E-Commerce Law

Purpose and scope

• Regulates e-commerce to build trust in online dealings and protect consumers from fraud and deception, and sets the obligations of the service provider (online store) and the consumer's rights.
• It applies to everyone who engages in e-commerce in the Kingdom, whether a registered trader or a non-registered practitioner, including stores operating through social media.

Key rules, rights and obligations

• The provider must disclose in its store its name, address and contact details, and its commercial registration or freelance document if any.
• The provider must state the main features of the product, the total price including taxes, fees and delivery cost, payment and delivery arrangements, and warranty terms.
• The contract must be clear, and the consumer must receive an invoice or contract document with its details.
• The consumer may cancel within the period set by the law from receipt if the product is unused, unless otherwise agreed, with exceptions such as custom-made goods, perishables, recordings and opened software.
• Misleading online advertising, or advertising containing a false offer or statement, is prohibited, and an ad must identify the advertiser.
• The provider must protect the consumer's personal data and not use it for other purposes.

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Late delivery beyond the agreed date lets the consumer cancel and get a refund in the cases set by the law.
• Common complaints: products not matching the description, refusal of returns, extra fees hidden until checkout, and fake social media accounts.
• Violators face a warning, a fine, or temporary or permanent suspension from e-commerce, and the store may be blocked.

Procedures and key deadlines

• Consumer complaints go to the Ministry of Commerce through its commercial reporting app or online platforms.
• Keep proof of the order, payment, correspondence and photos of the product on receipt for use in a complaint or claim.
• A store may offer a wider return policy than the law requires, but may not narrow what the law gives the consumer.

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.