Please be advised that, in accordance with the regulatory requirements established by the Kuwait port authorities, all imports of foodstuffs into Kuwait are mandated to possess a valid health certification.
The health certificate must be issued before the shipment departs from the country of origin.
This requirement is enforced by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), Kuwait and referenced in Ministerial Resolution No. 6 of 2023.
The certificate must confirm that the food is safe, suitable for human consumption, and complies with Kuwait’s standards.
Additionally, a related regulation from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Kuwait highlights that:
The health certificate must be issued before the production date of the goods.
While this applies primarily to phytosanitary certificates, it reflects Kuwait’s strict stance on documentation timing.
Failing to meet this timing requirement can result in:
Rejection of the shipment at the port.
Delays in customs clearance.
Potential penalties or re-exportation costs.
These measures are mandatory and must be strictly followed to ensure compliance with Kuwait’s import regulations and to avoid any delays, penalties, or rejections at destination.
For any clarification, please contact our Kuwait office.
Thanks & Best Regards, Smart Logistic Shipping Co. WLL, Kuwait As Agents for Emirates Shipping Line
Please be informed, in addition to the Detention charges, we will start applying separate Demurrage charges upon expiry of the free time offered. Upcoming change to the quantum of the Demurrage and Detention tariff for shipments from Kuwait. The revised tariff will take effect on May 1st, 2025, based on the actual departure date of the cargo.
−All days are calendar days or running days. (i.e. including weekends and public holidays) −Port storage will be collected separately as per port tariff. We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please be informed of the upcoming change to the quantum of the Detention and Demurrage tariff for shipments to Kuwait. The revised tariff will take effect on May 1st, 2025, based on the actual arrival date of the cargo.
−All days are calendar days or running days. (i.e. including weekends and public holidays)
We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please be informed that Kuwait Customs has implemented new regulation of CARGO ON PALLET with effective from 01 August 2024.
Below is the rough translation of rule for your easy reference. Please ensure to strictly comply with the Kuwait customs requirement for smooth export and import formalities. Any consequences of incompliance will be on customers’ account.
Rough translation of Kuwait Customs’ new requirement:
Recently, it has been observed that many consignments arrive without adhering to the security and safety conditions stipulated in Customs Instructions No. 95 of 2017, as many of the cargoes are arriving loose. Therefore, the regulations are not observed as stated, i.e. the goods are packed randomly and unpalletized, which makes their handling difficult. In addition to the consequences, it entails delays and occupying a large space of yards, in addition to the exposure of the goods to damage during their inspection. This is thereby leading to difficulty of the process of extracting, inspecting, and returning these random goods, which has a negative impact on the integrity of the inspection and obstructs the employees of the Customs Administration from carrying out their duties and exercising their right to inspect, audit and inspect in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Hence for security purpose, Kuwait port authority has decided the following:
Item (1) –
All cargoes to be carefully and neatly palletized.
If cargo found NONE palletized upon custom inspection, the container/cargo will be stopped by customs.
Customs will issue a memo of penalizing of KD 80/- to the customer directly.
Only when the penalty of KD 80/- is paid, the container/cargo will be released by customs.
Item (2) –
Some goods are excluded from the conditions mentioned in item (1) above, which cannot be placed on pallet because of its own nature i.e., which weighs more than 2 tons or more than 2 meters in length, cargoes included but not limited to: (Pipes -heavy equipment – Cars and Vehicles – used car parts – animals and livestock – Steel -iron scrap – Prefabricated houses).
Item (3) –
In the event of non-compliance and violation of the provisions of Article (1), a fine of KD.80 shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of Article (31) of the Implementing Regulations items (3-6).
Item (4) –
If repeated violation and non-compliance with what was stated in Item 1, a fine of KD 400 – shall be imposed in accordance with the text of Article (30) of the Executive Regulations, Clause (11), where non-compliance with the conditions contained in Clause (11) shall be considered “First” i.e., Obstructing Customs Administration employees from carrying out their duties and exercising their right to inspect, audit.
Additional remark – Number of Pallets should be manifested. Therefore, managers are requested to inform and instruct their specialists to adhere to the above.
Issued on 24 Jul 2024 Director General of the General Administration of Customs
