90-Day Grace Period for GCC-Plated Vehicles in Saudi Arabia (Ends Nov 23, 2026)

ZATCA (the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority), together with the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Traffic, has announced a 90-day corrective grace period for anyone in Saudi Arabia with a GCC-registered vehicle — Saudi citizens and non-GCC residents (expats included) who own or are authorized to drive such vehicles.

⏰ Key dates: The grace period runs from 26 August 2026 and ends 23 November 2026.

The rule in one line

A GCC-plated vehicle may stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) within any 365-day period, counted from the day it entered through a customs port. The new regulations take effect 26 August 2026.

Who this applies to

• Saudi citizens and non-GCC residents who own a GCC-registered vehicle currently in the Kingdom
• Anyone authorized to drive such a vehicle (with the owner’s authorization)

Your two options during the grace period

1. Take the vehicle out of Saudi Arabia before the window closes, or
2. Register it in Saudi Arabia (get Saudi plates): authorize a licensed customs broker to file the customs declaration electronically via the Fasah platform at the nearest port, meet the requirements, and pay the applicable customs duties and taxes — no need to return to the original entry port. A customs-broker directory is on ZATCA’s website.

Need more time? Up to 30 extra days via Absher

Before the legal period expires, owners or authorized drivers can request an extension of up to 30 days (counted from the end of the legal period), in coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic. The service will be available through Absher. Applications submitted after the period expires will not be accepted.

What happens if you ignore it

• A fine of SAR 1,000–2,000 for overstaying
• Possible impoundment of the vehicle until the violation is resolved — towing and storage costs fall on the owner/authorized driver
• To resolve an existing overstay: either register the vehicle in Saudi Arabia, or pay the fines and sign an undertaking to export the vehicle through the designated port

Questions?

ZATCA is reachable 24/7: call center 19993, @Zatca_Care on X, [email protected], or live chat at zatca.gov.sa.

References

1. ZATCA official announcement (21 Aug 2026) — https://zatca.gov.sa/ar/MediaCenter/News/Pages/GCC-Registered-Vehicle.aspx
2. @eMoroor (General Directorate of Traffic) announcement — https://x.com/eMoroor/status/2090804044931457171
3. Council of Ministers Decision No. (736) approving the GCC-vehicle stay rules (Umm Al-Qura) — https://www.uqn.gov.sa/decisions-and-regulations/4000448

Disclaimer: informational only — verify details with ZATCA or the General Directorate of Traffic before acting.