Last updated: 19 October 2026
Shops in Saudi Arabia can now be fined up to SAR 1,000 for showing the phrase “goods sold are not returnable or exchangeable” (البضاعة المباعة لا ترد ولا تستبدل), or any wording with the same meaning. The fine is part of a new penalty table for sales violations approved by Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, Okaz and Al Yaum reported on 16 October.
The ban covers the shop itself and anything it gives you: a sign at the counter, a line printed on the receipt or invoice, a sticker on the bag or a note in an advert.
What the new penalty table says
The table, issued under Ministerial Decision No. 85 dated 24/04/1448 AH, sets the fines for sales and pricing violations that fall under the Ministry of Commerce within the municipal violations system. It replaces the previous table and adds penalties for sales violations that had no set fine before.
For return and exchange violations, the fine depends on the classification of the municipality where the shop is:
| Municipality level | Fine |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | SAR 1,000 |
| Level 2 | SAR 800 |
| Level 3 | SAR 600 |
| Level 4 | SAR 400 |
| Level 5 | SAR 200 |
These are listed as non-serious violations, so a shop is first notified and given a 14-day period to fix the problem. If it repeats the violation, the fine is doubled.
Follow Saudi Life Guide for Iqama, visa and job updates
New rules, fees and news as soon as we publish them. Join 60,000+ followers on Facebook.
Other shop violations in the same table
The same range of SAR 200 to 1,000 applies to:
- not following the shop’s own return and exchange policy
- refusing to sell a displayed item or refusing to give an invoice
- goods on display without a price
- charging more at the till than the advertised price
- not offering a working electronic payment option such as mada
Refusing to let a customer pay electronically costs SAR 400 to 2,000. Selling essential goods above a price set by official decision is fined the difference in price, at least SAR 5,000 and up to SAR 100,000 for each item. Keeping or displaying goods of unknown origin is a serious violation, with fines of SAR 1,000 to 5,000 and no warning period.
What this means when you shop
The phrase itself is not new. The Ministry of Commerce has banned it for years, but many small shops still print it on receipts. What changes now is a clear fine in the official table.
The rule does not mean every shop must take back anything at any time. Shops can still set their own return and exchange policy, for example a time limit, the original receipt or unused goods with tags. What they cannot do is tell you that nothing can ever be returned or exchanged, and once they set a policy they must follow it.
Your strongest right is for faulty goods. The Ministry of Commerce says that if an item is defective, adulterated or counterfeit, you can return it and get your money back.
- Keep the receipt or invoice, and ask for one if the shop does not give it. For bigger buys such as a new iPhone or gold jewellery, also keep the warranty card.
- Ask about the return and exchange policy before you pay, especially during sales.
- Take a photo of the sign or the receipt line if a shop refuses a return using this phrase.
How to report a shop
You can report a shop to the Ministry of Commerce through:
- the consumer call centre on 1900
- the ministry’s Commercial Violation Report app (Balagh Tijari)
- the Ministry of Commerce website
Add the shop name, location, date and your photo of the sign or receipt.
Planning your monthly spending in the Kingdom? Our cost of living calculator helps you budget shopping, rent and bills. For other everyday rules that protect customers, see the Saudi barber shop rules and your refund rights when a flight is delayed or cancelled.
Sources: Okaz and Al Yaum, 16 October 2026; Ministry of Commerce consumer rights notice on defective goods.