COURT PROCEDURE

The Role of Saudi Customs in Trademark Protection

MAY 2026 · 6 min read

While court infringement actions take months, Saudi Customs can halt a counterfeit shipment within a day before it enters the market. But this arm works for you only if you registered with it in advance. Here is how the "Border Protection" system works and how you benefit from it.

Why Customs Matters More Than Courts in Many Cases

Counterfeit goods enter the market through ports and air/land borders. Stopping them at the border prevents harm before it occurs.

Court alternatives require discovering goods in market, buying a sample, filing suit, awaiting judgment — while sales continue.

The Saudi "Border Protection" System

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) handles trademark border enforcement. The system mandates interaction with rights holders' requests.

It operates under the international TRIPS Agreement and Saudi implementing regulations.

How to Register Your Mark with Customs

A registration request is filed with ZATCA including: SAIP trademark certificate, owner details, list of original products and authorized distributors, and the distinguishing marks that separate original from counterfeit.

Registration is valid for one year, renewable, and Customs updates its database to monitor shipments.

How the Procedure Works on the Ground

When a suspected shipment arrives, Customs notifies the rights holder within 3 business days and holds the shipment for 10 days for legal action.

If the owner confirms counterfeit, goods are seized and destroyed by judicial order. If the owner does not act in time, Customs releases the shipment.

System Costs

Customs registration fees are symbolic (under SAR 1,000 per year). Agent fees for initial file preparation: SAR 2,000–4,000.

This cost is minimal compared to the value of preventing counterfeit goods from reaching market.

System Limitations

The system is effective for imported goods, less effective for locally-manufactured products. Those need standard court procedures.

Also: small individual shipments (postal parcels, e-commerce) are harder to intercept than large commercial shipments.

Summary

Customs registration is the cheapest "legal insurance." At Rights we register our clients' marks with ZATCA as standard part of the comprehensive protection service — not waiting for the first infringement.