Article 130 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 130 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الثاني: محضر الضبط
A seizure report is drawn up by at least two customs employees when the violation or smuggling offense is discovered, and one employee may draw it up where necessary.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ينظم محضر الضبط موظفان على الأقل من الجمارك حال اكتشاف المخالفة أو جريمة التهريب ، ويجوز عند الضرورة أن ينظم محضر الضبط موظف واحد .
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 130 explained in plain English
This article sets who draws up the seizure report and when.
The rule: the report is drawn up by at least two customs employees.
The timing: when the violation or the smuggling offense is discovered, that is, as soon as it is discovered.
The exception: where necessary, the report may be drawn up by one employee. The article does not specify the cases of necessity.
The rationale: requiring two employees strengthens the report's credibility and reduces the chance of error or of one person acting alone in his assessment. Drawing it up immediately preserves the details of the incident before they change.
Article 131 specifies what must be stated in the report, including: the place, date and hour of drawing it up in words and figures; the names of those who observed the incident and drew up the report and their signatures; the names and particulars of the violators; the goods seized and their types, quantities, value and customs item; the details of the facts and statements; a statement that it was read to those present and their signature or refusal; the referral of samples; the body to which the materials were handed; and the security body with which the smugglers were deposited.
Article 129 provides for drawing up the report in accordance with the procedures set in the law. Anyone against whom a report drawn up by one employee was issued would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and customs 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 130 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
How many employees draw up a customs seizure report?
At least two, though one employee may draw it up where necessary.
When is the seizure report drawn up?
When the violation or the smuggling offense is discovered.
More articles on Seizure Report and Customs Detention
- Article 126
Smuggling may be investigated and goods seized across the state in the land and maritime zones, customs offices, ports and airports, and outside the zones in continuous pursuit.
يجوز إجراء التحري عن التهريب وحجز البضائع وتحقيق المخالفات الجمركية بشأن جميع البضائع على امتداد أراضي الدولة في الحالات التالية: 1 - في النطاقين الجمركيين البر
- Article 128
Customs employees may detain anyone they suspect of committing, attempting or being connected with smuggling, or transporting or possessing smuggled goods.
يجوز لموظفي الإدارة التحفظ على أي شخص إذا كان لديهم اشتباه بأنه ارتكب أو حاول ارتكاب جريمة أو كان ذا علاقة بارتكاب جريمة من الجرائم التالية: 1 - التهريب. 2 - نق
- Article 129
A seizure report is drawn up for customs violations and smuggling offenses in accordance with the procedures set in this law.
يُحرر محضر الضبط لمخالفات وجرائم التهريب الجمركي وفق الأصول المحددة في هذا النظام "القانون ".
- Article 131
The article lists ten items that must be stated in the seizure report, including the place, date, hour, names of the officers, violators, goods, facts, statements, reading of the report and handover.
يذكر في محضر الضبط ما يلي : 1 - مكان تنظيمه وتاريخه وساعته بالأحرف والأرقام . 2 - أسماء ضابطي الواقعة ومنظمي محضر الضبط وتوقيعهم وطبيعة أعمالهم . 3 - أسماء المخ
- Article 132
A seizure report drawn up under Articles 130 and 131 is evidence of the material facts its drafters personally observed unless the contrary is proven, and a formal deficiency does not invalidate it.
أ - يعد محضر الضبط المنظم وفق المادتين 130 - 131 من هذا النظام " القانون" حجة فيما يتعلق بالوقائع المادية التي عاينها منظموه بأنفسهم ما لم يثبت العكس . ب - لا ي
- Article 133
The customs office may seize the goods subject to the violation or smuggling, the things used to conceal them and means of transport, except ships, aircraft and public buses unless specially prepared for smuggling.
للدائرة الجمركية حجز البضائع موضوع المخالفة أو جرم التهريب والأشياء التي استعملت لإخفائها، وكذلك وسائط النقل من أي نوع كانت؛ كالقوارب والسيارات والحيوانات، عدا
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.

