Are Auctions for Selling Archaeological Artifacts Held in the Kingdom?

Yes, auctions for selling archaeological artifacts are held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a license from the Heritage Commission, according to the executive regulations for antiquities and urban heritage issued on February 25, 2022. Article Sixty-Seven of the regulations states that no natural or legal person may engage in the trade of movable antiquities or hold an auction for the sale of movable antiquities without obtaining a license.

The third chapter of the regulations is dedicated to detailing auctions for the sale of movable antiquities through three articles (sixty-eight, sixty-nine, seventy). Article Sixty-Eight indicates that the Heritage Commission, in agreement with the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom, will establish a procedural guide for licenses. This guide will specify the activities involved in holding auctions for the sale of movable antiquities, the financial compensation, and the procedures for obtaining licenses and approvals, along with the terms, conditions, obligations, and rights of the licensee. The guide will be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission for recommendation and approval by the ministry.

Article Sixty-Nine requires that any individual licensed to organize auctions for the sale of movable antiquities and intending to organize an auction must inform the Heritage Commission at least sixty days before the auction date. The regulations require the attachment of four documents: a copy of the license, a copy of the licensee's identification or commercial registration, a copy of the ownership or lease contract of the auction site, or approval from the site owner or beneficiary to hold the auction there, and a statement of the movable antiquities to be auctioned, including their pictures and ownership documents.

Article Seventy emphasizes that the movable antiquities requested to be auctioned must be owned by the licensee or by any individuals who are offering their items in the auction through the licensee. This must be in accordance with the provisions of the law and international agreements related to the trade of cultural heritage to which the Kingdom is a party.

Article Seventy-Four includes the obligation for the owner of a registered movable antiquity listed in the Antiquities Register as national heritage, who wishes to trade it by any means, to first offer the antiquity to the Heritage Commission if they intend to sell it.