Article 79 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 79 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الرابع: المناطق والأسواق الحرة
Goods listed in the manifest as imports may not be moved or brought into free zones and markets except with the Director General's approval and within the conditions and controls he sets.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
البضائع المدرجة في بيان الحمولة "المنافست" برسم الوارد لا يجوز نقلها أو إدخالها إلى المناطق والأسواق الحرة إلا بموافقة المدير العام وضمن الشروط والضوابط التي يقررها.
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 79 explained in plain English
This article places a restriction on diverting imported goods to free zones and markets.
Goods concerned: goods listed in the cargo manifest as imports, that is, those registered in the manifest as goods arriving in the State.
The rule: they may not be moved or brought into free zones and markets except:
- with the Director General's approval, and
- within the conditions and controls that he sets.
Apparent rationale: goods registered as imports are presumed to be entering the State and subject to its procedures and duties, and diverting them to a free zone changes their customs treatment. The article therefore requires prior approval so that the diversion is not used to avoid duties or control.
This relates to Article 80, which prohibits certain goods from entering free zones and markets absolutely or except by license, including flammable goods other than fuel needed for operation, radioactive materials, military weapons, ammunition and explosives except by license, narcotics, goods violating property-protection regulations, goods originating in a boycotted country, and goods prohibited from entering the country. Anyone who needs to divert a shipment should consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial cases.
Practical example
A shipment arrived at Dammam port registered in the manifest as an import, and its owner decided to move it to a free zone instead of clearing it. This is only permitted with the Director General's approval and within the conditions and controls he sets.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 79 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Can imported goods be diverted to a free zone?
Not except with the Director General's approval and within the conditions and controls he sets.
What is meant by goods listed as imports?
Goods listed in the cargo manifest as arriving in the State.
More articles on Free Zones and Free Markets
- Article 3
The article provides that the customs law applies to lands under the state's sovereignty and its territorial waters, and allows free zones to be established to which the customs provisions do not apply in whole or in part.
تسري أحكام هذا النظام "القانون" على الأراضي الخاضعة لسيادة الدولة ومياهها الإقليمية، ويجوز أن تنشأ في هذه الأراضي مناطق حرة لا تسري عليها الأحكام الجمركية كليا
- Article 15
Article 15 subjects goods leaving free zones and free markets for local markets to the customs tariff in force on the date of their exit.
تخضع البضائع الخارجة من المناطق والأسواق الحرة إلى الأسواق المحلية للتعرفة الجمركية النافذة في تاريخ خروجها.
- Article 77
Free zones and markets are established by each State's legal instrument, and their customs rules, conditions and procedures are set by decision of the Minister or the competent body.
تنشأ المناطق والأسواق الحرة بالأداة القانونية لكل دولة، وتحدد القواعد والشروط والإجراءات الجمركية الخاصة بها بقرار من الوزير أو الجهة المختصة.
- Article 78
All foreign goods may be brought into free zones and markets and taken out of them abroad without duties, subject to Articles 79 and 80, and there is no limit on how long they stay.
أ - مع مراعاة أحكام المادتين (79 و 80) من هذا النظام "القانون" يمكن إدخال جميع البضائع الأجنبية من أي نوع كانت، وأيا كان منشؤها إلى المناطق والأسواق الحرة وإخرا
- Article 80
The article prohibits seven kinds of goods from entering free zones and markets, including flammable and radioactive goods, weapons, narcotics, counterfeit goods and goods prohibited from entering the country.
يحظر دخول البضائع التالية إلى المناطق والأسواق الحرة : 1 - البضائع القابلة للاشتعال، عدا المحروقات اللازمة للتشغيل التي تسمح بها الجهة المشرفة على المناطق والأس
- Article 81
The customs department may inspect free zones and markets for goods prohibited from entering, and audit documents and examine goods when smuggling is suspected.
للدائرة الجمركية القيام بأعمال التفتيش في المناطق والأسواق الحرة عن البضائع الممنوع دخولها إليها ،كما يجوز لها تدقيق المستندات والكشف على البضائع لدى الاشتباه ب
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.