New regulations for Gulf vehicles in Saudi Arabia: a maximum of 90 days
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in Saudi Arabia announced the adoption of new regulations governing the continued presence of vehicles registered in any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries within the Kingdom. This step comes as part of the Kingdom's efforts to enhance procedural integration among various government agencies, specifically between the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Interior, with the aim of regulating vehicle movement and ensuring compliance with applicable traffic and customs regulations.
The general context of the decision and its importance
These new regulations are based on the fraternal relations and economic agreements that bind the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which grant their citizens freedom of movement, residence, and work. The movement of private vehicles between GCC countries is an integral part of this integration, with Saudi border crossings witnessing heavy traffic to and from neighboring countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, whether for tourism, work, or family visits. However, the need arose for a more precise regulatory framework to prevent any exploitation of these facilitations, such as vehicles remaining for excessively long periods without proper documentation, which could lead to regulatory or security violations.
Details of the new regulations: 90 days a year
The authority clarified that the basic rule prohibits a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) vehicle from remaining in the Kingdom for a period or periods exceeding a total of 90 days within any 365-day period. This period begins from the date of the vehicle's first entry through any Saudi customs port. This regulation applies to all vehicles owned by a citizen or resident of a GCC country, or by any person authorized to drive them. The regulations emphasize that legal responsibility is not limited to the owner but extends to the authorized driver, thus ensuring compliance by all concerned parties.
Extension mechanism and exceptions
Despite the 90-day limit, the regulations include a mechanism for requesting an extension in cases of necessity. The vehicle owner or their authorized driver can submit an extension request to the Ministry of Interior (represented by the General Directorate of Traffic) before the 90-day period expires. The Ministry has the authority to approve or reject the request based on its assessment and considerations. The regulations also exempt vehicles rented from a licensed establishment in one of the GCC countries, provided there is official authorization for such rentals. This exemption takes into account the nature of the car rental sector and the need for travelers' services.
Registration procedures and resulting penalties
To ensure the effective implementation of these regulations, Article 4 mandates that the vehicle owner or driver register the vehicle's data at the customs point of entry, in accordance with the procedures established by the authority. This registration serves as the basis for calculating the permitted stay. Article 5 stipulates that exceeding the 90-day period without obtaining approval for an extension constitutes a traffic violation. Violators will be penalized according to paragraph (5) of Article (68) of the Traffic Law, which falls under violation schedule No. (5) attached to the law. This underscores the seriousness with which this violation is addressed and its direct connection to national traffic regulations.
