Article 34 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 34 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الأول: الاستيراد: 1- النقل بحراً
If the packages unloaded or bulk goods fall short of the manifest, the master states the reason and proves with documents that it occurred outside the maritime customs zone, and may be given up to six months against a guarantee.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا تحقق نقص في عدد القطع أو الطرود المفرغة عما هو مدرج في بيان الحمولة "المنافست" أو في مقدار البضائع الفرط، فعلى ربان السفينة أو من يمثله بيان سبب هذا النقص وتأييده بمستندات تثبت أنه تم خارج النطاق الجمركي البحري، وإذا تعذر تقديم هذه المستندات في الحال، يجوز إعطاء مهلة لا تتجاوز ستة أشهر لتقديمها بعد أخذ ضمان يكفل حقوق الإدارة.
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 34 explained in plain English
This article shows what the ship's master must do when a shortage is found in the goods unloaded compared with what is listed in the cargo manifest.
When it applies: if there is a shortage in the number of pieces or packages unloaded compared with what is listed in the manifest, or in the quantity of bulk goods.
The duty of the master or his representative:
- To state the reason for the shortage.
- To support it with documents proving it occurred outside the maritime customs zone, which under the Law's definitions is the sea area between the shores and the end of the territorial waters limits.
The time allowed: if the documents cannot be submitted immediately, a period not exceeding six months may be given to submit them, on condition that a guarantee protecting the Administration's rights is taken. The period is discretionary, meaning it is at the Administration's discretion and not an automatic right.
This article is a practical application of the liability Article 33 places on the master or agent for shortages. The article does not say here what follows from failing to submit the documents, so that cannot be assumed from this text alone. Anyone facing a claim over a shortage in a shipment is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial matters.
Practical example
A ship unloads 95 packages at Jeddah port while the manifest lists 100. The master claims that the five packages were unloaded at an earlier port outside the zone. He must submit documents proving this, and if they are not immediately available he may be given up to six months after providing a guarantee.
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 34 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
What does the ship's master do if packages fall short of the manifest?
He states the reason for the shortage and supports it with documents proving that it occurred outside the maritime customs zone.
How long is the period to submit the shortage documents?
A period not exceeding six months may be given after taking a guarantee protecting the Administration's rights.
Is the period a right of the master?
The text says "may", so it is at the Administration's discretion and not an automatic right.
More articles on Cargo Manifest, Imports and Exports
- 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 30
Article 30 requires every good arriving by sea to be recorded in the cargo manifest, signed by the master and containing specified details, and presented with other documents within thirty-six hours of entering the port.
أ - تسجل في بيان الحمولة "المنافست" كل بضاعة ترد إلى الدولة عن طريق البحر. ب - يجب أن ينظم بكل الحمولة بيان واحد يوقعه ربان السفينة، متضمنا المعلومات التالية :
- Article 31
Article 31 requires the cargo manifest of vessels that do not make regular voyages, have no shipping agent at the port, or are sailing vessels, to be endorsed by the customs of the port of loading.
إذا كان بيان الحمولة "المنافست" عائدا لسفينة لا تقوم برحلات منتظمة أو ليس لها وكيل ملاحة في الميناء، أو كانت من المراكب الشراعية، فيجب أن يكون مؤشرا عليه من الس
- Article 32
Ships' cargo may not be unloaded except in the customs district at the port and under its supervision, and unloading and transfer between ships are carried out under the Director General's conditions.
أ - لا يجوز تفريغ حمولة السفن وجميع وسائط النقل المائية الأخرى إلا في الدائرة الجمركية في الميناء. ولا يجوز تفريغ أي بضاعة أو نقلها من سفينة إلى أخرى إلا تحت إش
- Article 33
The ship's master, agent or representative is liable for shortages in packages, their contents or bulk goods until the goods are received at the warehouses, storage facilities or by their owners, subject to Article 54.
يكون ربان السفينة أو وكيلها أو من يمثله مسؤولا عن النقص في عدد القطع أو الطرود، أو في محتوياتها، أو في مقدار البضائع الفرط، إلى حين استلام البضائع في المخازن ال
- Article 35
Customs procedures for goods arriving by land are completed at the first customs district, and they may be referred to an inland customs district in the cases the Director General sees fit.
البضائع الواردة برا يجب إتمام إجراءاتها الجمركية في أول دائرة جمركية، ويجوز إحالتها لإحدى الدوائر الجمركية الداخلية في الحالات التي يراها المدير العام.
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.