Ministry of Commerce

Application for registering a Commercial Agency

The Commercial Agency Registration Application represents the official gateway for establishing any agency partnership between a local establishment and an external manufacturer or supplier in the Saudi market under regulatory standards. Registration of the commercial agency is required electronically through the Ministry of Commerce portal. This grants the agent or principal legal benefits, enabling them to represent the brand or product, execute contractual and customs processes, and open official accounts with governmental and private entities.

The procedure begins with preparing the original agency contract in compliance with Saudi commercial law (including the essential clauses, contracting mechanism, and party details). The application form is then completed and documents uploaded electronically. For agencies with foreign principals, the contract must be certified by the Kingdom’s representative office in the principal’s country or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy, along with a certified legal translation. In the case of local agencies, documents must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce. All data is submitted electronically for review, verification, and approval by the Ministry team, after which a Commercial Agency Registration Certificate is issued and made immediately printable.

Importance of the Commercial Agency Registration Application

Official recognition of the agent or distributor in all formal dealings.
Facilitates contract execution and exclusive rights to products and services.
Simplifies import and customs clearance procedures by proving legal representation.
Protects the rights of both parties commercially and legally in case of disputes or future claims.
Enhances credibility with banks, financing institutions, and relevant government authorities.
Establishes the regulatory foundation for participating in official tenders or exporting to new markets.


Challenges in Completing or Issuing a Commercial Agency Registration
Ensuring that the contract details fully comply with Saudi commercial law, requiring precise legal expertise for drafting clauses.
The need for multiple document certifications from different authorities (embassies, ministries, chambers of commerce), which may cause delays or additional costs.
Difficulty in processing applications in cases of discrepancies or missing information in contracts or party details, especially with foreign agencies.
Possible rejection of the registration if a similar active agency already exists, or if conflicts or exceptions are found in previous contracts.
Sudden updates to regulations or Ministry platform requirements may complicate procedures.
The ongoing need to monitor regulations to ensure compliance with all legal conditions and maintain the validity of the registration after issuance.
Target Sector Trader
Affiliated Authority Ministry of Commerce
Estimated Duration1 day
Gov Approval Window5 working days
Service Pricing4000
Government Fee500

Mandatory Conditions

  • ✓ Existence of a commercial register identical to the agency's activity.
  • ✓ The agent companies or institutions must be entirely Saudi with 100% Saudi capital.
  • ✓ If both parties to the contract are Saudis, the contract shall be attested by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Kingdom for both parties.
  • ✓ If the principal is a foreigner, the original contract shall be attested by the following jurisdictions: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the client’s country - The Chamber of Commerce in the principal’s country if any - The Saudi Embassy in the principal’s country - The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or Apostille authentication.
  • ✓ A contract must be made with the producing company (the mother) or whoever replaces it in its country of origin directly, without any intermediary outside its country.
  • ✓ The types and names of the goods and services subject of the agency must be clarified in the contract in detail.
  • ✓ The contract’s validity date, duration, method of termination, and renewal method must be clarified.
  • ✓ The official name of the foreign company must be indicated in the contract in both Arabic and English without any abbreviations or symbols.
  • ✓ The name of the foreign company must be translated into Arabic literally, not the meaning.
  • ✓ Take care to settle any dispute or disagreement between the principal and the agent before the competent authorities (to be mentioned in the contract).
  • ✓ The contract must be translated if the contract is in English or any other language translated from an accredited office.
  • ✓ Both parties sign the contract.
  • ✓ Determine the competent judicial authority or the State to be referred to in the event of disputes arising between the parties (stated in the contract).

Required Documents

  • ✓ A Copy of the Commercial Register.
  • ✓ The Contract, and its attachments (If any).
  • ✓ National Address.
  • ✓ Required Data: (ID Number - Email - Absher Phone Number).
  • ✓ A copy of the authorization, if any