Chemical release request

It is not permissible to import Chemicals except in case of obtaining permission to import them, and they may not be released from customs until permission to release them is presented.

The competent authorities in approving the import permit and chemical clearance depend on the type of materials to be imported as follows:

Chemicals included in the composition of explosives:

the importer submits an import permit request to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources using the relevant forms, and the ministry, in turn, coordinates with the Ministry of Interior - the Supreme Authority for Industrial Security to obtain approval to issue an import permit, and then it is cleared by the authority granting import permission.

Precursor chemicals:

The importer submits an import permit request to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources using the relevant forms, and the ministry, in turn, coordinates with the Ministry of Interior - the General Directorate of Narcotics Control - the General Administration of Precursors and

Laboratories. Then it is referred by the last party to the Food and Drug Authority to issue an import permit and a release permit.

Chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives and the manufacture of narcotics:

The importer submits an import permit application to the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources using the relevant forms, and the ministry, in turn, coordinates with the Ministry of Interior - the General Directorate for Narcotics Control - the General Administration of Precursors and Laboratories. After approval, it is referred by the latter party to the "Ministry of Interior, the Supreme Authority for Industrial Security" for approval and the issuance of the import permit and the release permit, it also notifies the General Directorate for Narcotics Control and the Food and Drug Authority in the event of approval of the import permit.

Chemicals for petroleum, mining, and electricity companies: The importer submits the application to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources so that the approval is issued in agreement with the Ministry of Interior and Customs.

Chemicals for educational institutions:

The importer submits an import and release permit application to the Ministry of Education directly, without referring to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources for that purpose.

Chemicals used in the making and formulation of medicines, and chemicals needed by the health sector, including non-radioactive reagents: The importer submits the application directly to the Ministry of Health so that the approval is issued in agreement with the Ministry of Interior, without referring to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources for that purpose.

Chemicals used in the preparation or installation of agricultural pesticides, soil conditioners, fertilizers and veterinary medicines, chemicals needed by agricultural research centers, chemicals used in water and sewage treatment, and special stations, and chemicals needed by water and sewage research centers and laboratories: The importer submits the application directly to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture so that the approval is issued in agreement with the Ministry of Interior, without referring to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources for that purpose.

Chemicals traded in local markets imported by commercial institutions and companies: The importer submits an application to the Ministry of Trade and Investment so that the approval is issued in agreement with the Ministry of Interior.

Chemicals included in the Prohibition of Weapons Convention: The importer/exporter submits the application to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, which is considered the authority responsible for evaluating the application and issuing the import and release permit for these chemicals, in coordination with the concerned authorities.

All authorities concerned with clearance must provide the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection with a copy of the release permits that it issues for chemicals, once they are issued.

Importers of Chemicals shall commit to the following:

Finish the clearance procedures before the chemicals arrive in the Kingdom or if they arrive within the approved period thereof.

Transporting chemicals in a secure manner by authorized means of transportation.

Inform the Ministry of Interior before transporting hazardous chemicals.

Storing chemicals in places designated for them, in accordance with the conditions and instructions specified by the implementing regulations of the Chemical Materials Import Law.

Storage of chemicals in designated places, in accordance with the conditions and instructions specified by the implementing regulations of the Chemical Materials Import Law.

Implementation of safety instructions for workers in establishments that deal with chemicals.

Implementation of standard specifications for chemical packaging.

Do not use imported chemicals in a field other than the one for which it was requested.

Do not handle chemicals except at designated places.

Handling of chemicals by people qualified in the field of safety and prevention.

Periodically inform the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection of their accumulated or expired chemicals or chemical waste.

Dispose of chemical waste, in accordance with approved procedures and regulations.

In the event that the item(s) to be cleared is packed, it must be taken into account that all packages conform to the standard specifications set by the Standards and Metrology Organization in terms of type, size, color, signs, and instructions to be labeled on them. In the absence of a competent national standard, it must be taken into account that the packages conform to the best international standards.

The agency must not approve a permit to import or release chemicals for any of the prohibited chemicals. The agency must also follow up with the Ministry of Interior and any other concerned authorities to verify any updates that may occur on the schedules of prohibited materials, and on any other new schedules that may be agreed upon locally or internationally to ban the materials, to ensure that these materials are not circulated, traded and imported according to the regulations in force.

It is not permissible for any of the authorities to import or deal with the chemicals listed in the Weapon Prohibition Convention except under a license granted by the Ministry to the person concerned to be able to do so.

The imported chemicals must fulfill all the conditions and specifications stipulated in the implemented regulations of the Chemical Import Law, including obtaining licenses issued by the Ministry of Transport and the General Authority of Aviation.

The General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection, in coordination with the concerned authorities, undertakes the task of creating databases that include information related to chemical clearance and details of the released substances.

The Consumer Protection Association is concerned with following up on the markets to ensure that traders who import chemicals for trading purposes are committed to using these materials in the correct manner and complying with all necessary conditions and standards.

It is not permissible for any authority to deal with chemicals included in the Weapon Prohibition Convention except under a special license issued by the Ministry of  Industry and Mineral Resources after taking necessary measures for this purpose.