What happened? The official gazette Umm Al-Qura published the Commercial Transactions Law on Friday, 13 November 2026. The Council of Ministers approved the 271-article law on 27 October 2026.
When does it take effect? The law comes into force 180 days after its publication in the official gazette, which puts the start date in May 2027.
Which laws does it replace? Once in force, it replaces three existing laws: the Commercial Law, the Commercial Papers Law and the Commercial Books Law, bringing the rules on traders, contracts and commercial papers into one reference.
What does it cover? For the first time, a single document sets out the rules on commercial sales, supply sales, commercial agency and brokerage. It defines who counts as a trader, which activities are commercial by nature and which become commercial when practised as a profession. It also bans unfair competition and lets anyone harmed ask a court to stop the practice and claim compensation.
Can people under 18 trade? The law allows anyone aged 15 or over to trade with the permission of a guardian, custodian or court.
What if a seller delivers late? After giving the seller a reasonable grace period, the buyer may ask the court to order delivery or allow the purchase of a substitute at the seller's expense, and may claim the price difference.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Okaz, Al-Watan, Al-Saudi News, Sobra
