The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, announced the adoption of new regulations governing the continued presence of vehicles bearing license plates from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries within Saudi Arabia. This step comes as part of ongoing efforts to regulate traffic and customs procedures and enhance compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the Kingdom.
The context of the decision and its organizational dimensions
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries enjoy strong economic and social ties, characterized by heavy land traffic of vehicles and people across their border crossings. In this context, it was essential to establish a clear legal framework that distinguishes between temporary visits and permanent residency for foreign vehicles. These regulations aim to close loopholes that could be exploited to circumvent the standard procedures related to vehicle importation or periodic technical inspections, ensuring that all vehicles traveling on the Kingdom's roads adhere to unified safety and security standards.
Details of the duration of stay and the calculation mechanism
Under Article 3 of the new regulations, a maximum stay of 90 days has been set for Gulf vehicles within the Kingdom, whether continuous or intermittent. This period is calculated within a full calendar year (365 days) starting from the date of the vehicle's first entry through customs. This regulation provides flexibility for Gulf visitors and tourists while simultaneously preventing the phenomenon of vehicles remaining for extended periods without rectifying their customs and traffic status.
Categories covered and exclusions
These regulations apply to vehicles owned by citizens or residents, or those driven by them under official authorization. The regulations take into account the nature of commercial and tourism activities, exempting vehicles rented from licensed rental companies in the GCC countries. This facilitates intra-GCC tourism without procedural complications, provided that the rental contracts are valid and in order.
Extension mechanism and resulting penalties
Recognizing exceptional circumstances, the regulations allow for an extension of the stay period by submitting a formal request to the Ministry of Interior, which has the discretionary authority to approve such extensions based on considerations it deems appropriate. Conversely, Article Five stipulates strict penalties for violators who exceed the specified period without an extension. Such violations will be treated as traffic offenses under the Saudi Traffic Law, specifically paragraph (25) of violation schedule No. (5).
Expected impact locally and regionally
This decision is expected to improve traffic discipline within Saudi cities and reduce the number of vehicles violating periodic inspection and local insurance regulations. Regionally, this measure enhances digital integration and data exchange between customs and traffic authorities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, thereby increasing the efficiency of the shared security and economic system and safeguarding the rights of all parties.
