Article 192 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 192 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The bill of lading is evidence that the goods were received in the condition stated and is proof of its particulars; between carrier and shipper the contrary may be proved, but not against a good-faith third party.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يعد سند الشحن دليلاً على تسلم الناقل البضائع من الشاحن بالحالة المبينة فيه. وإذا كان سند الشحن مشتملاً على البيان المنصوص عليه في الفقرة (2) من المادة (الثانية والثمانين بعد المائة), فإنه يعد دليلاً على شحن البضاعة في السفينة أو في السفن المعينة في البيان وفي التاريخ المذكور فيه، ويعد سند الشحن كذلك حجة في إثبات البيانات التي يشتمل عليها، وذلك فيما بين الناقل والشاحن وبالنسبة إلى الغير.
2- يجوز في العلاقة بين الناقل والشاحن إثبات خلاف الدليل المستخلص من سند الشحن وخلاف ما ورد فيه من بيانات، ولا يجوز في مواجهة الغير حَسَن النية إثبات خلاف الدليل المستخلص من السند أو خلاف ما ورد فيه من بيانات، ويجوز ذلك لهذا الغير.
3- يعد المرسل إليه الذي صدر السند باسمه أو لأمره من الغير في حكم هذه المادة إلا إذا كان هو الشاحن نفسه.
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 192 explained in plain English
This article specifies the evidentiary force of the bill of lading.
First: what the bill proves.
- It is evidence that the carrier received the goods from the shipper in the condition stated in it.
- If it contains the particular provided for in paragraph 2 of Article 182, it is evidence that the goods were loaded on the ship or ships named and on the date stated.
- It is proof of the particulars it contains, as between the carrier and the shipper and as regards third parties.
Second: proof to the contrary.
- Between the carrier and the shipper: the contrary of what is in the bill may be proved.
- Against a good-faith third party: the contrary of what is in the bill may not be proved.
- This is permitted to the third party itself.
Third: the consignee. The consignee in whose name or to whose order the bill was issued counts as a third party for the purposes of this article, unless he is the shipper himself.
The purpose is to protect those who rely on the bill in good faith; a buyer who receives a bill stating a particular condition of the goods is entitled to rely on it. It is followed by Article 193 on the evidentiary force of the shipping receipt. Anyone facing a dispute over the bill's particulars is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A bill of lading stated that the goods were 500 cartons in sound condition, and a company in Riyadh bought the bill in good faith. Only 450 cartons arrived. The carrier may not prove against it that it received only 450, although it could do so against the shipper.
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 192 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the bill of lading evidence of the condition of the goods?
Yes, it is evidence that the carrier received the goods in the condition stated in it, and proof of its particulars.
May the carrier prove the contrary of what is in the bill of lading?
It may do so in its relationship with the shipper, but not against a good-faith third party.
Is the consignee a third party?
Yes, unless he is the shipper himself.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Carriage of Goods by Sea and the Bill of Lading
- Article 115
If the master must repair the ship during the voyage, the shipper may wait or take out the goods while paying full freight, with no increase in freight; if repair is not possible, the master hires a substitute ship at his own expense.
1- إذا اضطر الربان إلى إصلاح السفينة أثناء السفر، كان للمستأجر أو الشاحن الخيار بين الانتظار حتى إتمام إصلاح السفينة أو إخراج بضائعه منها، وفي هذه الحالة الأخير
- Article 121
The shipping agent is liable to shippers or consignees for loss of or damage to goods when loaded or unloaded only for the agent's own fault or the fault of those working for the agent.
لا يسأل الوكيل الملاحي من قبل الشاحنين أو المرسل إليهم عن هلاك أو تلف البضائع التي يتسلمها لشحنها في السفينة أو التي يتولى تفريغها منها لتسليمها لأصحابها إلا عن
- Article 122
The cargo agent must preserve the rights of the goods' owners against the carrier; otherwise the agent is presumed to have received the goods in the condition and quantity stated in the bill of lading, unless the contrary is proved by an official record.
يجب على وكيل الشحنة اتخاذ الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة للمحافظة على حقوق أصحاب الشأن في البضاعة قِبَل الناقل أو متعهد النقل، وإلا افترض أنّ الوكيل تسلم البضاعة ف
- Article 124
The provisions limiting the carrier's liability set out in the Law apply to the transport contractor.
تسري على متعهد النقل أحكام تحديد المسؤولية المتعلقة بالناقل المنصوص عليها في النظام.
- Article 155
The lessor of a fully equipped ship is liable for damage to the goods the lessee places on the ship, unless he proves he fully performed his obligations and the damage did not arise from his fault or that of his subordinates.
يسأل مؤجر السفينة المجهزة عن الضرر الذي يصيب البضائع التي يضعها المستأجر في السفينة, إلا إذا أثبت أنه قام بتنفيذ التزاماته كاملة, وأن الضرر لم ينشأ عن تقصيره أو
- Article 179
A contract of carriage by sea can be proved only in writing.
لا يثبت عقد النقل البحري إلا بالكتابة.
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.