90-day grace period to regularize GCC vehicles in Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities have introduced a 90-day grace period for Saudi citizens and non-GCC residents to regularize the status of GCC-registered vehicles in the Kingdom. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Traffic under the Ministry of Interior, clarified that GCC-registered vehicles owned by Saudi citizens or non-GCC residents, or those authorized to drive them, can only legally stay in the Kingdom for a maximum of 90 days within a 365-day period.

The calculation of this 90-day window starts from the vehicle's first entry into Saudi Arabia through a customs port. The regulations, set to commence on August 26, 2026, and conclude on November 23, 2026, allow vehicle owners—be they Saudi citizens, non-GCC residents, or authorized drivers—to either remove their vehicles from the Kingdom or convert their registration to Saudi plates before the grace period expires.

The process can be facilitated by a customs broker through the Fasah platform, where all requirements are met and the necessary customs duties and taxes are paid without the need to return to the entry port. Owners can also request an extension of up to 30 additional days beyond the original 90-day period, contingent on coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic via the Absher platform.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has urged all Saudi citizens and non-GCC residents with GCC-registered vehicles to familiarize themselves with the new regulations, which are accessible on the customs regulations page of their website. Inquiries can be made through various channels, including a 24/7 unified call center, the Zatca Care account on X, an email, or live chat on the authority's website.