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IMPORTING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS

ENTRY OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND

PERSONAL EFFECTS: All household goods imported into Kuwait

are dutiable. For all household goods thecurrent duty rate is 4% of the value, asdetermined by Kuwaiti customsauthorities.

Personal effects (wearing apparel andbooks) are not dutied, but are subject toopen inspection by customs authorities

Shippers presence during customsclearance is required and the shipper

must present his/her passport for customsauthorities at this time.

Normal customs clearance generallytakes 3 to 4 working days.

Books, literature, audio/video cassettes,records, and CDs will be held by customsfor approval by the Ministry of Information.

Prohibited items may be destroyed bycustoms without shippers consent

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS9 Two copies of shippers valid passport,

including information page and ResidencePermit page.

9 Itemized inventory of all video tapes,books, magazines, other printed matter,audio tapes, records, CDs, computersoftware, etc. The inventory must includethe name or title; name of author orperformer(s); and publisher ormanufacturer. The inventory must besubmitted to the Ministry of Information tobe censored; all questionable items willbe removed and possibly confiscated.

The cartons containing these items mustbe clearly marked and loaded for easyaccess.

9 The shipper must obtain the followingfrom his/her employer in Kuwait:9 Declaration of sponsorship9 Letter stating that the shipper is

moving to Kuwait in order to work forthe company.

9 Residence permit (Kiama)9 Work permits9 Temporary import license9 No Objection Certificate issued by the

Ministry of Interior9 Original and two legible copies of the

detailed inventory reflecting brand names,makes and/or models of appliances

9 Inventory with gross weight and numberof packages listed.

9 Original ocean bill of lading (OBL) or airwaybill (AWB)

9 Insurance certificate

DIPLOMATIC SHIPMENTS Kuwait customs has the right of inspection

but no duties apply if the Ministry ofForeign Affairs grants valid diplomaticprivileges. Consignee on OBL or AWBshould be the embassy name only.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR

DIPLOMATSAll documents should be clearly marked as

diplomatic to expedite obtaining theexemption from the Ministry of ForeignAffairs.9 Diplomatic clearance form obtained from

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwaiton applicable OBL or AWB.

9 Complete inventory in Arabic detailing allpackages in shipment with brand name ofelectrical/electronic items.

RESTRICTED/DUTIBALE ITEMS If new items and/or computers are

included in the shipment, then invoicesand certificates of origin are required withthe manufacturers name and address.

New furniture is subject to 4% duty on CIFvalue.

Importing Personal Property Into

KUWAIT

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RESTRICTED/ PROHIBITED ITEMS; IMPORTING MOTOR VEHICLES

Imported products which are locallymanufactured incur higher rates of dutyranging from 10 to 25%.

Special permission must be obtained fromthe Ministry of Telecommunications toimport computers, fax machines, radiotransmitters and wireless telephones.

Electrical devices in shipments will delaycustoms clearance and may require theapproval by the Ministry of CommercialIndustry.

Approval must be obtained from theMinistry of Health for medication andfoodstuff.

The Environmental Protection Agencymust approve of any pesticides,insecticides, paints and/or chemicalsincluded in shipments.

PROHIBITED ITEMSProhibited items will be confiscated and maybe destroyed. The shipper may also faceheavy fines and/or legal penalties. Pork and pork products Alcohol in any form including beverages

and products containing alcohol. Beer and wine-making kits Narcotics Tobacco Illicit drugs or associated paraphernalia

and narcotics. (This can include dried

poppy arrangements). Importing suchitems is a serious offense and punishableby long prison sentences.

Books, drawings, carvings and any otherarticles that will injure public security(political or military content) or morals(pornography).

Gambling devices Firearms, ammunition and explosives Weaponry or associated equipment,

including decorative swords and daggers.

Products related to the State of Israel,Zimbabwe or the Republic of SouthAfrica.

Materials or products of Israeli origin oritems included on the Israeli blacklist.

Religious articles affiliated with religionsother than Islam.

Any products made from ivory. Political and/or religious materials

(objects, images, written materials, etc.)that may be considered offensive to theKuwait government or Islamic faith.

IMPORTATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Only Kuwaiti nationals may importprivate motor vehicles.

Motor vehicles are subject to 4% dutycharge on estimated customs value.

Used vehicles must not be over 5 years

old. Shippers presence at customs clearance

is required.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MOTOR

VEHICLES9 Valid Kuwait residence permit9 Civil ID9 Registration certificate9 Insurance policy9 Invoice

IMPORTATION OF PETS Please note that the importation of pets is

discouraged due to the unfavorableclimate conditions and the prevailingcultural attitude. Pets may be imported ifaccompanied by the required documents.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS9 Rabies Vaccination Certificate9 Valid Health Certificate

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, 2005. Gulf Agency (Kuwait), 2002. 4moversww.com, April 2000. OMNI, http://www.omnimoving.com/frameset_about.html , October 1999.

The information presented herein his based on customs data available at the time of printing and isfrequently subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the owner or importer of thehousehold goods to comply with the current customs restrictions, regulations, and duties of thecountry to which the goods are imported. We strongly advise customers to contact the consulate orembassy of the destination country for the most current information on customs regulations,restrictions and duties for importing household goods, personal effects and vehicles.