Article 206 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 206 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
Delivery of a copy of the bill of lading to the carrier is a presumption that the goods were delivered to the person entitled to receive them, unless the contrary is proved.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعد تسليم نسخة من سند الشحن إلى الناقل قرينة على تسليم البضائع إلى صاحب الحق في تسلمها, 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 206 explained in plain English
This article sets a presumption of proof of delivery of the goods: if the carrier receives a copy of the bill of lading, he is presumed to have delivered the goods to the person entitled to receive them.
The logic is that the lawful holder presents the bill to the carrier when receiving the goods, so the presence of the bill's copy in the carrier's hands generally indicates that delivery took place.
But this presumption is simple, that is, capable of being rebutted: unless the contrary is proved. If the person entitled claims that he did not receive the goods despite handing over the bill, he may prove that.
The practical result:
- For the carrier: keeping the copy of the bill delivered to him helps him prove delivery.
- For the owner of the goods: he must be careful when handing over the bill; if he hands it over without receiving all the goods, he bears the burden of proving that.
It follows Article 205, which requires the master to deliver the goods to the lawful holder of the bill of lading or his representative. It is followed by Article 207, which determines who is preferred if several persons holding copies of the negotiable bill of lading come forward. Anyone claiming that he did not receive his goods is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An importer in Dammam handed a copy of the bill of lading to the carrier and then claimed that he had not received part of the goods. The carrier is presumed to have delivered the goods to him, and the importer must prove the contrary.
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 206 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What does handing the bill of lading to the carrier mean?
It is a presumption that the carrier delivered the goods to the person entitled to receive them.
Can non-receipt of the goods be proved even after the bill was handed over?
Yes. The presumption stands unless the contrary is proved.
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.