Article 15 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 15 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to SAR 90,000, or either, anyone who manufactures precious metals, their articles or gemstones without a license.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تتجاوز تسعين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من زاول صناعة المعادن الثمينة ومشغولاتها أو الأحجار الكريمة دون ترخيص.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article establishes the penalty for carrying on manufacturing without a license:
- The punishable act: carrying on the manufacture of precious metals and their articles, or the manufacture of gemstones, without a license.
- The penalty: imprisonment for not more than six months and a fine of not more than SAR 90,000, or either of these penalties.
The text speaks of manufacturing, so no ruling on other activities can be inferred from it.
This article was amended by Royal Decree No. M/13 dated 25/1/1443 AH to its present text.
This penalty differs from the more severe penalty in Article 14, which is imprisonment for not more than two years and a fine of not more than SAR 400,000, or either, set for fraud in the type, weight or karat of precious metals or gemstones, altering articles after they are hallmarked, and selling unhallmarked bars or articles. It is followed by Article 16, which punishes with imprisonment for not more than two months and a fine of not more than SAR 30,000, or either, anyone who prevents, or causes the prevention of, the competent employees overseeing the Law and its regulations from carrying out their duties.
Anyone who carries on an industrial activity in this field and wants to confirm their position is sound may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases, while anyone who has been accused needs a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person opened a small workshop in his home in Riyadh to make gold rings and sell them to shops without obtaining a license. That is carrying on the manufacture of precious metals without a license, and its penalty is imprisonment for not more than six months and a fine of not more than SAR 90,000, or either.
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 15 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
What is the penalty for manufacturing gold without a license?
Imprisonment for not more than six months and a fine of not more than SAR 90,000, or either of these penalties.
Does the penalty cover manufacturing gemstones?
Yes. It covers anyone who carries on the manufacture of precious metals and their articles or gemstones without a license.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/13 — 25/1/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/13) وتاريخ 1443/1/25هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: " يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تتجاوز تسعين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من زاول صناعة المعادن الثمينة ومشغولاتها أو الأحجار الكريمة دون ترخيص".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تتجاوز تسعين ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من زاول تجارة أو صناعة المعادن الثمينة ومشغولاتها أو الأحجار الكريمة بدون ترخيص.
More articles on Penalties for Gold and Jewelry Fraud
- Article 14
The article punishes with up to two years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 400,000, or either, fraud in precious metals and gemstones, altering hallmarked items and selling unhallmarked ones, with suspension of the license and closure on repeat offenses.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنتين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز أربعمائة ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين: أ - كل من غش أو خدع في نوع أو وزن أو عيار المعادن الثمينة أو ال
- Article 16
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to two months and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either, anyone who prevents, or causes the prevention of, the competent employees overseeing the Law from carrying out their duties.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز شهرين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من منع أو تسبب في منع الموظفين المختصين بمراقبة تنفيذ هذا النظام
- Article 17
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 200,000 anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law and its regulations.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال كل من ارتكب مخالفة أخرى لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه.
- Article 18
The article provides that the penalties in the Precious Metals Law do not prevent penalties under other laws and do not affect the injured party's right to obtain compensation.
لا يخل توقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بتوقيع أي عقوبة تقضي بها أنظمة أخرى كما لا يخل بحق المتضرر في الحصول على التعويض.
- Article 19Amended by M/87
The article permits the judgment or decision imposing a penalty to order publication of its operative part at the violator's expense in a local newspaper or other suitable means, once it becomes final or unchallengeable.
يجوز تضمين الحكم أو القرار الصادر بالعقوبة -بحسب الأحوال- النص على نشر منطوقه على نفقة المخالف في صحيفة محلية تصدر في مقر إقامته، فإن لم يكن في مقر إقامته صحيفة
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.