Article 22 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 22 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the regulation of importing and distributing external printed materials, and the procedures for facilitating researchers' carrying of books and subscribing to them for their scientific purposes.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية- في حدود أحكام هذا النظام- تنظيم استيراد المطبوعات الخارجية وتوزيعها.
كما تحدد الإجراءات اللازمة لتسهيل اصطحاب الكتب والمطبوعات الأخرى، والاشتراك بها من قبل الباحثين والمفكرين، لأغراضهم العلمية وفي حدود حيازتهم الشخصية.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article contains two provisions, both of which refer to the Implementing Regulations:
- Regulating the importing and distribution of external printed materials, within the limits of the provisions of this Law; the Regulations add detail and do not contradict the Law.
- Facilitating the carrying of books and other printed materials and subscribing to them by researchers and thinkers, on two conditions: that it is for their scientific purposes, and within their personal possession.
The article does not itself set detailed rules for importing or carrying; it entrusts the Implementing Regulations with setting the procedures. The apparent purpose of the second part is to make it easier for researchers and thinkers to obtain what they need for scientific work, limiting this to personal rather than commercial possession.
This article comes after Article 21, which exempts from the Ministry's control what government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary and cultural clubs and private press institutions import for their purposes. After it comes Article 23, which allows, after the approval of the Prime Minister, foreign newspapers to be printed in the Kingdom as the Implementing Regulations provide.
To learn the actual procedures for importing or carrying, refer to the Implementing Regulations; anyone who needs this can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
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 22 of the Saudi Publications Law
Can a researcher bring books with him into the Kingdom?
The Implementing Regulations set the procedures for facilitating researchers' and thinkers' carrying of books for their scientific purposes and within their personal possession.
Who regulates the importing and distribution of external printed materials?
The Implementing Regulations, within the limits of the provisions of the Law.
More articles on Foreign Printed Materials and Imports
- Article 18
The article provides that external printed materials are approved if they are free of anything that offends Islam or the system of government, harms the supreme interest of the state, or offends public decency.
تجاز المطبوعات الخارجية، إذا خلت من كل ما يسيء إلى الإسلام، أو نظام الحكم، أو يضر بالمصلحة العليا للدولة، أو يخدش الآداب العامة وينافي الأخلاق.
- Article 19
The article requires external printed materials to be approved or rejected, with reasons, within 30 days of receiving the request, and refers the treatment of newspapers to the Regulations.
تجاز المطبوعات الخارجية، أو ترفض مع بيان الأسباب خلال ثلاثين يومًا من تاريخ تسلم الطلب، أما الصحف فتعامل وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 20
The article requires every Saudi who issues a non-periodical printed material outside the Kingdom and asks for its approval to attach proof of depositing the required copies under the Deposit Law.
على كل سعودي يصدر مطبوعة غير دورية خارج المملكة، ويتقدم للوزارة بطلب إجازتها أن يرفق بطلبه ما يثبت إيداع النسخ المطلوبة، وفق نظام الإيداع.
- Article 21
The article exempts from the Ministry's control printed materials that government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary clubs and private press institutions import for their purposes.
لا تسري رقابة الوزارة على ما تستورده الجهات الحكومية والمؤسسات التعليمية والبحثية، والجمعيات العلمية، والأندية الأدبية والثقافية والمؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية من مط
- Article 23
The article allows foreign newspapers to be printed in the Kingdom after the Prime Minister's approval, as set by the Implementing Regulations and consistent with the Law.
يجوز بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن تطبع صحف أجنبية في المملكة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية، وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظام.
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.