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.
IAM 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.