98 cases of commercial concealment were uncovered, resulting in penalties of 5 million riyals
As part of ongoing efforts to correct the business environment and ensure fair competition in the Saudi market, the National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment the results of its intensive field campaigns carried out during November 2025, which resulted in the detection of legal violations that warrant deterrent punishment.
Results of the inspection campaigns for the month of November
The program's monitoring teams conducted 4,242 inspection visits across various regions of Saudi Arabia. These visits were based on precise indicators and signs of suspicion derived from data analysis and artificial intelligence to detect suspicious financial transactions.
These tours resulted in the detection of (98) suspected cases of commercial concealment, where violators were immediately referred to the competent authorities to complete the regulatory procedures and verify the evidence in preparation for applying the regulatory penalties against them.
Targeted sectors of the campaign
The inspection campaign focused on vital sectors that typically experience high commercial activity, in order to verify establishments' compliance with Ministry of Commerce regulations. The targeted activities included the following:
- Retail sale of perfumes and cosmetics.
- The electronics and electrical equipment sector.
- Auto mechanics and electrical repair workshops.
- Travel and tourism agencies.
The context of the campaign and the importance of combating commercial concealment
These decisive measures are in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which prioritizes eliminating the informal economy and commercial concealment. Commercial concealment is one of the most significant challenges facing the national economy, as it causes capital flight, hinders the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, and creates unfair competition for Saudi citizens and entrepreneurs.
Through these campaigns, the national program seeks to dry up the sources of concealment, enable citizens to conduct business in a regulated and safe environment, and protect consumers from commercial fraud and poor services that are often associated with concealed establishments.
Deterrent penalties: imprisonment, fines, and public shaming
The relevant authorities confirmed that the new system for combating commercial concealment imposes strict and uncompromising penalties, including:
- Imprisonment: for up to five years.
- Financial penalty: Up to five million Saudi Riyals.
- Confiscation: Seizure and confiscation of illicit funds after final court rulings.
In addition, consequential penalties are applied, including the closure of the violating establishment, liquidation of the business, cancellation of the commercial registration, and a ban on engaging in commercial activity for a specified period. All outstanding zakat, fees, and taxes are also collected retroactively, and violators are publicly named in local newspapers at their own expense. Those who facilitated the violation (non-Saudis) are permanently deported from the Kingdom after the penalty has been served.
