Saudi e-commerce law: what your online store must have
Saudi Arabia's E-Commerce Law was issued by Royal Decree M/126 in 2019. It applies to stores selling inside the Kingdom, and to sellers abroad who target Saudi consumers. Whether your store runs on Salla, Zid or a custom build, the responsibility is yours as the merchant.
This is general information, not legal advice. For the details, see the text of the law and the Ministry of Commerce.
1. Clear store details
Customers must know who they're dealing with: the store's name, address and contact methods. Link your store to your commercial registration. As for store authentication, confirm the current route with the Ministry of Commerce and the Saudi Business Center, because it gets updated.
2. Terms before purchase
Before paying, the customer must clearly see the full price including tax and delivery, the payment method, the delivery date, and your warranty, return and cancellation terms. Keep them in Arabic.
3. The 7-day right to cancel
Consumers can end the contract within seven days of receiving the product or contracting for a service, provided they haven't used it. There are exceptions, including made-to-order products, software downloaded from the internet, and transport and catering. Explain this on your policy page and make cancelling easy.
4. Delivery dates
If delivery is delayed by more than 15 days, unless a different period was agreed, the customer can cancel and get a full refund, except in cases of force majeure. It's best to tell the customer about any expected delay before they ask.
In practice, have your system send order status automatically, and show realistic delivery dates.
5. Honest advertising
False or misleading advertising is prohibited, as is using counterfeit logos or trademarks. Check your offers: a discount has to be a real reduction from a real price.
6. Customer data
Keep data for the purposes of the order and don't use it for anything else without a legal basis. Work through the PDPL checklist, because the two laws go together.
7. Invoices
Invoicing is part of your obligations. If you're within the integration waves, read what e-invoicing requires.
What are the penalties?
They include a warning, a fine of up to SAR 1 million, temporary or permanent suspension of your activity, and partial or complete blocking of your store.
A quick pre-launch list
- An "About" page with your store's details.
- A terms and returns page in Arabic.
- The full price visible before payment.
- An easy way to request cancellation.
- Order status notifications.
- A commercial registration linked to the store.
- A real privacy notice.
Undecided between a ready-made platform and a custom store? Read Salla, Zid or a custom store. If you'd like a technical review of your store, get in touch.