3,500 Online Stores Verified via Business Platform

Saudi government commercial services verified 3,500 online stores during the first half of 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to regulate and support the Kingdom's fast-growing e-commerce sector. The verifications were carried out through the commercial services operated by the Saudi Business Center.

Online store verification is now handled exclusively through the Business Platform (منصة الأعمال) operated by the Saudi Business Center, which has replaced Maroof as the only approved channel for verifying e-stores in the Kingdom.

What merchants need

To verify an online store, merchants must hold a valid Commercial Registration or a freelance certificate linked to e-commerce activity, along with an active commercial bank account in the same legal name as the business. Owners must also have an active Absher account and log in through Nafath, the national single sign-on. The store itself must be live, with a verified domain and a clear display of seller identity, contact details, VAT number, and return policy on the storefront.

The verification process runs through the Business Platform: users authenticate via Nafath, select the e-store verification service, choose the relevant Commercial Registration or freelance certificate, and enter full store details including the domain or app URL and category. Domain ownership is typically proven by adding a DNS TXT record with a code supplied by the platform, and the commercial bank account is linked to the store profile. Once approved, the store appears as verified and can display the verification badge.

On the cost side, Commercial Registration issuance or renewal generally runs about SAR 2,000 to SAR 4,000 in government fees, depending on the entity type and activity. For Saudi entities, the e-commerce certificate itself typically carries no extra government fee beyond the CR, with total initial regulatory costs for a new online retailer usually ranging between SAR 4,000 and SAR 10,000, varying by business size and structure.

The move gives shoppers greater confidence when buying from local online stores and helps ensure that verified sellers meet clear identity, contact, and consumer-protection standards.

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