Kuwait

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport (picture and signature page)
• Packing list
• Delivery order from shipping line (sea freight)
• Civil ID copy for consignee
• Temporary import license
• ‘Itimad towkia’ copy from local sponsor company
• Work permit copy/ “Izanamal” (in Arabic)
• Valid Kuwaiti residence copy (stamped in passport)
• Company authorization letter from employer confirming employment (2 copies)
• Original bill of lading/ express release / seaway bill / air waybill (AWB)
• Temporary work entry visa / NOC copy (duly stamped by Kuwait Immigration upon arrival to Kuwait) (air freight)

 

Specific Information

• Consignee’s presence is mandatory during inbound shipments.
• The Kuwaiti residence copy must be a minimum of 12 months validity.
• Temporary import license may only be obtained after the following documents from above are available at destination at least 5 days prior to arrival of the shipment in Kuwait:
  • Delivery order from shipping line
  • Packing list
  • Company authorization letter (2 copies)
  • ‘Itimad towkia’ copy from local sponsor company
  • Passport copy
  • Work permit copy
  • Valid Kuwaiti residence copy
  • Civil ID copy
• Diplomats are permitted duty-free entry.
• There is a 5% Customs duty applicable on all non-diplomatic sea imports.
• Kuwaiti Customs will determine further charges depending on weight, volume, and type of HHG shipment.

Note: Contact destination agent for further details. 

 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Certificate of title / manufacturer certificate (issued from vehicle manufacturer office)
• Original commercial invoice
• Certificate of origin (new vehicles)
• NOC certificate issued from origin traffic department
• Vehicle GSO certificate (should provide from vehicle manufactures office - new vehicles)
• Certificate of import
• Proof of ownership
• Original bill of lading
• Mechanical certificate from origin stamped by the Public Port Authority in Kuwait

 

Specific Information

• Customs duties are charged at a rate of 5% on the value of the vehicle as estimated by Kuwait Customs in addition to bank charges.
• Motor vehicles older than 5 years cannot be imported.
• Only Kuwait nationals are allowed to import vehicles for personal use in their name.
  • A resident / expatriate is not allowed to import vehicles in their name.
• If a temporary import license is required by customs for auto import than a consignee must obtain it directly from the Ministry of Commerce in Kuwait.

 

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate

 

Specific Information

• Only certain animal species may be imported (cats, dogs, birds, etc.); contact the destination agent for specific information.

 

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Books, audio/video tapes, and music may be imported but are subject to censorship.
• Items manufactured by companies on the Israeli Boycott list will be confiscated.
• The inclusion of medicine and drugs for medicinal purposes will invariably cause delays in clearance.
  • A special release order from the Ministry of Health is required.
• Computer modems are subject to registration and an initial fee levied by the Ministry of Communication of approximately $400 USD and a renewable fee of $400 USD per year; this is not a Customs requirement but a requirement of the Ministry of Communication and is administered by the Department of Customs.
• Do not include new electronic items in shipments.

 

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol (including but not restricted to liquors, wine and beer) as well as alcohol producing kits/machinery
• Pork products
• “Walkie-Talkie” type radios
• Narcotics, drugs, stimulants
• Pornographic books, magazines and other media
• Weapons, including antique weapons, firearms and ammunition
• All materials and products connected with or manufactured by Israel
• Statues, art work and literature defined as offensive to Islamic teachings and principles

 

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.