aircraft?
The article does not list them. Refer to the Implementing Regulations and the international rules applicable to carrying dangerous goods.
More articles on Flight Permits and Aircraft Inspection
- Article 6
The Authority may inspect aircraft, prevent them from flying and seize their documents to monitor compliance with the Civil Aviation Law; the Implementing Regulations set the procedures.
مع عدم الإخلال بما تقرره الأنظمة الأخرى والمعاهدات الدولية؛ فإن للهيئة الحق في تفتيش الطائرات ومنعها من الطيران أو حجز أي وثائق تتعلق بها لمراقبة تنفيذ أحكام هذ
- Article 7
Customs, security, passport, and health and agricultural quarantine personnel and any other competent body may inspect aircraft, persons and cargo within their jurisdiction, in the presence of a representative of the Authority.
لموظفي الجمارك والأمن والجوازات والحجر الصحي والزراعي وأي جهة مختصة أخرى الحق في تفتيش الطائرات ، أو أي شخص، أو حمولة على متنها وفقا لاختصاصاتها المقررة لها بمو
- Article 8
Passengers, crew members and consignors of goods must follow the residence, passport, customs, and health and agricultural quarantine rules when entering, staying in and leaving the Kingdom.
على الركاب وأعضاء الطاقم ومرسلي البضائع عند دخول المملكة والإقامة فيها والخروج منها اتباع الأنظمة والتعليمات والبيانات المتعلقة بالإقامة وجوازات السفر والجمارك
- Article 9
No aircraft may operate in the Kingdom's territory without a license or permit issued by the Authority; it is personal and cannot be assigned to others, and the Implementing Regulations set its conditions.
للهيئة صلاحية إصدار التراخيص والتصاريح للطائرات ، ولا يجوز لأي طائرة أن تعمل في إقليم المملكة إلا بموجب ترخيص أو تصريح تصدره الهيئة، ويعد الترخيص أو التصريح شخص
- Article 10
The article sets the requirements for an aircraft operating in the Kingdom: registration, a valid airworthiness certificate, markings, equipment, crew licenses and insurance, with possible exemptions for test and training aircraft except insurance.
1 - يجب أن تتوافر في الطائرة التي تعمل في إقليم المملكة ، الشروط الآتية: أ - أن تكون مسجلة في الدولة التابعة لها أو مسجلة وفقا لقواعد التسجيل الدولي أو المشترك.
- Article 11
No aircraft operating in the Kingdom may be fitted with radio equipment without approval of the state of registration, and it may only be used for air navigation purposes by the flight crew.
لا يجوز تجهيز أي طائرة تعمل في إقليم المملكة بأي أجهزة لاسلكية ما لم يكن لديها موافقة بذلك من السلطات المختصة في الدولة المسجلة فيها أو سلطة تسجيل العلامة العام
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.