Article 65 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 65 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الخامس: تأدية الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية والرسوم الأخرى والإفراج عن البضائع
When a state of emergency is declared, measures may be taken to withdraw goods against special guarantees and conditions set by a decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عند إعلان حالة الطوارئ يجوز اتخاذ تدابير لسحب البضائع لقاء ضمانات وشروط خاصة تحدد بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة.
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 65 explained in plain English
This article addresses the exceptional circumstance of a state of emergency, and allows flexibility in withdrawing goods from Customs.
Elements of the provision:
- The occasion: Declaration of a state of emergency. The provision does not apply in ordinary circumstances.
- The step: Measures to withdraw goods may be taken.
- In return: Special guarantees and conditions.
- Who sets them: A decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
The article does not specify the type of guarantees or conditions, the goods covered, or who declares the state of emergency; all of that depends on the decision issued when needed. The provision is also discretionary, so it does not give the importer an automatic right to withdraw his goods merely because an emergency is declared.
The practical meaning is that emergency circumstances may call for making it easier to withdraw goods from Customs to ensure their availability, while the Treasury's rights remain protected by the guarantees. Article 66 permits, in general, goods to be cleared before duties are paid against guarantees under the Director General's rules. Anyone who needs to apply this article to his goods would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial matters.
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 65 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Can goods be withdrawn from Customs in a state of emergency?
When a state of emergency is declared, measures may be taken to withdraw them against special guarantees and conditions.
Who sets the conditions for withdrawing goods in an emergency?
They are set by a decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
More articles on Paying Duties and Releasing Goods
- Article 62
A dispute over the value of goods between the employee and the owner is referred to the Director, then the Director General or the value committee, and the Director may release non-prohibited goods against a financial guarantee equal to the duties.
أ - إذا نشأ خلاف بين الموظف الجمركي المختص ومالك البضاعة حول قيمة البضاعة لاختلاف نوعها أو منشئها أو لسبب آخر ، يحال الأمر إلى المدير، فإذا أقر رأي الموظف الجمر
- Article 63
Goods remain pledged for customs duties and are not released until their procedures are completed and the duties and any other charge are paid, and they are delivered to their owners or their officially authorized representatives.
أ - تكون البضائع رهن الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية ، ولا يمكن الإفراج عنها إلا بعد إتمام الإجراءات الجمركية عليها وتأدية الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية وأي رسم آخر عنها
- Article 64
Employees who collect customs duties must issue an official receipt in the importer's name in the form set by the Minister or the competent authority.
على الموظفين المكلفين باستيفاء الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية أن يحرروا إيصالا رسميا باسم المستورد وفق النموذج الذي يحدده الوزير أو الجهة المختصة.
- Article 66
Goods may be cleared before their customs duties are paid, once their procedures are completed, under the Director General's conditions and against bank, cash or documentary guarantees.
يجوز ضمن الشروط والقواعد التي يحددها المدير العام السماح بفسح البضائع قبل تأدية الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية عنها، وبعد إتمام الإجراءات الجمركية عليها بموجب ضمانات
- Article 68
Cash deposits, bank guarantees and undertakings given to Customs are released on the basis of discharge certificates, under the conditions set by the Director General.
يفرج عن الكفالات النقدية والضمانات المصرفية والتعهدات استنادا إلى شهادات الإبراء وفق الشروط التي يحددها المدير العام.
- Article 111
Endorsing the delivery order to the customs clearance agent or the owners' representatives is an authorization to complete the procedures, and the Administration bears no responsibility for delivering goods to the person to whom the order was endorsed.
يعد تظهير إذن التسليم لاسم المخلص الجمركي أو ممثلي مالكي البضاعة تفويضا لإتمام الإجراءات الجمركية عليها، دون تحمل الإدارة أي مسؤولية من جراء تسليم البضاعة إلى م
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.