IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids is just one of the many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in their new environment. Managing the whole process alone can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination, and are committed to making this possible.

Foreigners, moving to Kuwait, other than diplomats need to provide the following documents for import customs clearance:

• Consignee’s copy of passport and Kuwait visa copy (original passport is required when consignee is present for customs clearance)
• Residence permit
• Copy of inventory
• Original shipping document
• Authorization letter to clear shipments (Move One will obtain from the shipper upon arrival in Kuwait)
• Statistical Declaration (for all shipments originating from a G.C.C. country)

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Returning citiznes of Kuwait need to provide the following documents for import customs clearance:

• Consignee’s Kuwait Civil ID copy (original is required when consignee is present for customs clearance)
• Copy of inventory
• Original shipping document
• Authorization letter to clear shipments (Move One will obtain from the shipper upon arrival in Kuwait)
• Statistical Declaration (for all shipments originating from a G.C.C. country)

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Diplomats need to provide the following documents for import customs clearance:

• Consignee’s copy of passport and Kuwait visa copy or diplomatic card (original passport is required when consignee is present for customs clearance)
• Residence permit
• Copy of inventory
• Original shipping document
• Authorization letter to clear shipments (Move One will obtain from the shipper upon arrival in Kuwait)
• Statistical Declaration (for all shipments originating from a G.C.C. Country)
• Exemption certificate from Ministry of Foreign Affairs

All diplomatic shipments must be clearly marked as “Diplomatic Shipment” on all documents and boxes so that duty exemption can be obtained from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Notes

The inventory must be translated into Arabic. Same is attached to the delivery order, customs manifest, consignee’s civil ID/passport and visa copy and is submitted to customs for evaluation. Customs evaluates goods based on which duty if applicable is determined. Once this is complete, the customs documentation is processed and is submitted to customs for scrutiny along with the duty receipt. Once document is approved by customs goods are picked up for inspection. Once inspection is complete goods are released by customs & delivery can be arranged to the customer.

Consignee’s presence is required for customs clearance, from which the clearance of air shipments might be an exception. Normally, consignee’s presence at the airport is not required for air freight shipments, but it may be requested by customs in case any clarifications are required.

For sea consignments consignee’s presence is required during customs inspection. This may involve wasting a whole day at the inspection bay while consignment is examined physically. There are 2 sea ports in Kuwait, Shuwaikh & Shuaiba. Shuwaikh is in close proximity to the city, while Shuaiba is approximately 65 km away from the city. We however, recommend using Shuaiba Port for your VIP clients as consignee’s presence at the port during inspection is not always required.

For overland shipments arriving at Sulaibiya customs, client is required to be present in person in order to collect the customs manifest. Their presence is however not required during customs inspection.

Personal effects are subject to open inspection by customs authorities and original passport is required when consignee is present for clearance.
Duty free entry is allowed only for a total C&F value not exceeding 1000 USD on value of shipment as estimated by customs. Customs duty is at present 5% of the value estimated by customs on all household goods and motor vehicles.

There is no duty free import for personal effects shipment. However customs will valuate cargo and will levy 5% duty.
Customs clearance normally takes 3 to 4 working days for sea freight and 1 to 2 days for air and overland shipments.

Books, literature, audio/video cassettes, records, CD’s etc. are all detained by customs for screening and will be released to consignee only after approval by the Ministry of Information.

Voltage in Kuwait is 220V/50 cycle.

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• All pornographic literature, videos, films and pictures (including simple nudity of all kinds).
• Alcoholic beverages (including fine wines)
• All narcotics and drugs – importation of any narcotics (including seemingly innocent dried poppy flower arrangements) can lead to very severe legal action and even long prison terms
• Wireless transmitters/receivers
• Firearms ammunition, explosives and any weapons (including decorative items such as swords and daggers)
• Products of israeli origin or manufacture
• Political and religious literature which might be deemed as offensive to the Kuwait government or to the Islamic faith
• Any items made out of ivory
• Any products from pork meat

Medicines and medical drugs are allowed in reasonable quantities, but subject to analysis. Please avoid any food stuff and perishables in the consignment, as foodstuff invites additional Ministry approvals to be carried out from the relevant department. These would incur additional costs and will delay the clearance process.

Other items such as normal household electronics, electrical appliances, computer, satellite receiver can be imported. These items sometimes require approvals to be obtained from the relevant regulating authority which can lengthen clearance process by a day or two.

Any prohibited items found in the shipment will be confiscated with inclusive of fines/penalties. Prohibited articles detained by customs may be destroyed without consignee’s consent.

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Import of vehicles is permitted provided the model of the motor vehicle is under 5 years old from the current years model. Moreover, a valid residence permit of Kuwait in the name of the individual is a must or else it should be imported in the name of consignee’s company who should have an import permit. If the vehicle is imported in the name of consignee’s company the registration can at a later date be transferred in the name of the individual once he/she obtains permanent residency.
Customs duty of 5% of motor vehicle’s value assessed by customs in Kuwait will be applicable, unless the shipper is a diplomat.

Documents required for customs clearance are:

• Consignee’s Kuwait Civil ID copy / Consignee’s copy of passport and Kuwait visa copy / Diplomatic card (original identification document is required when consignee is present for customs clearance)
• Residence permit (for foreigners)
• Original shipping document, indicating the year of manifacture, year of model, name of the vehicle, engine nr., chassis nr. and colour
• Certificate of title
• Manufacturer’s invoice
• Registration certificate
• Insurance policy
• Conformity certificate – further information on products requiring certification and the testing centers around the world can be obtained from the website: www.pai-iccp.com or directly from the following links: http://www.pai-ccp.com/products.html and http://www.pai-iccp.com/offices.html. Cerrtification for conformity can be obtained in Kuwait but the process would incur additional charges and would involve additional time
• Temporary import licence – it is issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for both citizens and residents of Kuwait. Non residents can obtain a temporary import permit by producing a letter from their local sponsor stating that the consignee is an employee and all items imported are for his/her personal use and not for resale. Consignee will be required to be at the Ministry in person in order to obtain a temporary import permit
• Authorization letter to clear shipments (Move One will obtain from the shipper)
• Statistical Declaration (for all shipments originating from a G.C.C. Country)
• Exemption certificate from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for diplomats)

Notes

Consignee’s presence is required for customs clearance and original identification document (indicated above) is required to be shown.
Customs clearance normally takes 3 to 4 working days.
In case vehicle is over five years old special permission from the Ministry of Commerce is required prior to shipment.
All diplomatic shipments must be clearly marked as “Diplomatic Shipment” on all documents so that duty exemption can be obtained from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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If carpets, paintings, musical instruments, art effects and antiques are part of the household goods shipment and are being imported in the country in reasonable quantity, they all are accepted. Huge quantity of these items in the shipment might be considered as import for commercial purpose and the shipment will not be treated as normal household goods.

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Alcohol products are strictly prohibited to be imported to Kuwait.
Limited quantities of tobacco products are allowed to be included in a household goods shipment (there are no exact allowances determined).

Rifles
Import of rifles and all types of weapons to Kuwait is not allowed unless permission from Ministry of Interior is obtained in advance.

Stuffed animals
Being part of a personal effects shipment stuffed animals are allowed to be imported to Kuwait in a reasonable quantity. Apart from the documentation requirements for import of normal household goods for stuffed animals the followings are needed as well for customs clearance:

• Health certificate issued at origin
• Approval from Ministry of Health in Kuwait

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EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Regulations, charges or restrictions may apply to household goods exports as they leave Kuwait and when they arrive at their destination country. Specialists at Move One Relocations are experts in local rules and industry regulations and will handle your transaction on both sides. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition as your foreign assignment in Kuwait is coming to an end, and are committed to making this possible.

For export customs clearance the same documents are requested as for the import.

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• All pornographic literature, videos, films and pictures (including simple nudity of all kinds)
• Alcoholic beverages (including fine wines)
• All narcotics and drugs
• Wireless transmitters/receivers
• Firearms ammunition, explosives and any weapons (including decorative items such as swords and daggers)
• Products of Israeli origin or manufacture
• Political and religious literature which might be deemed as offensive to the Kuwait government or to the Islamic faith
• Any items made out of ivory
• Any products from pork meat

Medicines and medical drugs are allowed in reasonable quantities, but subject to analysis.

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For export customs clearance of vehicles we will need the same documents requested as for the import, also a cerificate from Traffic Department should be obtained and approved by customs.

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If carpets, paintings, musical instruments, art effects and antiques are part of the household goods shipment and are being exported from the country in reasonable quantity, they all are accepted. Huge quantity of these items in the shipment might be considered as export for commercial purpose and the shipment will not be treated as normal household goods.

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Rifles
Export of rifles and all types of weapons from Kuwait is not allowed unless permission from Ministry of Interior is obtained in advance.

Stuffed animals
Being part of a personal effects shipment stuffed animals are allowed to be exported from Kuwait in a reasonable quantity. Apart from the documentation requirements for export of normal household goods, for stuffed animals the followings are needed as well for customs clerance:

• Health certificate issued at origin
• Approval from Ministry of Health in Kuwait

Before exporting rifles, stuffed animals, etc. from Kuwait please check the customs regulations in the destination country as they might not allow import of these items.

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Alcohol products are strictly prohibited to be exported from Kuwait. Limited quantities of tobacco products are allowed to be included in a household goods shipment (there are no exact allowances determined), but before departure please check the customs regulations in the destination country as they might not allow import of these items.

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