Article 25 of the Saudi Environment Law
المادة 25 من نظام البيئة · الفصل الخامس: الحياة الفطرية
The Article prohibits importing, exporting or re-exporting, for non-commercial purposes, species of wildlife or their products or derivatives that the competent authority specifies, without the competent authority's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الرابعة والعشرين) من النظام، يُحظر استيراد أو تصدير أو إعادة تصدير -للأغراض غير التجارية- أي من أنواع الكائنات الفطرية أو منتجاتها أو مشتقاتها التي تحددها الجهة المختصة؛ دون الحصول على موافقة الجهة المختصة.
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 25 explained in plain English
After Article 24 regulates trading in wildlife, including trade by import or export, this Article deals with a different situation: import and export for non-commercial purposes.
The rule: It is prohibited to import, export or re-export any species of wildlife, or their products or derivatives, that the competent authority specifies, for non-commercial purposes, without obtaining the approval of the competent authority.
Important notes:
- What is required here is the competent authority's approval; the text does not call it a license, as Article 24 does.
- The rule applies only to the species that the competent authority specifies.
- The prohibition covers the organism itself, its products (any part of it) and its derivatives (what is extracted from it), according to the definitions in Article 1.
The phrase "subject to paragraph 1 of Article 24": Paragraph 1 of Article 24 prohibits, without a license, trading in the locally specified species, whether by import or export, and also transiting, transporting, selling and possessing them. This Article does not cancel those provisions; a person who possesses or transports the organism inside the Kingdom remains subject to what paragraph 1 of Article 24 requires.
If you are traveling with a wildlife specimen or bringing one in for personal purposes, you may wish to consult a lawyer who specializes in environmental law.
Practical example
Turki owns a falcon of a species that the competent authority has specified, and he wants to travel with it to a neighboring country to take part in a personal, non-commercial hobby. Under Article 25, he needs the competent authority's approval before exporting it.
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 25 of the Saudi Environment Law
Do I need approval to export a wild animal for personal purposes?
Yes, if it is one of the species the competent authority specifies. The Article prohibits exporting it for non-commercial purposes without the competent authority's approval.
What is the difference between this Article and Article 24?
Article 24 requires a license for trading in the specified species, including by import and export. This Article covers import and export for non-commercial purposes and requires the competent authority's approval.
Does the rule cover products of wildlife?
Yes. It covers the organisms and their products and derivatives that the competent authority specifies.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Hunting and Wildlife
- Article 23
The article tasks the competent authority with specifying the endangered wild organism species whose killing, hunting, or trade in them, their derivatives or products is prohibited.
تُحدد الجهة المختصة أنواع الكائنات الفطرية المهددة بالانقراض التي يُحظر قتلها أو صيدها، أو الاتجار بها أو مشتقاتها أو منتجاتها.
- Article 24
The article prohibits, without a license, trading in, transporting, selling and possessing wild organism species the competent authority specifies, and keeping live animals of them in controlled places or using them in shows.
1- يُحظر -دون الحصول على ترخيص فيما يتعلق بأنواع الكائنات الفطرية التي تحددها الجهة المختصة- القيام بأي مما يأتي: أ- الاتجار بأي منها أو منتجاتها أو مشتقاتها، س
- Article 26
The Article prohibits killing or harming live wild animals, and as an exception allows killing them in specific cases set out in the regulations.
يُحظر قتل الكائنات الفطرية الحيوانية الحية أو إيذاؤها. واستثناء من ذلك، يجوز في حالات محددة قتل تلك الكائنات، وذلك وفقاً لما تُبيّنه اللوائح.
- Article 27
The Article prohibits hunting live wild animals, and allows hunting specific species under a license, provided the specified species, places and times are respected and no lures or mass-capture methods are used.
يُحظر صيد الكائنات الفطرية الحيوانية الحية. واستثناء من ذلك، يجوز صيد أنواع محددة منها بعد الحصول على ترخيص، مع مراعاة الآتي: 1- أن يُقصر الصيد على الأنواع التي
- Article 28
The Article prohibits bringing any biological control agent into the Kingdom, or using one, without a license, in accordance with the regulations.
يُحظر إدخال أي من وسائل المكافحة الحيوية إلى المملكة، أو استخدام أي منها؛ دون الحصول على ترخيص، وذلك وفقاً لما تُبيّنه اللوائح.
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.