Article 133 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 133 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الثاني: محضر الضبط
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للدائرة الجمركية حجز البضائع موضوع المخالفة أو جرم التهريب والأشياء التي استعملت لإخفائها، وكذلك وسائط النقل من أي نوع كانت؛ كالقوارب والسيارات والحيوانات، عدا البواخر والطائرات والحافلات العامة المعدة لنقل الركاب، إلا إذا أعدت خصيصا لغرض التهريب .
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 133 explained in plain English
This article sets out what the customs office may seize when a violation or a smuggling offense occurs.
What may be seized:
- The goods that are the subject of the violation or the smuggling offense.
- The things used to conceal them.
- Means of transport of any kind, such as boats, cars and animals.
What is excluded from the seizure of means of transport:
- Ships.
- Aircraft.
- Public buses designed for carrying passengers.
An exception to the exception: these vehicles may also be seized if they were specially prepared for the purpose of smuggling.
The apparent rationale: ships, aircraft and public buses serve a large number of people, and seizing them because of the violation of one passenger or shipper may harm others. If they were prepared for the smuggling itself, there is no justification for excluding them.
Note that the article speaks of seizure and not of confiscation, and seizure is a measure that does not necessarily mean transfer of ownership. Article 132 makes a seizure report drawn up under Articles 130 and 131 evidence of the material facts unless the contrary is proven. Article 134 provides that dealing with smuggled narcotics and the like is in accordance with the laws in force in the state. Anyone whose car was seized would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and customs cases.
Practical example
Customs employees found smuggled goods hidden in the cavities of a private car. Both the goods and the car may be seized. But if the goods were found with a passenger on a public transport bus, the bus is not seized unless it is proven to have been specially prepared for smuggling.
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 133 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
May customs seize my car in a smuggling case?
Yes. The customs office may seize means of transport of any kind, such as cars.
Does customs seize aircraft or ships?
Ships, aircraft and public buses designed for carrying passengers are not seized, unless they were specially prepared for the purpose of smuggling.
Does the seizure include what was used to conceal the goods?
Yes. It includes the things used to conceal them.
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 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
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.