Article 193 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 193 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The shipping receipt referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 181 is evidence that the carrier received the goods in the condition stated in it, unless the contrary is proved.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعد إيصال الشحن المشار إليه في الفقرة (2) من المادة (الواحدة والثمانين بعد المائة) دليلاً على تسلم الناقل البضائع من الشاحن بالحالة المبينة في الإيصال, ما لم يثبت غير ذلك.
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 193 explained in plain English
This article specifies the evidentiary force of the shipping receipt. What is meant is the receipt referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 181.
The rule: this receipt is evidence that the carrier received the goods from the shipper in the condition stated in it, unless the contrary is proved.
This means:
- The rule is that what is in the receipt is correct, so if it states a particular condition of the goods, it is presumed that the carrier received them in that condition.
- But this presumption is open to proof to the contrary, so it may be proved that the goods were in a different condition.
Note that the article does not distinguish, in proof to the contrary, between the parties and third parties, unlike what Article 192 provides for the bill of lading; that article prevents proof of the contrary of what is in the bill against a good-faith third party, while permitting it in the relationship between the carrier and the shipper.
It is followed by Article 194, which allows a person entitled to take delivery of goods to ask for delivery orders for quantities of them if the bill so provides. A shipper holding a shipping receipt is advised to check the accuracy of its particulars, and to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime and commercial law in the event of a dispute.
Practical example
A shipper in Jeddah received a receipt stating that the carrier had received from him 100 packages in sound condition. The receipt is evidence of that, but the carrier may prove that it received the packages in a different condition.
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 193 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is a shipping receipt evidence that the goods were received?
Yes, it is evidence that the carrier received the goods in the condition stated in it.
May the contrary of what is in a shipping receipt be proved?
Yes, since the article makes it evidence unless the contrary is proved.
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.