Article 16 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 16 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثالث: العقوبات
The article punishes with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 2,500,000, or either, anyone who smuggles explosives into the Kingdom with intent to trade in them or who manufactures them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشر سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليونين وخمسمائة ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من هرب متفجرات إلى داخل المملكة بقصد الاتجار، أو قام بصنعها.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalty for two forms of unlawful dealing in explosives:
- Smuggling explosives into the Kingdom with intent to trade in them.
- Manufacturing explosives.
The penalty is imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to SAR 2.5 million, or either of the two. The judicial authority may impose both penalties together or just one, within these two maximums.
The place of this article is clear when it is compared with the ones before and after it:
- Article 15 imposes a harsher penalty (up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either) where the smuggling, manufacturing or other acts are done with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security.
- This article punishes smuggling when it is with intent to trade, and manufacturing.
- Article 17 imposes a lighter penalty (up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, or either) for possessing explosives, transporting them knowing they are explosives, buying, selling or using them.
The Law thus grades the penalty by the seriousness of the act and the intent behind it. Note that the article speaks of explosives, not fireworks; smuggling and manufacturing fireworks carry a separate penalty in Article 21. The provisions apply subject to the Unified Customs Law, in accordance with Article 14.
Anyone facing a charge under this article needs to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
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 16 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
What is the penalty for smuggling explosives in order to sell them?
Imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to SAR 2,500,000, or either penalty.
Does the penalty differ if the smuggling is intended to undermine security?
Yes. Article 15 then applies, with imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either.
More articles on Penalties for Explosives Offenses
- Article 14
The article applies the Law's provisions to violators, subject to what the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and its implementing regulations provide.
مع مراعاة ما يقضي به نظام "قانون" الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، ولائحته التنفيذية؛ تطبق الأحكام الواردة في هذا النظام على مخالفي أحكامه.
- Article 15
The article punishes with up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either, anyone who commits explosives-related acts with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security, unless the circumstances call for a harsher penalty.
مالم تقتض ملابسات الجريمة عقوبة أشد، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشرين سنة وبغرامة لا تزيد على خمسة ملايين ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من ثبت قيامه - بقصد
- Article 17
The article punishes with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, or either, anyone who possesses explosives, transports them knowing they are explosives, or buys, sells or uses them.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليون ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من حاز متفجرات، أو نقلها مع علمه أنها متفجرات، أو اشتراها، أو
- Article 24
The article punishes anyone proven to have knowingly taken part in committing any violation of the Explosives and Fireworks Law with the penalty set for the violator himself.
يعاقب بالعقوبة المقررة على المخالف، كل من ثبتت مشاركته في ارتكاب أي من مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام مع علمه بذلك.
- Article 25
The article provides for applying the Explosives and Fireworks Law's penalties and doubling them in case of repeat offense, unless another law provides a harsher penalty.
تطبق العقوبات الواردة في هذا النظام وتضاعف في حالة العود، ما لم ينص على عقوبة أشد في نظام آخر.
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.