Article 4 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
المادة 4 من نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية · الفصل الثاني: القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين، والترخيص الحرفي
The article allows a craftsperson to apply for entry in the National Register of Craftspeople as the Regulations specify, and prohibits practicing a craft commercially or trading in craft products as a main activity without a Commission license.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- للحرفي طلب القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين.
2- يقدم الحرفي طلب القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين وفق الشروط والآليات التي تحددها اللائحة.
3- لا تجوز ممارسة حرفة أو صناعة يدوية لأغراض تجارية أو الاتجار بصفة رئيسة بالمنتجات الحرفية اليدوية؛ إلا بعد الحصول على الترخيص الحرفي من الهيئة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets two basic rules for regulating craft activity:
First: entry in the National Register of Craftspeople (paragraphs 1 and 2)
- A craftsperson may apply for entry in the Register; the wording "a craftsperson may" indicates that applying is a right.
- The application is submitted under the conditions and procedures the Regulations set; the article does not state these conditions itself.
Under Article 1, the Register is a database in which the data of craftspeople, their classifications, crafts and activities are recorded.
Second: the craft license (paragraph 3)
Neither of the following two activities may be carried out without first obtaining the craft license from the Commission (the Heritage Commission, according to Article 1):
- Practicing a craft or handicraft for commercial purposes.
- Trading as a main activity in handmade craft products.
The license in this paragraph is therefore tied to these two activities as the text defines them: practice for commercial purposes, or trading as a main activity.
The craft meant here is what Article 2 defines: an activity based mainly on manual work, in both its artistic or heritage production category and its service category.
Article 5 is related to this article; it refers to the Regulations the controls on the participation of craftspeople who represent the Kingdom in conferences and exhibitions, and it allows such representation only once those controls are met. Anyone who wishes to start a commercial craft activity can consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases.
Practical example
Sarah in Abha makes products from Asiri engraving by hand and wants to sell them regularly in an online store. Under this article, she may not practice her craft for commercial purposes until she obtains the craft license from the Heritage Commission, and she may also apply to be entered in the National Register of Craftspeople as the Regulations specify.
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 4 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
Do I need a license to sell my craft products?
Yes. If you practice the craft for commercial purposes or trade as a main activity in handmade craft products, you must obtain the craft license from the Commission.
Who issues the craft license?
The Commission issues it, which under the Law's definitions is the Heritage Commission.
What are the conditions for entry in the National Register of Craftspeople?
The Regulations set them; the article itself does not state them.
More articles on National Register of Craftspeople and the Craft License
- Article 6
The article requires entry in the National Register of Craftspeople to obtain a craft license, makes its issuance and renewal a Commission decision, and refers the other conditions, term and types to the Regulations.
1- يشترط للحصول على الترخيص الحرفي أن يكون طالبه مقيدًا في السجل الوطني للحرفيين. وتحدد اللائحة الشروط الأخرى اللازمة للحصول عليه. 2- يصدر الترخيص الحرفي ويجدد
- Article 16
The article refers to the Regulations the procedures for re-entry in the National Register of Craftspeople after removal, and for obtaining the craft license again after cancellation.
تحدد اللائحة إجراءات إعادة القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين بعد شطبه، وإجراءات إعادة الحصول على الترخيص الحرفي بعد إلغائه.
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.