Sales Licensing

Sales licensing represents the official regulatory tool that allows commercial establishments to organize seasonal or temporary discount offers in a legal and transparent way within the Saudi market. This service enables retailers, shopping centers, and stores to provide discounts and promotional prices to customers, approved by the Ministry of Commerce through its dedicated electronic platform. This adds an extra layer of trust for consumers and gives brands the opportunity to boost purchasing activity in an official manner.

The service process is carried out electronically by submitting a license application, specifying the discount period and the list of products or services included, and attaching commercial data, records, and invoices proving previous prices. Applications are reviewed electronically, and the license is granted once all information is complete and the discount rates are verified. Stores and platforms are required to display the license and QR code to customers throughout the discount period to confirm its legality.

Regulatory authorities carefully verify the credibility of base prices and ensure compliance with the announced discount rates for listed products or services. It is prohibited to advertise discounts without a valid license or to exceed the maximum approved discount percentages.

Importance of Sales Licensing

Protecting consumers from misleading offers or fake discounts.


Strengthening customer trust in licensed brands and the credibility of announced discounts.


Supporting seasonal marketing strategies for businesses and legally increasing sales.


Enabling regulatory authorities to monitor the market and deter violations or price manipulation.


Providing accurate data on market discount activities to support commercial policies.


Enhancing competitiveness among establishments and encouraging creative promotions within regulations.



Challenges in Obtaining or Issuing Sales Licensing

Preparing accurate documentation to prove original product prices before discount periods and attaching them properly to the application.


Possible delays in obtaining licenses during peak seasons when many establishments apply simultaneously.


Strict compliance with the Ministry of Commerce’s discount percentage limits, which may reduce a merchant’s flexibility in setting alternative pricing offers.


Continuous monitoring by the ministry during discount periods, with immediate fines for price manipulation or exceeding legal discount rates.


The ongoing need to keep up with system updates and electronic platforms used for application submission and license display.