Why Disclosure Rules Matter for Expats
As an expat in Saudi Arabia, you may shop across a wide variety of platforms — from large regional marketplaces to small individual sellers on social media storefronts. The Saudi E-Commerce Law applies to all of them, including sellers based outside Saudi Arabia who are targeting Saudi consumers.
These disclosure rules exist to ensure you know exactly who you are dealing with, what you are buying, and on what terms — before you commit any money.
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Mandatory Information Every Online Seller Must Display
Under Article 6, every Electronic Shop operating in Saudi Arabia must clearly display the following information:
Identity and Contact Information
- The seller's full name or a distinctive identifier (such as a brand name)
- The seller's registered address
- Contact information — this must include a means of reaching the seller directly (phone, email, or live chat)
Note: Sellers registered with an E-Shops Authentication Entity may be exempt from displaying their address directly, as their credentials are verifiable through that entity.
Transaction and Contract Information
Under Article 7, before you confirm any order, the seller must provide a clear statement covering:
- The step-by-step procedures for concluding the contract (i.e., how the purchase process works)
- Full information about the seller, including their legal status
- Basic product or service information — what exactly you are buying
- The price, broken down to include all fees, taxes, and delivery charges
- Payment methods accepted
- The delivery or execution timeline
- Your rights to cancel or return the product or service
- Any warranties applicable to the product
- The language in which the contract will be maintained
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Post-Purchase: The Receipt Requirement
Once you complete a purchase, Article 8 requires the seller to issue you a receipt that includes:
- The cost of each individual product or service purchased
- The total price, inclusive of all fees and taxes
- Any delivery fees
- The expected delivery date and location
If you do not receive this receipt, request it immediately. The absence of a receipt is a violation of Saudi law and weakens the seller's legal position in any dispute.
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Disclosure Rules for Licensed Professionals Selling Online
If you are buying from a seller who operates in a regulated profession — such as a pharmacist, financial advisor, healthcare provider, or legal practitioner — Article 9 requires additional disclosures:
- The regulatory body with which they are registered
- Their license or authorization number
- The applicable professional rules and conduct standards for their profession
- Any restrictions on the goods or services they are authorized to offer
Practical tip: If you are buying medicines, health supplements, financial products, or legal services online in Saudi Arabia, always verify the seller's license number against the relevant regulatory authority before proceeding.
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Electronic Advertisements Are Legally Binding
This is a critically important rule that many shoppers are unaware of. Under Article 10, any electronic advertisement made by a seller — whether on their website, social media, or a third-party platform — is considered a contractual document.
This means:
- If a seller advertises a product at a certain price, that price is legally binding
- If an ad makes specific claims about product features or delivery timelines, those claims form part of the contract
- Sellers cannot advertise one price and then charge another at checkout
Every electronic advertisement must clearly state:
- The name of the product or service
- The name of the seller
- The price, including all applicable taxes and fees
- Any terms and conditions attached to the offer
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Protection Against Misleading Information
Article 11 explicitly prohibits sellers from including in any electronic advertisement:
- False or misleading statements about the product, service, price, or seller identity
- Counterfeit logos or trademarks — if a seller displays a brand logo they are not authorized to use, this is an illegal act
- Any deceptive content that could mislead a reasonable consumer, whether directly or indirectly
The Ministry of Commerce can issue correction orders and impose fines up to SAR 1,000,000 on sellers who violate these rules. The seller's electronic shop can also be temporarily or permanently blocked.
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Red Flags: Signs a Seller May Be Violating the Law
Watch out for these warning signs when shopping online in Saudi Arabia:
- No contact information visible on the shop or listing
- No terms and conditions provided before checkout
- Price changes between the advertised listing and the checkout page
- No receipt sent after purchase
- Unverifiable license numbers for regulated products
- Missing delivery timeline information
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What to Do If a Seller Fails to Disclose Required Information
- Do not complete the purchase if critical information is missing before checkout
- File a complaint with the Ministry of Commerce at mc.gov.sa
- Report through Maroof for registered Saudi sellers
- If you have already purchased and been misled, pursue compensation through the competent court under Article 22
Knowing what sellers are legally required to tell you is your first line of defense against fraud and poor service in Saudi Arabia's online marketplace.