Article 4 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 4 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale bars and articles of precious metals unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر بيع سبائك ومشغولات المعادن الثمينة أو عرضها أو حيازتها بقصد البيع ما لم تكن مدموغة بسمة المملكة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article is one of the most important consumer protection rules in the gold and precious metals market. It requires that bars and articles made of precious metals be stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark before they enter the market.
The acts prohibited when there is no hallmark are:
- Selling.
- Displaying.
- Possessing for sale.
A merchant who keeps unstamped bars or articles in the warehouse with the intention of selling them falls under the prohibition, even if he has not yet displayed them.
The hallmark means that the piece has been examined and its karat established, which reassures the buyer about what he is paying for.
This article connects to what comes before and after it: Article 3 prohibits selling items that are plated or below the minimum legal karat standards except in accordance with the Minister of Commerce's instructions, and Article 5 regulates the arrival of parcels imported for trade, which customs or the post sends, after notifying the person concerned, to the competent body at the Ministry of Commerce to examine, analyze and stamp them with the Kingdom's hallmark, or to confirm that they bear a recognized hallmark. Anyone facing a problem with the hallmarking of goods may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A merchant in Riyadh bought a quantity of gold chains from a small workshop without their being hallmarked. He may not display them in his shop, sell them, or even keep them with the intention of selling them unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark.
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 4 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
May unhallmarked gold be sold in Saudi Arabia?
No. Selling, displaying or possessing for sale bars and articles of precious metals is prohibited unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark.
Does the prohibition cover merely keeping unhallmarked gold?
It covers possession for sale, that is, keeping it with the intention of selling it.
More articles on Hallmarking Precious Metals and Karats
- 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 6
The article requires bars and articles to be presented to the Ministry of Commerce for examination and hallmarking by the legal karat standards, and provides that those below the minimum are broken and returned to the owner, who may re-export imported ones.
تقدم سبائك ومشغولات المعادن الثمينة إلى الجهة المختصة بوزارة التجارة لفحصها ودمغها طبقًا للعيارات النظامية. فإذا تبين أنها تقل عن الحد الأدنى للعيارات النظامية
- Article 7
The article prohibits making any change to precious metal bars or articles after they are hallmarked because of preparing them for sale, except what the necessities of the craft require and in accordance with the Ministry of Commerce's instructions.
لا يجوز إحداث أي تغيير في سبائك أو مشغولات المعادن الثمينة بعد دمغها من قبل وزارة التجارة بسبب عمليات إعدادها للبيع إلا ما توجبه ضرورات الصناعة وطبقًا للتعليمات
- 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
- Article 9
The article permits the Ministry of Commerce to issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country.
يجوز لوزارة التجارة إصدار قرار باعتماد دمغة إحدى الدول.
- Article 10Amended by M/87
The article permits the Ministry of Commerce, in agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, to require precious metal factories and workshops to use hallmark marks that distinguish their articles and are registered as the regulations specify.
لوزارة التجارة، بالاتفاق مع وزارة الصناعة والثروة المعدنية، إلزام أصحاب مصانع ومشاغل المعادن الثمينة باستخدام علامات دمغ، لتمييز مشغولاتهم، تسجل وفقاً لما تحدده
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.