Article 8 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
المادة 8 من نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية · الفصل الثالث: الواجبات والمحظورات
The article prohibits importing the handmade craft products that the Regulations specify, or making models of them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر استيراد المنتجات الحرفية اليدوية التي تحددها اللائحة أو صناعة نماذج لها.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article contains two prohibitions concerning craft products that the Regulations specify:
- The import prohibition: the handmade craft products that the Regulations specify may not be imported.
- The prohibition on making models: models of these products may not be made.
The important point in understanding the article is that the prohibition is not general to all craft products; it is limited to the products the Regulations specify. Finding out whether a particular product may not be imported, or may not have models made of it, therefore requires referring to the Implementing Regulations, because the article names no particular products.
The craft products meant are the output of the craft and handicraft as Article 2 defines it: an activity based mainly on manual work that draws its designs and elements from the cultural heritage handed down in the regions of the Kingdom, or that provides services related to craft products.
The prohibition covers both importing and making models, so it is not limited to bringing the product in from abroad. Related to this article is Article 7, which requires craftspeople and those who trade in craft products to comply with the quality standards the Ministry adopts. Anyone who works in importing and wants to check the status of a particular product can consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases.
Practical example
A trader in Jeddah is considering importing products made abroad that resemble a Saudi heritage craft product. He must first check whether this product is one of the craft products the Regulations specify. If it is, this article prohibits importing it, and it also prohibits making models of it.
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 8 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
Is the import of all handmade craft products prohibited?
No. The prohibition is limited to the handmade craft products that the Regulations specify.
May imitation models of craft products be made?
The article prohibits making models of the handmade craft products that the Regulations specify.
More articles on Craftspeople's Duties and Product Quality
- Article 5
The article refers to the Regulations the controls for craftspeople who represent the Kingdom in conferences, events and exhibitions, and prohibits such representation before those controls are met.
1- دون إخلال بالأنظمة والقرارات ذات العلاقة، تحدد اللائحة ضوابط مشاركة الحرفيين الذين يمثلون المملكة في المؤتمرات والملتقيات والفعاليات والمعارض الداخلية والخار
- Article 7
The article requires craftspeople and those who trade in handmade craft products to comply with the quality standards for craft and handicraft products that the Ministry adopts.
على الحرفي، أو من يقوم بالاتجار بالمنتجات الحرفية اليدوية، الالتزام بمعايير جودة منتجات الحرف والصناعات اليدوية التي تعتمدها الوزارة.
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.