Article 8 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 8 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المعادن الثمينة وفقًا لعيارها بأحد العيارات النظامية التي تقررها وزارة التجارة .
ب - تدمغ الأصناف الملبسة والمطعمة برقم يبين نسبة المعدن الثمين النقي الذي تحتويه مقرونًا ببيان نوعه.
ج - تدمغ الأصناف المطلية بكلمة " مطلي ".
وإذا لم يسمح حجم الأصناف الملبسة أو المطعمة بالدمغ على النحو المذكور؛ تصحب كل قطعة ببطاقة تحمل البيانات المذكورة مضافًا إليها اسم صاحب المحل باللغة العربية.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article details the method of hallmarking according to the type of piece, and prohibits selling it, displaying it for sale or possessing it for sale unless it is hallmarked as follows:
- Precious metal articles: hallmarked according to their karat with one of the legal karat standards the Ministry of Commerce determines.
- Coated and inlaid items: hallmarked with a number showing the proportion of pure precious metal they contain, accompanied by a statement of its type.
- Plated items: hallmarked with the word "plated".
The alternative when the size is small: if the size of coated or inlaid items does not allow hallmarking, a card bearing the details mentioned is attached to each piece, with the shop owner's name in Arabic added to it. Note that the text mentions this alternative for coated and inlaid items.
The aim is for the buyer to know what he is really buying: whether it is gold of a given karat, a piece containing a certain proportion of precious metal, or merely plating.
This article connects to Article 7, which prohibits changing bars or articles after they are hallmarked except for the necessities of the craft and in accordance with the Ministry of Commerce's instructions, and to Article 9, which permits the Ministry of Commerce to issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country. Anyone trading in these items may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A jewelry shop in Khobar sells small earrings inlaid with gold whose size does not allow hallmarking. A card must be attached to each piece showing the proportion of pure precious metal and its type, together with the shop owner's name in Arabic. As for plated bracelets, they must be hallmarked with the word "plated".
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 8 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
How are gold-plated accessories hallmarked?
They are hallmarked with the word "plated".
What if an inlaid piece is too small to be hallmarked?
A card is attached to it showing the proportion of pure precious metal and its type, with the shop owner's name in Arabic added.
Who determines the legal karat standards for gold?
The Ministry of Commerce determines them, and articles are hallmarked with one of them according to their karat.
More articles on Hallmarking Precious Metals and Karats
- Article 4
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale bars and articles of precious metals unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark.
يحظر بيع سبائك ومشغولات المعادن الثمينة أو عرضها أو حيازتها بقصد البيع ما لم تكن مدموغة بسمة المملكة.
- 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 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.