104 Suspected Commercial Concealment Cases in June

The National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment carried out more than 4,500 inspection visits across Saudi Arabia in June 2026, detecting 104 suspected cases of commercial concealment, authorities confirmed.

Commercial concealment occurs when a non-Saudi is enabled to practice an economic activity they are not licensed to conduct, by using a Saudi individual's licence, commercial registration, or name. Cases are handled by the Ministry of Commerce alongside the anti-concealment program.

Stronger penalties

Under the current Anti-Commercial Concealment Law, offenders face imprisonment of up to 5 years, fines of up to SAR 5,000,000, confiscation of illicit funds and assets after a final court ruling, business shutdown and liquidation, revocation of commercial registration, and a prohibition from carrying out commercial activities. Offenders must also settle any due zakat, taxes, and fees. Non-Saudi violators face deportation after serving their sentence, along with a permanent ban on working in the Kingdom.

These penalties are a significant increase from the previous law, which capped imprisonment at 2 years and fines at SAR 1,000,000. A separate tier applies fines of up to SAR 500,000 and business closure of up to 90 days for certain violations.

Whistleblowers may receive up to 30% of the collected fine after a final judgment, and their identity and personal data are protected and excluded from case files. Reports of suspected concealment can be submitted electronically through Ministry of Commerce channels.

Enforcement has been steadily active. During 2025, more than 35,280 inspection visits were conducted, resulting in 1,017 initial suspected cases and 6,373 investigated reports, while fines imposed in one quarter reached SAR 2,189,600. The corrective and grace periods that once allowed violators to regularize their status have expired, meaning full penalties now apply to those found in violation.

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