Article 3 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 3 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale items plated with precious metals, or below the minimum legal karat standards, except in accordance with instructions issued by decision of the Minister of Commerce.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر البيع أو العرض أو الحيازة بقصد البيع للأصناف المطلية بالمعادن الثمينة، أو التي تقل عن الحد الأدنى للعيارات النظامية إلا وفقًا للتعليمات التي يصدر بها قرار من وزير التجارة.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article deals with two categories of items that may mislead a buyer into thinking they are pure precious metal or of an acceptable karat:
- Items plated with precious metals, such as a piece of base metal plated with a layer of gold.
- Items below the minimum legal karat standards.
Three acts are prohibited for them: selling, displaying, and possessing for sale. The sale need not actually take place; displaying them or keeping them with the intention of selling them is enough.
The prohibition is not absolute, however, since it excepts what is in accordance with the instructions issued by decision of the Minister of Commerce. The article does not state the content of these instructions; their source is the Minister's decision.
This article comes within the provisions on sale and hallmarking. Article 4 prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale bars and articles of precious metals unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark, while Article 2 concerns the license from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to carry on the manufacture of these metals. Anyone trading in plated accessories or jewelry would be well advised to check the Minister of Commerce's instructions, and may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
An accessories shop in Dammam displays metal bracelets plated with gold. It may not display, sell or possess them for sale except in accordance with the instructions issued by decision of the Minister of Commerce.
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 3 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
May gold-plated accessories be sold?
Selling, displaying or possessing them for sale is prohibited except in accordance with instructions issued by decision of the Minister of Commerce.
May gold below the minimum legal karat be sold?
It falls under the same prohibition, so it is permitted only in accordance with the Minister of Commerce's instructions.
More articles on Plated and Imported Items
- Article 5
The article requires customs or the post, after notifying the person concerned, to send parcels imported for trade that contain precious metals to the Ministry of Commerce for examination and hallmarking, or to confirm they bear a recognized hallmark.
تقوم الجهات المختصة بالجمارك أو البريد - بعد إخطار صاحب الشأن - بإرسال الطرود المحتوية على سبائك أو مشغولات المعادن الثمينة، وغيرها من الأصناف الخاضعة لأحكام هذ
- Article 8
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale articles and coated, inlaid or plated items unless hallmarked in the way set for each type, or accompanied by a details card where hallmarking is impossible.
يحظر بيع مشغولات المعادن الثمينة والأصناف الملبسة أو المطعمة أو المطلية أو عرضها للبيع أو حيازتها بقصد البيع ما لم تكن مدموغة على النحو التالي: أ - تدمغ مشغولات
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.