Article 114 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 114 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب العاشر: المخلصون الجمركيون
After an investigation, the Director General may impose a warning, a fine of up to SAR 5,000, suspension for up to two years or license cancellation on the agent and his representative, with a grievance allowed within 30 days.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة نص المادة (141 ) من هذا النظام " القانون " وعدم الإخلال بأية مسؤولية مدنية أو جزائية يقرها هذا النظام " القانون " أو أي نظام "قانون" آخر، للمدير العام أن يفرض على المخلص ومندوبي المخلص الجمركي - بعد إجراء التحقيق اللازم معه بمعرفة الجهة المختصة بالإدارة، وبما يتناسب وحجم مخالفته للالتزامات المفروضة عليه - العقوبات التالية:
1 - الإنذار .
2 - غرامة مالية لا تتجاوز 5000 ريال سعودي أو ما يعادلها من عملات دول المجلس الأخرى .
3 - الإيقاف عن العمل لمدة لا تزيد عن سنتين .
4 - إلغاء الرخصة والمنع من مزاولة المهنة نهائيا .
ويجوز التظلم من تطبيق هذه العقوبات لدى الوزير أو الجهة المختصة خلال ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ إبلاغه بها . ويكون قرار الوزير أو الجهة المختصة قطعيا .
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 114 explained in plain English
This article sets the disciplinary penalties for the customs clearance agent and his representatives.
The framework: subject to Article 141, and without prejudice to any civil or criminal liability established by this law or any other law. Article 141 imposes fines, except in the cases treated as smuggling under Article 143, in accordance with rules in the Implementing Regulations, for violations including those concerning customs declarations, import, export, transit, warehouses, temporary admission, re-export and any other customs violation.
Conditions for imposing a penalty:
- It must be imposed by the Director General.
- After the necessary investigation by the competent department of the Administration.
- In proportion to the size of the violation of the obligations imposed on him.
The penalties:
- A warning.
- A financial fine not exceeding SAR 5,000 or its equivalent in the currencies of the Council states.
- Suspension from work for a period not exceeding two years.
- Cancellation of the license and permanent prohibition from practicing the profession.
Grievance: a grievance may be submitted to the Minister or the competent authority within 30 days of the date of notification of the penalty, and the decision of the Minister or the competent authority is final.
A disciplinary penalty therefore does not prevent holding the agent civilly or criminally liable. Article 115 requires the agent to keep a record of his transactions for five years. Anyone against whom a penalty has been issued would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial cases before the thirty-day period lapses.
Practical example
A customs clearance agent in Riyadh repeatedly submitted incomplete declarations. After investigating him, the Director General decided to suspend him from work for six months. He may submit a grievance to the Minister or the competent authority within 30 days of being notified, and the decision issued on his grievance is final.
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 114 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
What are the penalties for a violating customs clearance agent?
A warning, a fine not exceeding SAR 5,000, suspension from work for a period not exceeding two years, or cancellation of the license and permanent prohibition from practicing.
How long is the period to submit a grievance against a clearance agent's penalty?
Thirty days from the date he is notified of the penalty, before the Minister or the competent authority, whose decision is final.
Is an investigation required before the penalty?
Yes. The penalty is imposed after the necessary investigation by the competent department of the Administration.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Customs Broker
- Article 108
A customs clearance agent is any natural or legal person who prepares, signs and submits customs declarations and completes clearance procedures for goods on behalf of others.
يعد مخلصا جمركيا كل شخص طبيعي أو اعتباري يزاول إعداد البيانات الجمركية وتوقيعها وتقديمها للدائرة الجمركية وإتمام الإجراءات الجمركية الخاصة بتخليص البضائع لحساب
- Article 109
Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council states, natural and legal persons, may practice the customs clearance profession after obtaining a license from the Administration.
يحق لمواطني دول المجلس ( الطبيعيين والاعتباريين ) مزاولة مهنة التخليص الجمركي بعد الحصول على ترخيص من الإدارة
- Article 110
A declaration of goods for import, export or transit is accepted from their owners or authorized representatives under the Director General's conditions, or from licensed customs clearance agents.
يقبل التصريح عن البضائع لدى الدائرة الجمركية وإتمام الإجراءات الجمركية عليها سواء كان ذلك للاستيراد أم للتصدير أم العبور "ترانزيت" من : 1 - مالكي البضائع أو ممث
- Article 111
Endorsing the delivery order to the customs clearance agent or the owners' representatives is an authorization to complete the procedures, and the Administration bears no responsibility for delivering goods to the person to whom the order was endorsed.
يعد تظهير إذن التسليم لاسم المخلص الجمركي أو ممثلي مالكي البضاعة تفويضا لإتمام الإجراءات الجمركية عليها، دون تحمل الإدارة أي مسؤولية من جراء تسليم البضاعة إلى م
- Article 112
A customs clearance agent is responsible for his acts and those of his subordinates before importers, exporters and the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of this law.
يعد المخلص الجمركي مسؤولاً عن أعماله وأعمال تابعيه أمام المستوردين والمصدرين وأمام الإدارة وفق أحكام هذا النظام " القانون".
- Article 113
The text authorizes the Director General to issue instructions on eleven matters concerning clearance agents and their representatives, including licensing conditions, their obligations, opening offices and withdrawing licenses.
للمدير العام أن يصدر التعليمات اللازمة لما يلي : 1 - الشروط اللازمة لمنح التراخيص في مزاولة مهنة التخليص الجمركي 2 - الشروط اللازمة لمنح التراخيص في مزاولة مهنة
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.