Article 1 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 1 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب الأول: تعريفات وأحكام عامة
The article sets the name of the Law as the Unified Customs Law of the GCC States, referred to by the word "the Law".
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يسمى هذا النظام "القانون" (نظام "قانون" الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية).
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 1 explained in plain English
This opening article sets the name of the Law: the "Unified Customs Law (Nizam) of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States", and provides that it is called "the Law".
The importance of this naming is practical, since the word "the Law" wherever it appears in the following articles means this Law itself. That is why the phrase "this Law" is repeated throughout its provisions.
Two things can be noted from the name:
- That it is unified, meaning a customs law common to the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
- That it concerns customs, meaning the rules that govern customs work.
This article connects with Article 2, which defines the meanings of the terms used in the Law, its explanatory memorandum and its implementing regulations. Among those definitions, the "Council" is the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States, and the "Law" is the rules and provisions that govern customs work and any other rules or provisions that supplement, complete or amend it.
The article contains no substantive provision; it is an article that identifies the name only, and it does not set a date of effect or scope of application.
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 1 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
What is the name of the customs law in force?
The Unified Customs Law (Nizam) of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States, referred to as "the Law".
What does the word "the Law" mean in this Law?
It means this Law itself, which Article 2 defines as the rules and provisions that govern customs work and any rules that supplement, complete or amend it.
More articles on Customs Law Definitions and Scope
- Article 2
The article defines 42 terms in the Unified Customs Law, its explanatory memorandum and its implementing regulations, including the customs department, customs zone, tariff, customs declaration and customs clearance agent.
يكون للكلمات والعبارات التالية حيثما وردت في هذا النظام "القانون" ومذكرته الإيضاحية ولائحته التنفيذية ، المعاني الموضحة أمام كل منها ما لم يقتض السياق معنى آخر
- Article 3
The article provides that the customs law applies to lands under the state's sovereignty and its territorial waters, and allows free zones to be established to which the customs provisions do not apply in whole or in part.
تسري أحكام هذا النظام "القانون" على الأراضي الخاضعة لسيادة الدولة ومياهها الإقليمية، ويجوز أن تنشأ في هذه الأراضي مناطق حرة لا تسري عليها الأحكام الجمركية كليا
- Article 4
The article subjects every item of goods that crosses the customs line, whether entering or leaving, to the provisions of the Unified Customs Law.
تخضع كل بضاعة تجتاز الخط الجمركي في الإدخال أو في الإخراج لأحكام هذا النظام "القانون".
- Article 5
The article provides that the Directorate carries out its work in the customs department and the customs zone, and may exercise its powers across the state's lands and territorial waters under the conditions set in the Law.
تمارس الإدارة عملها في الدائرة الجمركية وفي النطاق الجمركي، ولها أيضا أن تمارس صلاحيتها على امتداد أراضي الدولة ومياهها الإقليمية وذلك ضمن الشروط المحددة في هذا
- Article 6
The article provides that customs departments are established and abolished by a decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
تنشأ الدوائر الجمركية وتلغى بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة.
- Article 7
The article provides that the jurisdictions of customs departments and their working hours are determined by a decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
تحدد اختصاصات الدوائر الجمركية وساعات العمل فيها بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة.
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.