Article 131 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 131 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الثاني: محضر الضبط
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المخالفين أو المسؤولين عن التهريب وجنسياتهم وصفاتهم ومهنهم وعناوينهم التفصيلية .
4 - البضائع المحجوزة وأنواعها وكمياتها وقيمتها وبندها الجمركي .
5 - تفصيل الوقائع وأقوال المخالفين أو المسؤولين عن التهريب وأقوال الشهود في حالة وجودهم .
6 - النص في محضر الضبط على أنه تُلي على المخالفين أو المسؤولين عن التهريب الحاضرين الذين أيدوه بتوقيعهم أو رفضوا ذلك .
7 - جميع الوثائق الأخرى المفيدة ، وحضور المخالفين أو المسؤولين عن التهريب عند جرد البضائع أو امتناعهم عن ذلك .
8 - إحالة عينات من المادة المهربة المضبوطة إلى جهات الاختصاص للتأكد من كونها مادة ممنوعة .
9 - تحديد الجهة التي سُلمت إليها المواد المهربة وتوقيع هذه الجهة بالتسليم .
10 - تحديد الجهة الأمنية التي أودع المهرب أو المهربون لديها وساعة التسليم وتاريخه.
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 131 explained in plain English
This article sets out the mandatory particulars of the seizure report:
- The place where it was drawn up and its date and hour in words and figures.
- The names of those who observed the incident and those who drew up the report, their signatures and the nature of their work.
- The names of the violators or those responsible for the smuggling, their nationalities, descriptions, professions and detailed addresses.
- The goods seized and their types, quantities, value and customs item.
- The details of the facts, the statements of the violators, and the statements of witnesses if any.
- A statement that the report was read to the violators present, and that they confirmed it by their signature or refused to.
- All other useful documents, and whether the violators were present when the goods were inventoried or refused.
- The referral of samples of the smuggled material to the competent bodies to confirm that it is prohibited.
- Identifying the body to which the smuggled materials were handed and its signature of receipt.
- Identifying the security body with which the smuggler or smugglers were deposited, and the hour and date of handover.
Practical notes: the violator is entitled to have his statements recorded in the report, to have it read to him, and to have his signature or refusal noted in it. Refusing to sign does not prevent the report from being drawn up, but it is recorded in it.
Article 130 requires the report to be drawn up by at least two employees. Article 132 makes a report drawn up under Articles 130 and 131 evidence of the material facts its drafters observed unless the contrary is proven, and a formal deficiency does not invalidate it. Anyone reviewing a report drawn up against them would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and customs cases.
Practical example
Customs employees at a land crossing seized a traveler carrying undeclared goods. They record in the report the place, date and hour, the traveler's name, nationality and address, the type, quantity, value and customs item of the goods, and his statements, then read it to him and record his signature or refusal.
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 131 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
What particulars must be stated in a customs seizure report?
Ten particulars, including the place, date and hour, the names of the officers and violators, the goods seized, the details of the facts and statements, reading the report, and the handover bodies.
Must the report be read to the violator?
Yes. It must state that it was read to the violators present, who confirmed it by their signature or refused.
Are witnesses' statements recorded in the report?
Yes, witnesses' statements are recorded if there are any.
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 130
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.
ينظم محضر الضبط موظفان على الأقل من الجمارك حال اكتشاف المخالفة أو جريمة التهريب ، ويجوز عند الضرورة أن ينظم محضر الضبط موظف واحد .
- 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.