🇯🇴 Jordan

Jordan — regulatory context

Commercial agency law

Commercial Agencies Law No. 27 of 2004 (amended 2022). Mandatory indemnity up to 1 year's gross profit for unilateral termination without cause after 5+ years (Article 32). Registration with Ministry of Industry, Trade & Supply (MoITS) within 3 months (Article 5). Unregistered agency agreements are unenforceable.

Vet drug authority

JFDA — Jordan Food & Drug Administration, Veterinary Department. Submit dossier via JFDA portal; formulation, stability, trials, GMP certificate. Fees ~JOD 125 per category. Free Sale Certificate + import permit required. Timeline: 6-9 months.

FX rules

Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) — full repatriation allowed post-customs; purpose code (e.g., "pharma import") required. No major delays if documentation is complete.

Multi-distributor permissibility

YES Jordan's Commercial Agencies Regulation No. 50 of 2002 (with 2026 Investment Regulation amendments) does not require single/exclusive registration per product line; multiple distributors permitted, subject to Competition Law No. 33/2004 anti-abuse rules. Exclusivity is contractual, not statutory.

Voidance risks

• Language law: Arabic mandatory for state-court enforceability; foreign-language contracts require certified Arabic translation.
• Stamp duty (CRITICAL): Stamp Duty Law No. 14/2023 — 0.5-1% within 30 days of execution; late-stamping incurs doubling/penalty AND risk of NULLITY. Jordan has one of MENA's strictest stamp regimes.
• Commercial registry filing: MoITS registration within 3 months (Article 5 of CA Law 27/2004); unregistered agencies unenforceable.
• Article 32 indemnity: Unilateral termination without cause after 5 years triggers up to 1 year's gross profit indemnity — overrides contract.
• Formalities: Apostille required for foreign documents; Jordan is Hague Apostille Convention member.

JAPFA recommendation

Structure as distributor (own-account) to avoid Article 32 indemnity. If structured as agent, budget for 1 year's gross profit indemnity on termination after 5 years. Pay stamp duty within 30 days.