Article 169 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 169 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب الرابع عشر: بيع البضائع
The Administration bears no responsibility for malfunction or damage to goods it sells under the Law, unless it is proved that it committed an obvious error in carrying out the sale.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تتحمل الإدارة أي مسؤولية عن العطل أو الضرر الذي يلحق بالبضائع التي تقوم ببيعها بموجب أحكام هذا النظام " القانون "، إلا إذا ثبت أنها ارتكبت خطأ بينا في إجراء عملية البيع .
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 169 explained in plain English
This article specifies the limits of the Administration's responsibility when goods are sold.
The rule: the Administration bears no responsibility for malfunction or damage to goods it sells under the provisions of the Law.
The exception: if it is proved that it committed an obvious error in carrying out the sale.
What this means:
- As a rule the Administration is not responsible for the condition of the goods sold.
- Responsibility arises only for an obvious error, meaning a clear one, not any minor error.
- The error must be in carrying out the sale itself.
- The burden of proof is on the one alleging the error (“unless it is proved”).
The article does not define the forms of obvious error, so assessing it depends on the circumstances of each case. The rule affects an owner of goods who believes their sale was carried out wrongly and harmed him, and a buyer who suffers from the condition of the goods; each needs to prove the obvious error.
Article 168 specifies the goods the Administration sells, such as confiscated goods, goods waived, goods not withdrawn and goods of unknown owners. Article 170 provides that the sale is by public auction under conditions set by the Minister or the competent authority, and that goods are sold free of fees and taxes except the brokerage commission, which the buyer bears. A person harmed by a customs sale 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 169 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Is customs responsible for damage to goods it sells?
It bears no responsibility for malfunction or damage, unless it is proved that it committed an obvious error in carrying out the sale.
Who proves customs' error in the sale?
The article requires the obvious error to be proved, so the burden of proof is on the one who alleges it.
More articles on Sale of Goods and Customs Limitation Periods
- Article 146
The Director General may hold and sell seized goods and means of transport when smugglers flee or cannot be traced; the proceeds go to the State if one year passes from the sale without the smugglers being caught.
للمدير العام التحفظ على البضائع ووسائط النقل المضبوطة في حالة فرار المهربين أو عدم الاستدلال عليهم، وبيعها طبقا لأحكام الباب الرابع عشر من هذا النظام " القانون
- Article 166
The Administration may sell seized goods that are perishable or affect the safety of others, and goods whose value is falling with a license, without awaiting the judgment, with notice to the owner and refund of the price if the judgment favors him.
أ - للإدارة أن تبيع البضائع المحجوزة القابلة للتلف أو النقص أو التسرب أو كانت في حالة من شأنها أن تؤثر في سلامة البضائع الأخرى والمنشآت الموجودة فيها . ب - يجوز
- Article 167
After the period set by the Minister or the competent authority expires, the Administration may sell goods stored in customs warehouses or located in yards and on quays or abandoned in customs areas.
للإدارة بعد انقضاء المهلة التي حددها الوزير أو الجهة المختصة أن تبيع البضائع التي خزنت في المستودعات الجمركية أو الموجودة على الساحات والأرصفة، أو تلك المتروكة
- Article 168
The Administration sells goods and means of transport that became customs property by confiscation, settlement or waiver, goods not withdrawn from warehouses in time, and goods of unknown owners after the holding period.
تقوم الإدارة ببيع ما يلي : 1 - البضائع والمواد ووسائط النقل التي أصبحت ملكا للجمارك نتيجة حكم بالمصادرة أو تسوية صلحية أو تنازل خطي . 2 - البضائع التي لم تسحب م
- Article 170
Customs sales are conducted by public auction under the rules of the Minister or the competent authority, and goods are sold free of fees and taxes except the brokerage commission, which the buyer bears.
أ - تجري عمليات البيع المنصوص عليها في هذا الباب بالمزاد العلني وفقا للشروط والقواعد التي تحدد بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة . ب - تباع البضائع والأشياء ووسا
- Article 171
Sale proceeds are distributed starting with customs duties and then expenses; the balance for goods permitted for import is held in trust and may be reclaimed within a year, the balance for prohibited goods goes to the Treasury, and smuggling cases follow Article 172.
أ - يوزع حاصل البيع وفقا للترتيب التالي : 1- الضرائب " الرسوم " الجمركية . 2 - نفقات عملية البيع . 3 - النفقات التي صرفتها الإدارة من أي نوع كانت . 4 - أجرة الن
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.