Article 13 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 13 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article sets the controls for transporting narcotic and psychotropic substances inside the Kingdom and delivering them, from sealed containers, delivery statements and guarding to conditions for transporting medicines and samples sent for analysis.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ضوابط وشروط نقل المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية داخل المملكة وتسليمها:
1 - أن يكون النقل داخل حاويات محكمة الغلق ومختومة بختم ذي رقم تسلسلي مسجل في بيان، أصله مع الحاوية ونسخة منه لدى الجهة الموردة ونسخة لدى الجهة المستفيدة .
2 - أن يكون تسليم المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية من المستودع إلى الحاوية أو العكس بموجب بيان يوقعه مسؤول العهدة في المستودع والمسؤول المرافق للحاوية .
3 - أن يشتمل بيان التسليم على اسم المادة والحجم والعبـوة والكمية رقـما وكتـابة، واسـم وعنوان الجهـة المسلمة والمتسلمة وتاريخ التسلّم والختم .
4 - أن تكون الحاوية - خلال فترة النقل والتسلّم والتسليم - تحت حراسة أمنية مرخصة ومعتمدة من وزارة الداخلية .
5 - إذا نقلت المواد المخدرة والمؤثرات العقلية بوساطة شركة نقل خاصة ، فيجب أن تكون هذه الشركة مرخصة من وزارة الداخلية .
6- عند نقل الأدوية المحتوية على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية ، تضاف الشروط الآتية:
أ - أن يكون التخزين أثناء النقل وفقا لمواصفات التخزين التي أقرتها الشركة الصانعة .
ب- أن يكون المسؤول المرافق للحاوية صيدليا أو فني صيدلي.
ج - أن يشتمل بيان التسليم على الشكل الصيدلاني والتركيز ورقـم التشغيلة والصلاحية .
7 - عند نقل العينات المرسلة إلى المختبرات للتحليل يجب أن تكون داخل طرد محكم الإغلاق وبداخله خطاب يوضح فيه اسم المادة والكمية بالعدد أو الوزن، على أن يرافق الطرد خطاب موجه إلى المختبر بطلب التحليل مع ذكر رقم الحرز السري .
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 13 explained in plain English
This article sets detailed conditions for any transport of narcotic or psychotropic substances inside the Kingdom:
- Container: tightly sealed and stamped with a seal bearing a serial number recorded in a statement, the original of which goes with the container, with a copy held by the supplier and a copy by the beneficiary.
- Handover: from the warehouse to the container or the reverse, by a statement signed by the person responsible for custody at the warehouse and the official accompanying the container.
- Delivery statement: the name, volume, packaging and quantity of the substance in figures and words, the name and address of the delivering and receiving bodies, the date and the seal.
- Guarding: security guarding licensed and approved by the Ministry of Interior throughout transport, receipt and delivery.
- Private transport companies: they must be licensed by the Ministry of Interior.
Additional conditions for medicines: storage during transport according to the manufacturer's specifications, the accompanying official being a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, and the statement including the pharmaceutical form, concentration, batch number and expiry.
Samples sent for analysis: in a tightly sealed parcel containing a letter stating the name of the substance and its quantity by number or weight, accompanied by a letter to the laboratory requesting analysis stating the secret exhibit number.
These conditions concern pharmaceutical companies, warehouses, hospitals and transport companies, and anyone who needs to review their obligations under them can consult a lawyer specialized in commercial cases.
Practical example
A pharmaceutical warehouse in Riyadh sends a shipment of morphine to a hospital in Qassim. It must be transported in a container sealed with a serial number, accompanied by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, under guarding approved by the Ministry of Interior, with a statement showing the batch number and expiry.
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 13 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
May a private transport company carry narcotic substances?
Yes, provided it is licensed by the Ministry of Interior.
Who accompanies a container of narcotic medicines during transport?
The accompanying official must be a pharmacist or pharmacy technician when transporting medicines containing these substances.
How are drug samples sent to the laboratory?
In a tightly sealed parcel containing a letter with the name and quantity of the substance, accompanied by a letter to the laboratory requesting analysis and the secret exhibit number.
More articles on Transporting Narcotics and Transit Through the Kingdom
- Article 8
The article identifies the two bodies authorized to allow narcotics to enter, pass through or leave the Kingdom, and details controlled delivery rules in three cases and the Minister of Interior's approval.
1- السلطات المختصة بالسماح بإدخال أو مرور المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية أو مواد حلت محلها عبر إقليم المملكة أو الخروج منه هي: المديرية العامة لمكافحة المخد
- Article 14
The article requires a permit from the Minister of Interior or his delegate for narcotic and psychotropic substances to pass through the Kingdom, and sets the transit conditions and customs' verification of their exit.
1- لا تسمح الجمارك بمرور مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية عبر إقليم المملكة إلا بتصريح من وزير الداخلية أو من يفوضه . 2 - يشترط لمرور مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية عبر إ
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.

