Verifying an online store in Saudi Arabia: commercial registration, the Business Platform and what you need
In short: to sell online legally in Saudi Arabia, you need a commercial registration that covers e-commerce, or to verify your store through the Business Platform (which replaced the “Maroof” platform for verification). The E-Commerce Law requires you to show your store’s details clearly, to tell customers the prices, terms, payment, delivery and returns before purchase, and to protect their data. Prepare your policy pages before launch.
Many store owners put off the legal side “until we start selling”. But verification and clear policies aren’t just paperwork; they’re part of customer trust, and many payment gateways, couriers and store platforms require them. Here is a practical summary of what you need.
Commercial registration or verification
You usually have two routes:
- A commercial registration that includes e-commerce activity, for establishments and companies.
- Verifying the store through the Business Platform run by the Saudi Business Center, the current replacement for the former “Maroof” platform, as Salla’s help centre explains in its article on verifying your store on the Business Platform instead of Maroof.
The right route depends on your legal status (individual, establishment or company) and the size of your business. Store platforms such as Salla and Zid explain the steps to link verification inside their dashboards.
What does the E-Commerce Law require?
The E-Commerce Law governs the relationship between the store and the consumer. Among its main requirements, in general terms:
- A clear store identity: name, registration details, contact methods and address.
- Transparency before purchase: the full price, delivery costs, contract terms, payment methods, delivery time, and the cancellation and returns policy.
- An invoice setting out the details of the transaction.
- Protection of customers’ personal data, and not using it beyond the permitted purpose.
- Honest advertising that doesn’t mislead the consumer.
Refer to the official text for exact details and time limits; this summary doesn’t replace it.
Pages your store must have
- About us and contact: real details and contact methods that work.
- Returns and exchange policy: the period, the conditions, who pays for shipping, and how refunds are made.
- Shipping and delivery policy: regions, times and costs.
- Privacy policy: what data you collect, why, and who sees it (including tracking and ad tools), in line with the Personal Data Protection Law.
- Terms and conditions.
VAT and invoicing
If you’re registered for VAT, your prices and invoices have requirements, and e-invoicing may apply to you. Details in E-invoicing and VAT for online stores.
Why does this matter for your sales?
Among the reasons for cart abandonment recorded by the Baymard Institute is not trusting the site with card details (19% of those who abandoned during checkout). A verification badge, clear contact details and an understandable returns policy all reduce that hesitation.
A quick pre-launch checklist
- Registration or verification ready and linked to the store.
- Store details visible in the footer and on the contact page.
- The five policy pages complete and in plain language.
- Prices include VAT if you’re registered, and shipping cost appears before checkout.
- Customer consent to marketing messages is separate and clear.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell online without a commercial registration?
There are verification routes for individuals through the Business Platform, but the conditions depend on your situation and type of business. Check the Business Platform or your store platform before you start.
Does the “Maroof” platform still work?
Store verification through the Business Platform has replaced Maroof. If your store was verified on Maroof before, review the steps to move to the new verification.
Do I need a lawyer to write the policies?
For small stores, the platforms’ templates are a good starting point once adapted to your store’s reality. For larger or sensitive businesses, a specialist review is worthwhile.
Note: this article is a general summary, not legal advice.
The bottom line
Verification and clear policies protect you legally and raise customer trust. Prepare them before launch, not after. If you want someone to prepare your whole store, with its pages, verification and integrations, have a look at our online store service.
