Key E-Commerce Laws in Saudi Arabia 2025 – Don’t Start Your Online Store Without Reading This

Discover the latest e-commerce laws in Saudi Arabia for 2025, and learn about licensing conditions, consumer rights, taxes, and data protection requirements, along with Watheeq’s role in facilitating compliance and accreditation for e-commerce stores.

Table of Contents:

Introduction: The Importance of Compliance with E-Commerce Laws in Saudi Arabia

Key Legislations Governing E-Commerce in the Kingdom

Conditions and Requirements for Obtaining an E-Commerce Store License in Saudi Arabia

Consumer Rights in E-Commerce According to Saudi Laws

Taxes and Fees Imposed on E-Commerce Stores

Data Protection and Customer Privacy Requirements

E-Payment Mechanisms and Compliance with Digital Payment Systems

Digital Marketing and Advertising Conditions According to Saudi Regulations

Watheeq’s Role in Facilitating Compliance with E-Commerce Laws

Tips for Entrepreneurs to Ensure Compliance and Avoid Fines

Conclusion: The Future of E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia

1. Introduction: The Importance of Compliance with E-Commerce Laws in Saudi Arabia

Discover the latest e-commerce laws in Saudi Arabia for 2025, and learn about licensing conditions, consumer rights, taxes, and data protection requirements, along with Watheeq’s role in facilitating compliance and accreditation for e-commerce stores.

2. Key Legislations Governing E-Commerce in the Kingdom

E-commerce in Saudi Arabia is governed by a set of laws and regulations, most notably:

The E-Commerce Law issued by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce, which governs the relationship between the merchant and the consumer.

The Executive Regulation of the E-Commerce Law, which defines the conditions for advertising, product disclosure, and return and exchange policies.

The Personal Data Protection Law, which imposes strict requirements on the storage and processing of customer data.

Digital Payment Systems regulations issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), ensuring the security of online financial transactions.

3. Conditions and Requirements for Obtaining an E-Commerce Store License in Saudi Arabia

To establish an e-commerce store in the Kingdom, merchants must:

Register their business on the “Maroof” platform provided by the Ministry of Commerce.

Obtain an electronic commercial registration through the Ministry of Commerce website.

Comply with consumer protection regulations, including clear pricing and return policies.

Ensure that payment systems comply with the requirements set by the Saudi Central Bank.

4. Consumer Rights in E-Commerce According to Saudi Laws

Saudi laws grant consumers a set of fundamental rights, including:

The right to return a product within 7 days if unused.

Clear disclosure of the total price of the product, including taxes and shipping fees

A clear return and exchange policy

Protection of customer data from leaks or unauthorized use.

5. Taxes and Fees Imposed on E-Commerce Stores

E-commerce in Saudi Arabia is subject to several taxes and fees, including:

A 15% value-added tax (VAT).

Customs duties on imported products.

Taxes on digital products and electronic services. Merchants must disclose taxes clearly within the final prices of the products.

6. Data Protection and Customer Privacy Requirements

According to the Personal Data Protection Law in Saudi Arabia, e-commerce merchants must:

Protect customer data from breaches and leaks.

Provide a clear privacy policy outlining how data is used.

Not share customer data with third parties without explicit consent.

7. E-Payment Mechanisms and Compliance with Digital Payment Systems

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) oversees e-payment systems and requires merchants to:

Use approved payment gateways that ensure customer data security.

Offer various payment options, including credit cards, Mada, and e-wallets.

Encrypt transaction data to prevent security breaches.

8. Digital Marketing and Advertising Conditions According to Saudi Regulations

Saudi regulations impose restrictions on digital advertisements to ensure they are not misleading, including:

A ban on misleading or false advertisements.

Clear disclosure of any paid content or sponsored ads.

Not using customer data for marketing purposes without consent.

9. Watheeq’s Role in Facilitating Compliance with E-Commerce Laws

Watheeq is a strategic partner for e-commerce store owners, offering services such as:

Assisting merchants in obtaining the required licenses.

Conducting legal audits to ensure full compliance.

Preparing detailed reports on e-commerce laws in Saudi Arabia.

10. Tips for Entrepreneurs to Ensure Compliance and Avoid Fines

✅ Obtain legal licenses before launching your e-commerce store.

✅ Adhere to data protection requirements and pricing transparency.

✅ Use approved payment systems to ensure financial transaction security.

✅ Ensure that all advertisements comply with Saudi regulations.

✅ Utilize Watheeq’s services to ensure quick and effective compliance.

11. Conclusion: The Future of E-Commerce in Saudi Arabia

With evolving regulations and increased government support for digital commerce, the e-commerce sector is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Therefore, compliance with laws and regulatory frameworks is essential for the success of any e-commerce store in the Kingdom. You can rely on Watheeq to facilitate this process and ensure full legal compliance.