Article 20 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 20 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب الثالث: المنع والتقييد
Article 20 prohibits sea transport vessels entering the State from anchoring anywhere other than ports prepared to receive them, except in an emergency maritime circumstance or force majeure, and requires the master to notify the nearest customs district or security post without delay.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر على وسائل النقل البحرية التي تدخل الدولة مهما كانت حمولتها الاستيعابية أن ترسو في غير الموانئ المعدة لاستقبالها، إلا في ظرف بحري طارئ أو بسبب قوة قاهرة، وعلى الربان في هذه الحالة أن يقوم بإشعار أقرب دائرة جمركية أو مركز أمني بذلك دون إبطاء.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article regulates where sea transport vessels anchor when they enter the State.
The rule: they are prohibited, whatever their carrying capacity, from anchoring anywhere other than the ports prepared to receive them. The rule covers large and small vessels without distinction.
The exception: anchoring outside these ports is permitted in two cases:
- An emergency maritime circumstance.
- Or force majeure.
The master's duty under the exception: to notify the nearest customs district or security post of this without delay.
The apparent purpose of this provision is that goods arriving by sea remain under customs control, which is consistent with Article 19, which requires a customs declaration for every good entering or leaving the State, and its presentation to the customs authorities at the nearest customs district.
Article 21 sets a special rule for vessels whose carrying capacity is less than two hundred nautical tons, prohibiting them from entering or moving within the maritime customs zone loaded with restricted goods, goods prohibited from import, or goods subject to high duty categories, except in maritime emergencies or force majeure.
The article does not define an emergency maritime circumstance or force majeure, and does not specify the method of notification or the penalty for violation.
To assess the position of a particular shipment or transaction, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial matters.
Practical example
A cargo ship heading for Dammam port is hit by a severe storm, and its master is forced to anchor at a mooring not prepared to receive it. Under this article that is permitted because of the emergency maritime circumstance, but the master must notify the nearest customs district or security post without delay.
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 20 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
May a ship anchor outside the ports prepared to receive it?
No, except in an emergency maritime circumstance or because of force majeure.
What is the master's duty if he anchors out of necessity?
To notify the nearest customs district or security post of it without delay.
Does the prohibition cover small vessels?
Yes. The text applies to sea transport vessels whatever their carrying capacity.
More articles on Prohibition, Restriction and Points of Entry
- Article 19
Article 19 requires a customs declaration for every good entering or leaving the State, and the goods to be presented to the customs authorities at the nearest customs district.
يقدم عن كل بضاعة تدخل الدولة أو تخرج منها بيان جمركي، وتعرض البضاعة على السلطات الجمركية في أقرب دائرة جمركية.
- Article 21
Article 21 prohibits vessels with a carrying capacity under two hundred nautical tons from entering or moving within the maritime customs zone loaded with restricted, prohibited or high-duty goods, except in a maritime emergency or force majeure.
يحظر على السفن التي تقل حولتها الاستيعابية عن مائتي طن بحري أن تدخل أو تنتقل ضمن النطاق الجمركي البحري وهي محملة بالبضائع المقيدة، أو الممنوع استيرادها، أو الخا
- Article 22
Article 22 prohibits aircraft departing from or arriving in the State from taking off or landing at airports with no customs district except in force majeure, and requires the pilot to notify and submit a supported report, unless otherwise provided.
يحظر على الطائرات المغادرة من الدولة أو القادمة إليها أن تقلع أو تهبط في المطارات التي لا توجد فيها دوائر جمركية، إلا في حالات القوة القاهرة، وعلى قائد الطائرة
- Article 23
Article 23 prohibits land transport means from entering or leaving the State in areas where there are no customs districts.
يحظر على وسائل النقل البرية دخول الدولة أو الخروج منها في المناطق التي لا توجد فيها دوائر جمركية.
- Article 24
Article 24 requires the Administration to prevent the entry, exit or transit of prohibited or non-compliant goods, and of restricted goods except with the approval of the competent bodies in the State.
تمنع الإدارة بموجب أحكام هذا النظام "القانون" أو أي نظام "قانون" أو قرار آخر دخول البضائع الممنوعة أو المخالفة أو خروجها أو عبورها، كما تمنع دخول البضائع المقيد
- Article 37
Aircraft crossing the State's borders must follow the air routes set for them and land only at airports with customs districts, subject to Article 22.
مع مراعاة ما نصت عليه المادة (22) من هذا النظام "القانون" على الطائرات أن تسلك عند اجتيازها حدود الدولة الطرق الجوية المحددة لها، وألا تهبط إلا في المطارات التي
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.