Country Guide: Kuwait
Updated: November 30, 2015
Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of Passport
- Detailed inventory
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Copy of Air Waybill (AWB)
- Visa with Entry Stamp (foreigners)
- Kuwait Civil ID (returning citizens)
- Certificate of Origin showing complete name and address of manufacturer (applies to new items)
- Copy of Identification Card issued by Embassy (Diplomats)
- Exemption Certificate from Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)
- Commercial Invoice, if applicable
Specific Information
- The Certificate of Origin and the Commercial Invoice must be stamped by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce.
- On items deemed “commercial” by Kuwaiti Customs, a Customs duty of 5% will be charged on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of all items.
- Diplomats are permitted duty-free entry.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Certificate of import
- Proof of ownership
- Mechanical certificate from origin stamped by the Public Port Authority in Kuwait.
- OBL
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 residents are permitted to import vehicles.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination Record
- Veterinary Health Certificate
Specific Information
- Only certain animal specifies 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
- Pornographic books, magazines and other media
- “Walkie-Talkie” type radios
- Narcotics, drugs, stimulants
- Weapons, including antique weapons, firearms and ammunition
- All materials and products connected with or manufactured by Israel
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
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