Article 212 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 212 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
If the shipper deliberately states incorrect particulars in the bill of lading about the nature or value of the goods, the carrier is not liable for their loss or damage if he proves the particulars were incorrect.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا تعمد الشاحن ذكر بيانات غير صحيحة في سند الشحن عن طبيعة البضاعة أو قيمتها, فلا يسأل الناقل عن هلاك البضائع أو تلفها إذا أثبت عدم صحة هذه البيانات.
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 212 explained in plain English
This article deals with a shipper who deliberately states incorrect particulars in the bill of lading. If:
- the shipper deliberately states incorrect particulars,
- about the nature or value of the goods,
- in the bill of lading,
then the carrier is not liable for loss of or damage to the goods, provided he proves that these particulars were incorrect.
The conditions matter:
- Deliberateness: the article speaks of the shipper's deliberate act, not an unintentional error.
- Type of particulars: they relate specifically to the nature or value of the goods.
- Proof: the carrier must prove that the particulars were incorrect.
The purpose is to protect the carrier from fraud; a person who describes dangerous goods as ordinary, or exaggerates their value hoping for greater compensation, does not deserve the Law's protection.
It follows Article 211, which exempts the carrier if he proves that the loss or damage is due to an external cause in which he had no hand. It is followed by Article 213, which exempts the carrier from liability for goods carried on deck and stated as such in the bill if he proves that the damage arises from the special risks of this carriage. Shippers are advised to give accurate particulars and to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law in case of dispute.
Practical example
A shipper deliberately declared in the bill of lading that the value of his goods was SAR 1 million when it was really SAR 100,000. If the goods are lost and the carrier proves that the stated value was incorrect, he is not liable for their loss.
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 212 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the carrier liable if the shipper lies about the value of the goods?
If the shipper deliberately states incorrect particulars about the nature or value of the goods, the carrier is not liable for their loss or damage if he proves the particulars were incorrect.
Is an unintentional error in the particulars enough to exempt the carrier?
The article requires that the shipper deliberately stated the incorrect particulars.
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.