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The Ministry of Commerce has approved an import licensing guide developed in coordination with 11 other government bodies to regulate the entry storage and transport of air-powered sports weapons individual firearms air rifles antique pieces and fireworks. The document which took effect immediately aims to unify procedures that previously varied across agencies and to ensure all imports undergo security vetting. According to the guide the coordinated approach will prevent misuse of items that resemble real weapons while supporting legitimate sports and recreational uses. The involved entities include the Ministry of Interior the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources along with the High Commission for Industrial Security the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Communications Space and Technology Commission. Additional participants are the General Authority for Media Regulation the National Center for Environmental Compliance and the National Center for Wildlife Development with the Ministry of Sport playing a key role in sports-related approvals.
Under the new framework importers of air weapons designed for games and sports must hold a valid activity license from the Ministry of Sport and a current commercial register. The guide requires a detailed statement of quantities accompanied by technical catalogs plus specification of the entry port and approved storage site before submission. Applications are routed first through the Ministry of Sport and then referred to the Directorate of Weapons and Explosives at Public Security for security review and final import authorization. This process ensures that only compliant operators gain access to such equipment which the Ministry of Interior has historically restricted under the Law of Weapons and Ammunition to licensed Saudi entities. The guide also mandates adherence to safety standards during transport to mitigate risks associated with these items.
Importers seeking air rifles face additional personal criteria outlined in the guide including a minimum age of 25 years and a clean record free of criminal convictions or security restrictions. Applicants must secure Public Security approval for a dedicated storage facility that meets regulatory specifications and provide an unconditional bank guarantee of 500000 Saudi riyals valid for the license duration. An electronic inventory system capable of tracking stock movements in real time is compulsory to maintain transparency and prevent diversion. The Ministry of Commerce guide stresses that these measures build on existing provisions in the Law of Weapons and Ammunition which limits possession and import to authorized parties only. Failure to meet any condition results in application rejection according to the coordinated standards.
Antique firearms manufactured before 1900 are subject to separate rules that require the importer to be at least 22 years old and to furnish historical documentation proving the date of manufacture. The guide stipulates that such items may only be imported for collection purposes and must comply with storage and transport conditions approved by Public Security. Similar documentation and licensing demands apply to hunting weapons and related accessories which may be sold only at temporary approved events. These provisions align with longstanding Ministry of Interior policies that prohibit unlicensed trade in any weapon-like objects to safeguard national security. The unified guide therefore reduces ambiguity for legitimate collectors while tightening oversight.
Fireworks imports are restricted to Saudi nationals with no security restrictions who must present a commercial register and commit in writing to full safety protocols for transport storage and display. The guide requires either a bank guarantee or insurance policy covering workers and third parties plus specialized vehicles and permanent warehouses equipped with monitoring systems. Electronic tracking of every item is mandatory and sales to event organizers demand prior approval from the regional Public Security directorate which forwards recommendations to the minister for final permits valid up to three years. This framework echoes earlier Ministry of Interior directives on pyrotechnics that emphasize destruction of surplus materials after events. The multi-agency effort reflects broader Saudi regulatory reforms aimed at harmonizing trade controls with public safety priorities.
The initiative comes amid ongoing enforcement of Gulf Cooperation Council technical regulations on toys and imitation items managed by the GCC Standardization Organization which sets safety benchmarks aligned with international norms such as ISO 8124. A separate ZATCA blacklist treats realistic weapon replicas as prohibited to avoid public alarm reinforcing the need for the new licensing pathway for genuine sports equipment. By centralizing approvals the 12 entities have created a single reference that importers can consult reducing processing delays while upholding strict vetting. The Ministry of Commerce indicated the guide will be updated periodically based on operational feedback from participating agencies. This development provides clearer compliance routes for businesses in the growing sports and recreation sector without compromising security standards.
