Article 353 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 353 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: التأمين على البضائع
The article requires the insured to notify the insurer of damage to insured goods within fifteen days of receiving them, otherwise he is presumed to have received them sound unless he proves otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على المؤمن له إبلاغ المؤمِّن خلال خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ تَسلم البضائع المؤمن عليها بوجود تلف فيها، وإلا افترض أنه تسلمها سليمة, ما لم يثبت المؤمن له خلاف 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 353 explained in plain English
This article sets a time limit for reporting damage after receiving insured goods:
- The period: fifteen days.
- Start of counting: from the date of receiving the goods.
- The duty: to notify the insurer that the goods are damaged.
The effect of not notifying: if the insured does not notify within the period, he is presumed to have received the goods sound.
But this presumption is not conclusive, since the insured may prove otherwise. That is, missing the period does not finally forfeit his right, but it shifts to him the burden of proving that the goods were damaged when received.
Article 352 allows the insurer to terminate the floating policy when the insured breaches the obligations to notify of shipments, while Article 354 deals with liability insurance, where the insurer is bound to pay only if the injured third party directs an amicable or judicial claim to the insured.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah receives an insured shipment and discovers a week later that part of it is damaged. It must notify the insurer within fifteen days of the date of receipt. If it is late, it is presumed to have received the goods sound, and it remains able to prove 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 353 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How long do I have to notify the insurance company of damage to goods?
Fifteen days from the date of receiving the insured goods.
What happens if I am late in notifying?
You are presumed to have received the goods sound, unless you prove otherwise.
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لا يصرح للسفن التي تحمل جنسية المملكة بالسفر إلى المناطق التي تغلب عليها أخطار الحرب, أو أعمال القرصنة أو السطو المسلح, إلا بعد تقديم مالكها أو مجهزها أو مستأجر
- Article 215
Any agreement made before the incident that exempts the carrier from liability for loss of or damage to the goods, alters the burden of proof placed on him, or assigns to him the rights arising from cargo insurance is void.
يقع باطلاً كل اتفاق يتم قبل وقوع الحادث الذي نشأ عنه الضرر, ويكون موضوعه أحد الأمور الآتية: 1- إعفاء الناقل من المسؤولية عن هلاك البضائع أو تلفها. 2- تعديل عبء
- Article 236
The carrier must hold insurance or a guarantee from a recognized body covering its liability for death and bodily injury, and the injured party may claim directly against the insurer or guarantor.
يجب أن يكون لدى الناقل تأمين أو ضمان من جهة معترف بها، لتغطية مسؤوليته عن الوفاة والإصابات البدنية. وفي هذه الحالة يجوز للمتضرر الرجوع المباشر على المؤمن أو الض
- Article 293
The article provides that the maritime insurance provisions apply to an insurance contract covering maritime risks, without prejudice to the Law on Supervision of Cooperative Insurance Companies.
دون إخلال بالأحكام الواردة في نظام مراقبة شركات التأمين التعاوني, تسري أحكام هذا الباب على عقد التأمين الذي يكون موضوعه تغطية الأخطار البحرية.
- Article 294
The article requires a maritime insurance contract and any change to it to be proved in writing, sets the particulars of the insurance policy, and makes a provisional policy binding on both parties until the final policy is issued.
1- لا يثبت عقد التأمين وكل ما يطرأ عليه إلاَّ بالكتابة. 2- يصدر بموجب عقد التأمين وثيقة تأمين تتضمن البيانات الآتية: أ- تاريخ عقد التأمين ومكانه. ب- اسم المؤمِّ
- Article 295
The article allows a maritime insurance policy to be issued in the name of the insured, to his order or to bearer, and gives its lawful holder the right to claim compensation, subject to the insurer's defenses against the insured.
1- تكون وثيقة التأمين باسم المؤمن له أو لأمره، أو لحاملها. 2- يكون لحامل الوثيقة الشرعي الحق في المطالبة بالتعويض, وللمؤمِّن أن يحتج في مواجهته بالدفوع التي يجو
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.