Article 218 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 218 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The receiver must notify the carrier in writing of loss or damage by the working day after receipt, or within 15 days if it is not apparent; otherwise the goods are presumed delivered as described in the bill of lading. No notice is needed if a joint inspection was recorded.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- في حالة هلاك البضاعة أو تلفها يجب على من يتقدم لتسلمها أن يبلغ الناقل كتابةً بالهلاك أو التلف في موعد لا يتجاوز يوم عمل يلي يوم تسلم البضاعة, وإلا افترض أنها سُلمت بحالتها المبينة في سند الشحن حتى يقوم الدليل على ما يخالف ذلك، وإذا كان الهلاك أو التلف غير ظاهر جاز تقديم الإبلاغ خلال الخمسة عشر يوماً التالية لتسلم البضاعة.
2- لا يلزم تقديم الإبلاغ المنصوص عليه في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة إذا أجريت معاينة للبضاعة, وأُثبتت حالتها وقت التسليم بحضور الناقل أو نائبه ومن تسلم البضاعة.
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 218 explained in plain English
This article imposes on the receiver of the goods a duty to notify of loss or damage and sets its deadlines.
First: apparent damage. The carrier must be notified in writing by a deadline not later than one working day after the day the goods are received.
Second: non-apparent damage. Notice may be given within the fifteen days following receipt of the goods.
Third: the consequence of not notifying. If the carrier is not notified by the deadline, the goods are presumed to have been delivered in the condition described in the bill of lading, until proof to the contrary is established. The right is not lost, but the burden of proof becomes heavier on the receiver.
Fourth: exemption from notice. Notice is not required if the goods were inspected and their condition at delivery recorded in the presence of:
- the carrier or his representative;
- and the person who received the goods.
The practical result: the importer should examine his goods as soon as he receives them and give written notice without delay, or request a joint inspection at delivery.
It follows Article 217 on agreement in exceptional circumstances. It is followed by Article 219, which prevents the carrier from limiting his liability if the damage arose from a deliberate act or recklessness with knowledge that damage could occur. Anyone who has missed the deadline is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime and commercial law.
Practical example
An importer in Jeddah received containers on Sunday and noticed visible damage to some of them. He must notify the carrier in writing by the next working day at the latest. Damage that appeared only when the packages were opened a week later may be notified within fifteen days of receipt.
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 218 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How long do I have to notify the carrier of damage to goods?
By a deadline not later than one working day after the day of receipt, or within fifteen days if the loss or damage is not apparent.
What happens if I do not notify the carrier on time?
The goods are presumed delivered in the condition described in the bill of lading until proof to the contrary is established.
When is notice not required?
If the goods were inspected and their condition at delivery recorded in the presence of the carrier or his representative and the person who received them.
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.