RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SAU/60 
26 July 2005 
 (05-3356) 
Working Party on the Accession  
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Original:   English 
 
 
   
ACCESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
 
Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures
 
  
 The following submission is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
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 WT/ACC/SAU/60 
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 I. OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintains a non-automatic licensing system that is administered in 
accordance with the provisions of the new Law on Import Licensing Procedures, issued by Council of 
Ministers Decision No. 88, dated 6.4.1423H (June 2002). 
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
 1.  Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
 Answer:  A list of items subject to non-automatic li censing is attached to the Working Party 
Report as Annex E. 
 2.  The system applies to goods orig inating in and coming from which countries? 
 Answer:  The system applies to goods origin ating in and coming from all countries. 
 3.  Is the licensing intended to restrict th e quantity or value of imports, and if not, what 
are its purposes?  Have alternative me thods of accomplishing the purposes been 
considered and if so which?  Why have they not been adopted? 
 Answer: No, the licensing is not intended to restrict  the quantity or value of imports.  The 
purpose of licensing is to ensure that goods that do not meet the requirements of different laws, regulations or decisions ar e not imported.  Alternative methods have 
not been considered.  
 4.  Cite the law, regulation and/or admi nistrative order under which the licensing is 
maintained.  Is the licensing statutorily required?  Does the legislation leave 
designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion?  Is 
it possible for the government (or the ex ecutive branch) to abolish the system 
without legislative approval? 
 Answer: Licensing is maintained under Council of Ministers Decision No. 84 (July 2000) 
and Decision No. 88 of the Council of Mini sters, dated 6.4.1423H (June 2002).  
The list of items subject to licensing requirements may be amended by the Minister 
of Commerce and Industry on the basis of  comments received from respective 
government agencies.  The system can only be abolished by a decision of the Council of Ministers.  
III. PROCEDURES 
 1.  For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether 
applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally): 
 Answer: There are no restrictions on the quantity or va lue of imports (Questions (a) to (k) of 
point 1 are thus not applicable).   WT/ACC/SAU/60 
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  2.  Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from 
a particular country: 
  (a) How far in advance of importation mu st application for a license be made?  
 Can licenses be obtained within a shorte r time-limit or for goods arriving at 
 the port without a license (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 Answer: Applications for non-automatic licenses ma y be submitted within 21 days prior to 
the closing date of applications.  
  (b) Can a license be granted immediately on request? 
 Answer: The maximum period for deciding on license applications is 30 days.  However, in 
practice, licenses normally are granted in a shorter period.  
  (c) Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application 
 for license and/or importation may be made?  If so, explain. 
 Answer: There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications or 
importation may be made.  
   (d) Is consideration of license applications effected by a single administrative 
 organ?  Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or 
 approval?  If so, which?  Does the impo rter have to approach more than one 
 administrative organ? 
 Answer: Yes, by a single administrative body.  In some cases, the body may coordinate with 
other bodies, but the applicant does not have to approach more than one administrative body.  
 3.  Under what circumstances may an app lication for a license be refused other than 
failure to meet the ordinary criteria?  Ar e the reasons for any refusal given to the 
applicant?  Have applicants a right of a ppeal in the event of refusal to issue a 
license and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures? 
 Answer: Applications are not refused other than for reasons of failure to meet the ordinary 
criteria.  Reasons for refusal of a license are given upon request of the applicant.  
Applicants have a right of appeal in the event of refusal of a license.  The initial 
appeal can be made to the Head of the administrative body within 15 days of the 
decision.  An appeal against the decision of the Head of the administrative body lies 
to the Board of Grievances within 30 days of the decision.  
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTERS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
 1.  Are all persons, firms and ins titutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
   (a) under restrictive licensing systems? 
   (b) under non-restrictive systems? 
   If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms pe rmitted to engage in 
importation?  What persons or firms are eligible?  Is there a registration fee?  Is there a published list of authorized importers? WT/ACC/SAU/60 
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  Answer: Eligibility of parties under restrictive and under non-restrictive licensing systems is 
the same.  The eligible categories are as follows:  
   (i) Saudi, foreign or joint venture companies registered under applicable Saudi 
 laws. 
   (ii) Natural persons listed in the Commercial Register. 
   (iii) Foreign enterprises registered to engage solely in importation of goods into 
 Saudi Arabia.   
   (iv) Saudi nationals and non-Saudis hol ding residence permits but not registered 
 in the Commercial Register provided the imported goods are for their  personal use. 
   Imports by parties in (i) and (ii) above shall be limited to goods related to the scope 
of their business as inscribed in the Commercial Register. 
V. DOCUMENTATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION FOR 
LICENCE 
 1.  What information is required in app lications?  Submit a sample form.  What 
documents is the importer required to supply with the application? 
 Answer: The applicant has to provide description of the item/s, their value and weight, and 
copies of the invoice and the bill of lading.  Saudi Arabia has submitted to the Secretariat Council of Ministers Decision No. 84 (July 2000) and its attachments, which include the necessary form, and ot her details for application for licence.  
 2.  What documents are required upon actual importation? 
 Answer: Documents required are: the import license, original invoice and certificate of 
origin.  The last two are requirements for customs clearance and not requirements of the licensing system.  
 3.  Is there any licensing fee or administrati ve charge?  If so, what is the amount of the 
fee or charge? 
 Answer: There are no licensing fees or administrative charges.  
 4.  Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of 
licenses?  If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement. 
 Answer: There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issue of 
a licence.   WT/ACC/SAU/60 
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 VI. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
 1.  What is the period of validity of a license?  Can the validity of a license be 
extended?  How?   
 Answer: The period of validity of a license is one y ear from the date of issue.  Extension 
may be granted if it is in the public interest.  
 2.  Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a license or a portion of a license?  Answer: There is no penalty for non-utilization of a license or portion of a license.  
 3.  Are licenses transferable between importers?  If so, are any limitations or 
conditions attached to such transfer? 
 Answer: Licenses are not transferable between importers.  
 4.  Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a license:    (a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? 
   (b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction? 
 Answer: No other conditions are attached. 
VII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
 1.  Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and 
similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
 Answer: There are no other administrative procedures.  
 2.  Is foreign exchange automatically pr ovided by the banking authorities for goods to 
be imported?  Is a license required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?  Is 
foreign exchange always available to c over licenses issued?  What formalities must 
be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange? 
 Answer: There are no foreign exchange restrictions or controls in Saudi Arabia.  
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