The Ministry of Commerce has announced that used cars are classified as prohibited or restricted items for import into the Kingdom, effective from December 10, 2019. It specifies that used passenger cars intended for personal use are prohibited from import to prevent environmental pollution and ensure road safety, as well as to address issues related to evasion of control measures and streamline processes to facilitate the public in accordance with government policy.

Used cars have been subject to import control measures by the Ministry of Commerce since 1953, requiring import permits that cover used cars under customs tariff codes 87.01, 87.02, 87.03, 87.04, and 87.05, which include nine types of used cars:
 

However, those wishing to import used cars under customs tariff code 87.01 (excluding tractor units), 87.02, 87.03 (excluding ambulances), 87.04, and vintage cars under customs tariff code 97.06, must do so by December 9, 2019, under the previous announcement and regulations.
 
     For import permit applications, if all supporting documents are complete, the department will take no more than 25 days to process the permit. A permit must be obtained before bringing goods into the Kingdom, and the import permit will be valid only until December 9, 2019. Violations involving the import of prohibited goods will be subject to penalties under the Export and Import Act of 1979, and the Customs Department will proceed to destroy the prohibited goods as mentioned.

Used cars that have been granted permission for temporary import into the Kingdom or imported for refurbishment and re-export before the Ministry's announcement in 2019 must comply with the specified conditions until they fulfill their legal obligations.