Article 21 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 21 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الباب الثالث: المنع والتقييد
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الخاضعة لفئات رسوم عالية في التعرفة الجمركية، إلا في الظروف الناشئة عن طوارئ بحرية، أو بسبب قوة قاهرة، وعلى الربان في هذه الحالة أن يقوم بإشعار أقرب دائرة جمركية أو مركز أمني بذلك دون إبطاء، ويستثنى من ذلك البضائع المنقولة بين موانئ الدولة والتي أنهيت إجراءاتها الجمركية.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article sets a prohibition specific to small vessels, that is, those whose carrying capacity is less than two hundred nautical tons.
The prohibition: they may not enter or move within the maritime customs zone loaded with any of the following:
- Restricted goods.
- Goods prohibited from import.
- Goods subject to high duty categories in the customs tariff.
The exceptions:
- Circumstances arising from maritime emergencies or force majeure, in which case the master must notify the nearest customs district or security post without delay.
- Goods transported between the State's ports whose customs procedures have been completed, which the prohibition does not cover.
To understand the article, refer to the definitions in Article 2: the maritime customs zone is the sea area between the shores and the end of the territorial waters limits, restricted goods are those whose import or export is restricted under the Law or any other law, and prohibited goods are those the State prohibits importing or exporting.
The article does not specify what the "high duty categories" are; that is a matter for the customs tariff.
This article complements the general rule of Article 20, which prohibits sea transport vessels, whatever their capacity, from anchoring anywhere other than the ports prepared to receive them except in an emergency circumstance or force majeure.
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 small boat with a capacity of less than two hundred nautical tons carries restricted goods and moves in waters near the coast. This is prohibited under the article, unless it is because of a maritime emergency or force majeure with notice to the authorities without delay, or the goods are being transported between the State's ports and their customs procedures have been completed.
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 21 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
May small boats carry restricted goods in territorial waters?
Vessels with a carrying capacity under two hundred nautical tons are prohibited from entering or moving within the maritime customs zone loaded with restricted, prohibited or high-duty goods, except for maritime emergencies or force majeure.
Does the prohibition cover goods transported between the Kingdom's ports?
It does not cover goods transported between the State's ports whose customs procedures have been completed.
What is the maritime customs zone?
Under Article 2, it is the sea area between the shores and the end of the territorial waters limits.
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 20
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.
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، وع
- 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.