Article 11 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 11 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article requires an import license issued before the arrival of narcotic and psychotropic substances for customs clearance, excepts patients' medicines for personal use, and regulates their storage at customs and license instructions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يشترط لإصدار رخصة فسح المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية التي تصل إلى الجمارك توافر رخصة استيراد صادرة من الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء قبل تاريخ وصول المواد إلى المملكة، وتستثنى من ذلك الأدوية المحتوية على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية التي بحوزة المرضى القادمين إلى المملكة أو المغادرين منها للاستعمال الشخصي وفقا للإجراءات والضوابط التي يعتمدها الرئيس التنفيذي للهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء بالتنسيق مع وزير الصحة.
2- تحفظ المواد المخدرة والمؤثرات العقلية لدى الجمارك وفقا للشروط الواردة في المادة (التاسعة عشرة) من هذه اللائحة.
3- يجب أن تشتمل رخصة الفسح على تعليمات الرخصة التي تحددها الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article concerns the stage at which narcotic or psychotropic substances arrive at customs, and what is required to release (clear) them.
- Condition for clearance: a clearance license is issued only if there is an import license issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority before the date the substances arrive in the Kingdom. That is, importing without a prior license cannot be remedied after arrival.
- Exception: medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances carried by patients arriving in or leaving the Kingdom for personal use, under procedures and controls approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority in coordination with the Minister of Health. The article does not state these controls.
- Storage at customs: the substances are kept under the conditions of Article 19 of the Regulations, namely storage according to the manufacturer's specifications in a safe or warehouse dedicated to these substances only, tightly sealed so that it cannot be removed, broken or moved, and equipped with a security alarm system.
- License content: the clearance license includes instructions determined by the Authority.
A person who travels with a medicine of this kind for personal treatment is subject to the controls approved by the Authority, and anyone who has a problem clearing a shipment or a medicine can consult a lawyer specialized in commercial or criminal cases, as the situation requires.
Practical example
A shipment of medicines containing a psychotropic substance arrives for a company in Dammam before it has obtained an import license. No clearance license is issued for it, because the article requires the import license to be issued before the date of arrival.
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 11 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
Can narcotic medicines that arrived before the import license was issued be cleared?
No, issuing a clearance license requires an import license from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued before the date the substances arrive.
Does a traveler with personal narcotic medication need an import license?
The article excepts patients' medicines for personal use on arrival or departure, and they are subject to procedures and controls approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority in coordination with the Minister of Health.
How are narcotic substances kept at customs?
Under the conditions of Article 19 of the Regulations, such as a dedicated, tightly sealed safe or warehouse equipped with a security alarm.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Importing and Exporting Narcotic Substances
- Article 9
The article sets conditions for importing and exporting narcotic and psychotropic substances for legitimate purposes: licensing, the approved annual need, the duration, renewal and data of licenses, and the means of transport.
1- يجب أن تكون المنشأة الخاصة - الراغبة في استيراد المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو تصديرها لأغراض مشروعة - مرخصة من وزارة الصحة أو الهيئة العامة للغذاء وا
- Article 10
The article sets three controls for reviewing the quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances requested for import or export, tied to the approved need and the importing country's license.
تراجع الكمية المطلوب استيرادها أو تصديرها وفق الضوابط الآتية: 1 - ألا تتجاوز الكمية المراد استيرادها الكمية الواردة في احتياج المنشأة الذي اعتمدته الهيئة العامة
- Article 12
The article regulates importing the seeds of plants listed in Table 4 of the Law: the request and the committee that studies it, the term and data of the license, clearance, packaging and custody, proof of consumption, and conditions for licensing cultivation.
1- على الجهة الراغبة في استيراد بذور النباتات المدرجة في الجدول رقم (4) المرافق لنظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية التقدم بطلب يتضمن نوع البذور وكميتها وال
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.