Article 119 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 119 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب الحادي عشر: حقوق موظفي الإدارة وواجباتهم
Every employee of the customs Administration whose service ends for any reason must return what is in his custody to the Administration.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل موظف من موظفي الإدارة تنتهي خدماته لأي سبب كان ، أن يعيد ما في عهدته إلى الإدارة .
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 119 explained in plain English
This article places an obligation on customs employees when their service ends.
Elements of the rule:
- The person obliged: every employee of the Administration, without exception.
- The occasion: the end of his service for any reason, whether resignation, retirement, transfer, dismissal or otherwise.
- The obligation: to return what is in his custody to the Administration.
What is meant by custody? What was handed to the employee by virtue of his work to use in carrying out his duties, such as tools, documents and equipment. This includes a weapon for someone permitted to carry one under Article 118, which permits customs employees whose nature of work requires it to carry weapons, designated by decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
The text is general as to the reason for the end of service, so the obligation does not lapse for any reason. The article does not state a penalty for failing to return the custody, so the other laws are consulted for that.
Article 120 provides that the incentives and allowances granted to customs employees are determined by decision of the Minister or the competent authority on the Director General's proposal, and take effect after being approved by the competent bodies. The article addresses employees mainly; anyone who has a dispute with the Administration about custody would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative 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 119 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Must a customs employee return his custody when his service ends?
Yes. Every employee whose service ends for any reason must return what is in his custody to the Administration.
Does the rule differ depending on the reason the service ended?
No. The rule covers the end of service for any reason.
More articles on Customs Officers and Combating Smuggling
- Article 55
The department may open packages where it suspects prohibited goods or a mismatch with the documents, in the absence of an owner who refuses to attend despite being notified, and where necessary before notifying him, through a committee formed by the Director General.
للدائرة الجمركية الحق في فتح الطرود لمعاينتها عند الاشتباه بوجود بضائع ممنوعة أو مخالفة لما هو وارد في الوثائق الجمركية في غياب مالك البضاعة، أو من يمثله، إذا ا
- Article 81
The customs department may inspect free zones and markets for goods prohibited from entering, and audit documents and examine goods when smuggling is suspected.
للدائرة الجمركية القيام بأعمال التفتيش في المناطق والأسواق الحرة عن البضائع الممنوع دخولها إليها ،كما يجوز لها تدقيق المستندات والكشف على البضائع لدى الاشتباه ب
- Article 116
Customs employees are judicial police officers while working, within their jurisdiction, and are given a card to show on request and wear an official uniform if their work requires it.
أ - يعد موظفو الإدارة أثناء قيامهم بأعمالهم من رجال الضبط القضائي ، وذلك في حدود اختصاصاتهم . ب - يعطى موظفو الإدارة عند تعيينهم بطاقة تثبت طبيعة عملهم ، وعليهم
- Article 117
Civil and military authorities and the internal security forces must give customs employees every assistance as soon as they ask, and the Administration must cooperate with other official bodies.
على السلطات المدنية والعسكرية وقوى الأمن الداخلي أن تقدم لموظفي الإدارة كل مساعدة للقيام بعملهم بمجرد طلبهم ذلك ، كما يجب على الإدارة التعاون مع الجهات الرسمية
- Article 118
Customs employees whose work requires it are permitted to carry weapons, and these employees are designated by decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
يسمح بحمل السلاح لموظفي الجمارك الذين تتطلب طبيعة عملهم ذلك ، ويحدد هؤلاء الموظفون بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة .
- Article 120
Incentives and allowances for customs employees, according to the nature of their work, are set by decision of the Minister or the competent authority on the Director General's proposal, and apply once approved by the competent bodies.
يحدد بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة بناء على اقتراح من المدير العام الحوافز والبدلات التي تمنح لموظفي الجمارك حسب طبيعة عملهم ، ويُعمل بها بعد إقرارها من جهات
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.

