Article 214 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 214 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
If the shipper gave a statement before loading about the nature and value of the goods and their special importance for preservation, and it was stated in the bill of lading, the carrier may not rely on limitation of liability against him; the statement is a presumption of the value.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز للناقل التمسك في مواجهة الشاحن بتحديد المسؤولية إذا قدم الشاحن بياناً قبل الشحن عن طبيعة البضاعة وقيمتها وما يتعلق بالمحافظة عليها من أهمية خاصة، وذكر هذا البيان في سند الشحن. ويعد هذا البيان قرينة على صحة القيمة التي عينها الشاحن للبضائع إلى أن يقيم الناقل الدليل على ما يخالفها.
2- لا يُعد تمسك الناقل بتحديد مسؤوليته إقراراً منه بالمسؤولية.
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 214 explained in plain English
This article gives the shipper a way to go beyond the limits of the carrier's liability.
First: when is the carrier prevented from limiting liability? He may not rely on limitation of his liability against the shipper if:
- the shipper gave a statement before loading about:
- the nature of the goods;
- their value;
- any special importance relating to their preservation;
- and this statement was entered in the bill of lading.
Second: the value of the statement as proof. The statement is a presumption that the value assigned by the shipper is correct, until the carrier proves the contrary. The burden of proving that the value is exaggerated therefore falls on the carrier.
Third: the carrier's reliance on limitation of his liability is not an admission by him of liability; he may deny liability altogether and rely on the limitation in the alternative.
The practical result: a person who ships valuable goods and wants full compensation if they are lost should declare their nature and value before loading and make sure this is entered in the bill.
It follows Article 213 on goods loaded on deck. It is followed by Article 215, which nullifies agreements made before the incident that exempt the carrier from liability or alter the burden of proof. Shippers of valuable goods are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
A jewelry merchant ships a consignment worth SAR 3 million from Jeddah. Before loading he gives the carrier a statement of its nature, value and the importance of preserving it, and it is entered in the bill of lading. If the consignment is lost, the carrier cannot rely on limitation of liability against him, and the stated value is treated as correct until the carrier proves otherwise.
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 214 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How do I get full compensation for valuable goods I ship by sea?
By giving a statement before loading about their nature, value and the importance of preserving them, and having it entered in the bill of lading; the carrier then cannot rely on limitation of liability against you.
Is the value the shipper states binding on the carrier?
It is a presumption that the value is correct until the carrier proves the contrary.
Is the carrier's reliance on limitation of liability an admission?
No. It is not an admission of liability by him.
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.