What are the new laws on e-commerce in Saudi Arabia

Sahl Wednesday,25 Jun 2025

E-commerce in Saudi Arabia is witnessing significant regulatory development. The government has recently focused on strictly regulating the sector, with the goal of protecting consumers, supporting transparency, and developing the digital economy within Vision 2030. If you own a store or intend to launch one, you must be aware of the new laws to avoid fines and gain customer trust.
1. E-commerce System and Store Licensing
• The E-commerce System was issued by the Ministry of Commerce, along with the implementing regulations that specify important obligations such as store information, return policy, and merchant authentication. en.wikipedia.org+10watheeq.com.sa+10watheeq.com.sa+10mithaq.com.sa.
• The store must be officially registered on the "Maroof" portal and obtain an electronic commercial registration from the Ministry.
2. Consumer Protection and Rights
• An e-commerce customer has the right to return a product within 7 days if they have not used it.
• Product prices must be fully stated: product value + taxes + shipping fees.
• Financial terms must include details of payment, delivery, compensation, and late fees.
3. Personal Data Protection
• Regulations such as the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) require e-commerce companies to provide a clear privacy policy and prohibit data sharing without consent. saudicounsel.com+5watheeq.com.sa+5watheeq.com.sa+5.
• Security measures must be taken to protect against breaches and data leaks. generisonline.com+11ghazzawilawfirm.com+11saudicounsel.com+11.
4. Electronic Payment and SAMA Compliance
• Any electronic payment gateway must be approved by the Central Bank (SAMA) and use approved encryption. watheeq.com.sa.
• Multiple payment methods must be offered, such as Mada cards, credit cards, and e-wallets.
5. Taxes and Billing
• All stores registered for invoices include a 15% VAT, which must be reflected in the final price.
• VAT registration is mandatory for annual sales exceeding SAR 375,000 (tijara.me).
6. Regulating Digital Advertising
• Ad content must be truthful and not misleading, and payment budgets must be clear and clearly stated if funded or sponsored.
• Using customer data for marketing purposes without consent is prohibited (watheeq.com.sa).
7. New Commercial Registration Updates
• A new Commercial Registration and Trade Name Law will take effect starting April 2025 to facilitate registration procedures and the legal value of trademarks (tijara.me+9tamimi.com+9klealegal.com+9).
• ​​The goal is to expedite procedures and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within Vision 2030.
The new system is now more sophisticated and organized, providing protection for both the buyer and the store owner:
• It guarantees customer rights in terms of returns and pricing.
• It ensures that you are using secure and standard-compliant payment gateways.
• It maintains customer privacy and increases the store's credibility.
If you'd like to launch your store on the ground in a systematic manner from the start, you can contact the Sahl team, who will assist you with licensing, setting up a privacy policy, linking payment gateways, and regulatory-compliant advertising.