Saudi Arabia sets 90-day limit for GCC-registered vehicles, fines up to SR2,000

According to the Saudi Gazette, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has introduced new executive procedures governing the duration that privately owned vehicles registered in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may remain within Saudi Arabia. The regulations, approved by ZATCA Governor Suhail Abanmi in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, establish a maximum limit of 90 days for such vehicles within any 365-day period.

The new policy is scheduled to take effect on August 26, 2026. To assist with the transition, authorities have announced a 90-day grace period for vehicles already present in the Kingdom, allowing owners to regularize their status between August 26 and November 23, 2026. Failure to comply with the new time limits may result in fines reaching up to SR2,000.

These regulations apply to private vehicles registered in any GCC member state that are owned by Saudi citizens or residents, including those holding Premium Residency. The rules also extend to vehicles that a citizen or resident has been officially authorized to operate when entering the Kingdom through a designated customs port. The move is part of a broader effort to standardize vehicle registration and customs procedures across the region.