Article 9 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 9 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article permits the Ministry of Commerce to issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لوزارة التجارة إصدار قرار باعتماد دمغة إحدى الدول.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article is short but important for the trade in imported gold and precious metals. It gives the Ministry of Commerce the power to issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country.
The following is understood from this:
- Recognition is permissive; the Ministry decides it at its discretion, and it is not an automatic right of every foreign hallmark.
- Recognition is by decision of the Ministry; a foreign hallmark is recognized only if a decision has been issued for it.
- The text does not specify the conditions of recognition or its detailed effects, so nothing can be inferred from it about them.
This article comes after Article 8, which prohibits selling articles and coated, inlaid and plated items, displaying them or possessing them for sale unless they are hallmarked in the way set for each type, such as hallmarking articles with one of the legal karat standards the Ministry of Commerce determines, and plated ones with the word "plated".
On the same subject it is followed by Article 10, which permits the Ministry of Commerce, in agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, to require the owners of precious metal factories and workshops to use hallmark marks to distinguish their articles, to be registered as the regulations specify. Anyone importing articles hallmarked abroad would be well advised to check that a decision recognizing that country's hallmark has been issued, and may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
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 9 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
Is a foreign gold hallmark accepted in Saudi Arabia?
The Ministry of Commerce may issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country, so what matters is whether such a decision has been issued.
Who may recognize another country's hallmark?
The Ministry of Commerce, by a decision it issues.
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 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 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.