Article 69 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 69 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الثاني: البضائع العابرة (ترانزيت
Transit of goods across the territory of the GCC states is permitted under the laws and international agreements in force, subject to Article 67 and the GCC Unified Economic Agreement.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة المادة (67) من هذا النظام "القانون" وأحكام الاتفاقية الاقتصادية الموحدة لدول المجلس، يسمح بعبور البضائع (ترانزيت) لأراضي دول المجلس وفق أحكام الأنظمة والاتفاقيات الدولية النافذة.
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 69 explained in plain English
This article states the principle of permitting the transit of goods across the territory of the GCC states, that is, passing from one state to another without being imported for consumption in it.
The framework governing transit:
- Article 67 of the law, which permits goods to be brought in and moved to any place within the State without paying duties provided a cash deposit or bank guarantee equal to the duties is given, under the Director General's instructions.
- The GCC Unified Economic Agreement; the article does not state the content of its provisions.
- The laws and international agreements in force.
Transit is therefore permitted, but is not free of all restrictions; it is subject to these sources together. Article 70 follows with the first regulatory restriction: transit operations are permitted only at customs departments licensed for them.
Transport companies whose shipments pass through the GCC states would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial matters to learn the obligations that apply to them under the agreements in force.
Practical example
A truck carries goods from a port in one Gulf state to another Gulf state, passing through the territory of the Kingdom. Its transit is permitted under the laws and agreements in force, subject to what Article 67 provides.
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 69 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Is transit of goods through Saudi Arabia permitted?
Yes. The transit of goods across the territory of the GCC states is permitted under the provisions of the laws and international agreements in force.
Are customs duties paid on transit goods?
The article is subject to Article 67, which permits goods to be moved without paying duties against a cash deposit or bank guarantee equal to them.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Suspended Customs Regimes and Transit
- Article 67
Goods may be brought in and moved to another place within the State without paying customs duties, provided a cash deposit or bank guarantee equal to those duties is given under the Director General's instructions.
يجوز إدخال البضائع ونقلها إلى أي مكان آخر داخل الدولة دون تأدية الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية، بشرط تقديم كفالة نقدية أو ضمان مصرفي يعادل ما يترتب عليها من ضرائب "ر
- 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 70
Transit operations are permitted only at customs departments licensed for them.
لا يسمح بإجراء عمليات العبور (الترانزيت) إلا في الدوائر الجمركية المرخص لها بذلك.
- Article 71
Transit is carried on the designated routes by various means of transport, at the carrier's responsibility under the Director General's instructions, and the routes and conditions of transport are set by decision of the Minister or the competent authority.
مع مراعاة أحكام الاتفاقيات الإقليمية والدولية النافذة ، يتم نقل البضائع بالعبور (ترانزيت) على الطرق المعينة، وبمختلف وسائط النقل وعلى مسؤولية الناقل وفق التعليم
- Article 72Amended by M/124
When goods are transferred from one customs department to another, interested parties may be exempted from submitting a detailed customs declaration at the entry center, and the transfer is made under the documents and conditions set by the Director General.
يجوز في حالة النقل من دائرة جمركية إلى أخرى إعفاء أصحاب العلاقة من تقديم بيان جمركي تفصيلي في مركز الدخول، وتتم الإحالة وفق المستندات والشروط التي يحددها المدير
- Article 73
The Minister or the competent authority issues the decisions needed to regulate the suspension of customs duties on all other types of transport by way of transit.
يصدر الوزير أو الجهة المختصة القرارات اللازمة لتنظيم تعليق الضرائب "الرسوم" الجمركية على جميع أنواع النقل بطريق العبور (الترانزيت) الأخرى.
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.