Regulating the import, export, and
trade of nuclear materials, radioactive sources, and nuclear-related items is a
fundamental aspect of the NRRC's regulatory functions, as stipulated by
paragraph (3) of Article Three of the NRRC's Statute. Achieving this goal
requires developing a national control system. The importance of this system
lies in enhancing national security and addressing security threats. It also
plays a direct role in fulfilling the Kingdom's international obligations regarding
nuclear non-proliferation, including compliance with United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1540 and bilateral international agreements. Monitoring the
export and import of nuclear materials and related items is a core component of
the global non-proliferation framework.
This system includes arrangements
between the NRRC and customs authorities for the clearance of any restricted
items listed in the national control lists, prepared and licensed by the NRRC.
The second part of the national control system includes procedures and
technical measures at border checkpoints within the customs network to monitor
the illicit trafficking of these restricted items, including nuclear materials,
nuclear-related items, radioactive materials, and goods contaminated with
radioactive substances.
The system involves the following
tasks:
- Preparing and updating national lists of restricted
items for export and import that are subject to the NRRC's control and
monitoring.
- Linking the national restricted lists to the Harmonized
System (HS Code), in alignment with the guidelines of the World Customs
Organization (WCO) and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority.
- Developing a guide to identify nuclear-related items
under the NRRC's control to support customs inspections in detecting
illicit trafficking of restricted nuclear-related items.
- Updating national requirements for international
transport (import, export, or transit) and sharing them with relevant
authorities, such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation for air
transport, the General Authority for Ports, the Economic Cities and
Special Zones Authority, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu for
maritime transport, to ensure their adoption in organizing air and sea
navigation routes and to foster a mutual understanding.
Updating the National Lists of Restricted Items
in the Nuclear and Radiological Fields
Some items in the national
restricted lists for nuclear and radiological fields are periodically updated.
These items fall into two categories: the first includes restricted items that
require an import or export license issued by the NRRC, while the second
includes dual-use items, which have both nuclear and non-nuclear applications,
yet may also be used in non-peaceful nuclear activities, such as in the
production of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, importing, exporting, or
transiting these items requires a license issued upon notification from the
Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority to the NRRC.
Development of Procedures for Issuing Permits
for International Transport Allowing Transit of Nuclear and Radioactive
Materials
The NRRC has prepared the necessary
procedures and forms to evaluate and process applications for international
transport permits, allowing the shipment of nuclear and radioactive materials
to, from, or through the Kingdom's airspace and territorial waters. Relevant
national authorities, in line with established national arrangements, refer
these applications to the NRRC for review and permit issuance, ensuring
compliance with nuclear and radiological safety and security measures and
non-proliferation protocols. The requirements for transporting or receiving
nuclear materials, nuclear-related items, or radioactive sources by air or sea,
whether to, from, or through the Kingdom, have been outlined. These
requirements include detailed conditions for these items, established by the
NRRC and related national entities such as the General Authority of Civil
Aviation, the General Authority for Ports, the Economic Cities and Special
Zones Authority, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. The guidelines
align the NRRC’s systems with national regulations governing maritime and air
transport, taking into account the Kingdom's international commitments.
These requirements have been shared
with the relevant authorities, which have approved and disseminated them to
their respective departments, airline companies, and maritime agents. The
General Authority of Civil Aviation has also endorsed the national requirements
concerning the air transport of nuclear materials, radioactive substances, and
nuclear-related items. These requirements have been integrated into the
national aviation regulations (GACAR109) for hazardous materials and published
in the Saudi Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Development of the Guide for Identifying
Controlled Nuclear-Related Items
The NRRC is developing a
comprehensive guide to identify goods classified as nuclear-related items. This
guide serves as a tool to facilitate customs inspectors' tasks in recognizing
these items, given their diversity and complexity.
