Article 80 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
المادة 80 من نظام قانون الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية · الفصل الرابع: المناطق والأسواق الحرة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر دخول البضائع التالية إلى المناطق والأسواق الحرة :
1 - البضائع القابلة للاشتعال، عدا المحروقات اللازمة للتشغيل التي تسمح بها الجهة المشرفة على المناطق والأسواق الحرة ضمن الشروط التي تحددها الجهات المختصة.
2 - المواد المشعة.
3 - الأسلحة الحربية والذخائر والمتفجرات أيا كان نوعها إلا بترخيص من الجهات المختصة .
4 - البضائع المخالفة للأنظمة المتعلقة بحماية الملكية التجارية والصناعية والأدبية والفنية الصادر بها قرارات من الجهات المختصة .
5 - المخدرات على اختلاف أنواعها ومشتقاتها .
6 - البضائع التي منشؤها بلد تقرر مقاطعتها اقتصاديا.
7 - البضائع الممنوع دخولها البلاد، وتحدد كل دولة قائمة بهذه البضائع.
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 80 explained in plain English
This article sets out the list of goods prohibited from entering free zones and markets, even though the basic rule is freedom to bring in foreign goods:
- Flammable goods, other than fuel needed for operation that the body supervising the free zones and markets permits within the conditions set by the competent bodies.
- Radioactive materials.
- Military weapons, ammunition and explosives of any kind, except by license from the competent bodies.
- Goods violating the regulations on protecting commercial, industrial, literary and artistic property, as decided by the competent bodies.
- Narcotics of all kinds and derivatives.
- Goods originating in a country decided to be economically boycotted.
- Goods prohibited from entering the country, with each State setting a list of such goods.
A free zone is therefore not a place outside all restrictions; it remains governed by prohibitions relating to security, safety, intellectual property and economic policy. Note that items 1 and 3 contain a conditional exception, while the prohibition in the other items is absolute on the text.
Article 81 complements this provision by giving the customs department the right to inspect these zones for goods prohibited from entering, and to audit documents and examine goods where smuggling is suspected. Article 79 also requires the Director General's approval to move imported goods into them. Anyone found with goods of these kinds should consult a lawyer specializing in customs and commercial cases or in criminal cases.
Practical example
A company in a free zone wanted to receive a shipment of bags bearing a counterfeit trademark. These goods are prohibited from entering the free zone because they violate the regulations protecting commercial property, even if they are meant for re-export.
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 80 of the Saudi GCC Unified Customs Law
Can any goods be brought into a free zone?
No. Seven kinds of goods are prohibited, including radioactive materials, narcotics, counterfeit goods and goods prohibited from entering the country.
May weapons be brought into a free zone?
Military weapons, ammunition and explosives are prohibited from entering except by license from the competent bodies.
May fuel be brought into a free zone?
Flammable goods are prohibited, other than fuel needed for operation that the supervising body permits within the set conditions.
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 79
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.
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 يق
- 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.