Saudi E-Commerce Law Regulations: Mandatory Contact Info, Return Policies & Fines

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│             SAUDI E-COMMERCE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT HIERARCHY          │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

                 Ministry of Commerce (MC / وزارة التجارة)
                                    │
         ┌──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┐
         ▼                                                     ▼
  Automated Web Crawlers                                Consumer Complaints
  (Inspects Salla, Zid & Social Media)                  (Balagh Tijari App / 1900)
         │                                                     │
         └──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┘
                                    ▼
       ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
       │     E-COMMERCE VIOLATIONS & INSPECTION COMMITTEE        │
       │     (لجنة النظر في مخالفات نظام التجارة الإلكترونية)     │
       └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                    │
         ┌──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┐
         ▼                                                     ▼
  [MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE FLAW]                           [SERIOUS STATUTORY BREACH]
  • Missing phone number                                • "No return" illegal clauses
  • Unverified Maroof link                              • Over 15-day delivery delay
  • Unclear pricing breakdown                           • Fraudulent influencer ads
         │                                                     │
         ▼                                                     ▼
  Formal 10-Day Correction Notice                       PENALTIES UNDER ARTICLE 32:
  (إنذار رسمي لتصحيح المخالفة)                          ├── Fines up to SAR 1,000,000
                                                        ├── Instant Domain Takedown / Block
                                                        ├── Commercial CR Suspension
                                                        └── Public Shaming in Newspapers

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│             ARTICLE 14 DELIVERY DELAY ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE             │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

  Order Placed on Storefront (Delivery Date Promised: e.g., 3 Days)
                                │
                                ▼
  Day 3 Passes: Order Not Delivered
                                │
                                ▼
  The 15-Day Statutory Countdown Commences (GTPL Article 14)
                                │
                                ▼
  Day 18 Reached: Total Delay Exceeds 15 Calendar Days Beyond Promise Date
                                │
                                ▼
  CONSUMER INVOKES ARTICLE 14 STATUTORY TERMINATION RIGHT
  ├── Consumer terminates contract via 1-click notification
  ├── Merchant MUST refund 100% of funds within 14 calendar days
  ├── Merchant cannot deduct shipping, packaging, or transaction fees
  └── Merchant cannot force the consumer to accept store credit/vouchers!

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│             STATUTORY PENALTY SCALE UNDER GTPL ARTICLE 32              │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

  [TIER 1: FORMAL WRITTEN WARNING (إنذار رسمي)]
  Issued for first-time, non-material administrative flaws.
  Merchant granted a 10-day statutory grace period to correct the violation.

  [TIER 2: ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCIAL FINES]
  Fines ranging from SAR 5,000 up to SAR 1,000,000:
  ├── Up to SAR 50,000: Missing contact info, unverified Maroof link,
      misleading pricing disclosures.
  ├── Up to SAR 250,000: Violating the 7-day return right, refusing refunds.
  └── Up to SAR 1,000,000: Deceptive advertising, selling counterfeit goods,
      massive delivery defaults, repeat violations within 3 years.

  [TIER 3: TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT WEBSITE BLOCKING / TAKEDOWN]
  The Ministry coordinates with the Communications Commission (CST) to
  block DNS access, shut down store apps, and take down the domain.

  [TIER 4: SUSPENSION OF COMMERCIAL REGISTRATION & BLACKLISTING]
  Freezing of Commercial Registration (CR), revoking Freelance Documents,
  and blacklisting the owner from e-commerce operations for up to 3 years.

  [TIER 5: PUBLIC DEFAMATION (التشهير)]
  Publishing the violator's name, commercial establishment, and the ruling
  in two national daily newspapers at the merchant's personal expense!

[Store Name] Return & Exchange Policy:
In accordance with the Saudi E-Commerce Law (Royal Decree No. M/126), our valued
customers possess the right to return or exchange products within 7 calendar days
from the date of receiving the order, subject to the following statutory terms:

1. Eligible Returns: Products must be in their original packaging, unused, unwashed,
   and retaining all original tags and accessories.
2. Defective or Damaged Goods: If a product is defective or does not match the
   specifications described on our storefront, [Store Name] bears 100% of all return
   shipping and replacement costs.
3. Discretionary Returns: If you wish to return a conforming product within the 7-day
   window, the customer is responsible for the direct return shipping courier fee.
4. Statutory Exceptions: In accordance with Article 13 of the E-Commerce Law, returns
   are NOT accepted for: (a) Custom-made products tailored to customer specifications;
   (b) Unsealed personal hygiene, cosmetic, or sanitary items; and (c) Perishable goods.
5. Refund Processing: Refunds will be credited to the original payment method (Mada,
   Apple Pay, Credit Card) within 14 calendar days of receiving the returned item.

[Store Name] Privacy Policy:
We are committed to protecting consumer personal data in compliance with the Saudi
Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and the Saudi E-Commerce Law:
1. Data Collection: We collect only the data necessary to fulfill your orders (Name,
   Delivery Address, Mobile Number, and Payment Confirmation).
2. Data Security: Payment transactions are processed through SAMA-licensed payment
   gateways via encrypted 256-bit SSL connections. We NEVER store raw credit card numbers.
3. Third-Party Sharing: Customer data is shared exclusively with authorized delivery
   couriers (e.g., SPL, SMSA, Aramex) solely for order fulfillment purposes.
4. Consumer Rights: You have the right to request access to, correction of, or permanent
   deletion of your personal data by contacting our Data Protection Officer at:
   Email: privacy@[yourstore].com | Phone: +966 [Your Number].