Article 17 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 17 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال كل من ارتكب مخالفة أخرى لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article is the general penalty in the Law, and it applies to every violation not given a penalty in another article.
- Its scope: anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Law and its regulations, so it also covers violating the regulations.
- The penalty: a fine of not more than SAR 200,000, without imprisonment.
The phrase "another violation" means violations not mentioned in the penalty articles before it. Among those articles is Article 16, which punishes with imprisonment for not more than two months and a fine of not more than SAR 30,000, or either, preventing the competent employees from carrying out their duties or causing their prevention.
It is followed by Article 18, which provides that imposing the penalties set out in the Law does not prejudice imposing any penalty provided by other laws, and does not prejudice the injured party's right to obtain compensation. The fine set here therefore does not stop the injured party from claiming compensation.
The fine ranges up to its maximum depending on the violation, and the text sets no minimum. Anyone fined under this article may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A jewelry shop in Abha committed a violation of one of the provisions of the regulations issued to implement the Law, and this violation has no special penalty in another article. It falls under other violations, and its owner is punished with a fine of not more than SAR 200,000.
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 17 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
What is the penalty for other violations of the Precious Metals Law?
A fine of not more than SAR 200,000 for anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Law and its regulations.
Does this penalty cover violating the regulations?
Yes. The article provides for violating the provisions of the Law and its regulations.
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 15Amended (1443 AH)
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.
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
- 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 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.