Article 155 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 155 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل السابع: المسؤولية والتضامن
Operators of private places where goods subject to a violation are deposited are liable for them; operators of public places and public passenger transport are liable unless they prove lack of knowledge and of interest.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعد مستثمرو المحلات والأماكن الخاصة التي تودع فيها البضائع موضوع المخالفة أو جريمة التهريب مسؤولين عنها ، أما مستثمرو المحلات والأماكن العامة وموظفوها، وكذلك أصحاب وسائط نقل الركاب العامة وسائقوها ومعاونوهم فهم مسؤولون ما لم يثبتوا عدم علمهم بوجود البضائع موضوع المخالفة أو التهريب وعدم وجود مصلحة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة لهم بذلك.
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 155 explained in plain English
This article determines the liability of those in whose places or vehicles violating or smuggled goods are deposited, and distinguishes two categories:
First category: operators of private premises and places
They are treated as liable for the goods that are the subject of the violation or smuggling crime deposited in their premises and places. The text does not give them a way to negate liability.
Second category:
- Operators of public premises and places and their employees.
- Owners of public passenger transport and their drivers and assistants.
These are liable unless they prove both of the following:
- Their lack of knowledge of the presence of the goods that are the subject of the violation or smuggling.
- The absence of any direct or indirect interest of theirs in it.
The apparent rationale: public places and public transport are used by many people, so it is hard for their owners to monitor everything that enters them, and they are allowed to negate liability. As for private places, the owner is presumed to know what is deposited in them.
Note that the burden of proof is on the second category, and both matters must be proven together. Article 154 provides that civil liability in smuggling arises when the material elements are present and good faith or ignorance is not accepted, except by proving force majeure or that no act was committed. Article 156 makes guarantors liable within the limits of their guarantees for duties, fines and amounts due. A person on whose premises violating goods were seized would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and customs cases.
Practical example
The driver of a public bus between two cities, in whose passenger's luggage smuggled goods are found. The driver is liable unless he proves he did not know of their presence and has no direct or indirect interest in them.
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 155 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Is the owner of a private warehouse liable for smuggled goods in it?
Yes. Operators of private premises and places in which goods that are the subject of the violation or smuggling are deposited are treated as liable for them.
How does a public bus driver negate his liability?
By proving he did not know of the presence of the goods and has no direct or indirect interest in them.
More articles on Smuggling, Customs Violations and Penalties
- Article 87
The administration of free zones and markets is responsible for violations by its employees and for goods leaking out unlawfully, and the regulations on security, public health and suppressing smuggling and fraud remain in force there.
تعد إدارة المناطق والأسواق الحرة مسؤولة عن جميع المخالفات التي يرتكبها موظفوها، وعن تسرب البضائع منها بصورة غير مشروعة، وتبقى نافذة فيها جميع الأنظمة والتعليمات
- Article 139
Collected customs fines and confiscations under the law are treated as civil compensation to the administration and are not covered by general amnesty provisions.
تعد الغرامات الجمركية المحصلة والمصادرات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام "القانون "تعويضا مدنيا للإدارة ولا تشملها أحكام العفو العام .
- Article 140
Where there are several violations, a fine is due for each violation separately, and only the most severe fine applies if the violations are so connected that they cannot be separated.
عند تعدد المخالفات تستحق الغرامة عن كل مخالفة على حدة، ويكتفى بالغرامة الأشد إذا كانت المخالفات مرتبطة ببعضها على نحو لا يحتمل التجزئة.
- Article 141
Other than cases treated as smuggling under Article 143, and consistent with international agreements in force, a fine under the Implementing Regulations applies to eight categories of customs violations, including declarations, import and transit.
فيما عدا الحالات التي تعد في حكم التهريب، المنصوص عليها في المادة (143) من هذا النظام "القانون"، وبما لا يتعارض ونصوص الاتفاقيات الدولية النافذة، تفرض غرامة مال
- Article 142
Smuggling is bringing goods in or out, or attempting to do so, in breach of legislation, without paying customs duties in whole or in part or contrary to prohibition or restriction provisions.
التهريب هو إدخال أو محاولة إدخال البضائع إلى البلاد أو إخراجها، أو محاولة إخراجها منها بصورة مخالفة للتشريعات المعمول بها، دون أداء الضرائب " الرسوم " الجمركية
- Article 143
The article lists fourteen cases treated as smuggling, including passing the customs department, concealment in hiding places, forged documents, and removing goods from free zones without completing procedures.
يدخل في حكم التهريب بصورة خاصة ما يلي : 1 - عدم التوجه بالبضائع عند الإدخال إلى أول دائرة جمركية . 2 - عدم اتباع الطرق المحددة في إدخال البضائع وإخراجها . 3 - ت
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.