Import Regulations - Kuwait

Documentary requirements
One original of commercial invoice and its two copies are required. The following details must be indicated in commercial invoice:
• country of origin;
• names and addresses of manufacturer, shipper and consignee;
• full description of goods;
• marks and numbers;
• net and gross weights in metric quantities;
• name of transporting vessel;
• unit and total value.

Invoices should be certified by an authorised chamber of commerce and legalised by an Arab consulate or embassy.

A certificate of origin is required and must be certified by an approved authority. A minimum of three copies is required.

Basic information must be provided on the packing list submitted to customs:
• description of the kind and type of contents;
• marks and number;
• invoice number;
• gross weight of total cargo;
• total units and gross/net weight of each type;
• statistical code of the goods (available in Harmonic System code);
• packing type of each type;
• total package of each type.

There are no special requirements to bill of lading. It must also indicate whether the freight is pre-paid or payable. 2 originals are required.

Product certificates, packing and labelling
Animals and animal products must be accompanied by health certificates issued by the competent authorities in Australia. A certificate stating that the food does not contain any form of cyclamate compound is required when registering food products. Consignments of meat and meat products must be accompanied by an original slaughter certificate issued by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

All goods imported into Kuwait must be clearly labelled with the country of origin. An Arabic language label has to be on all foodstuffs exported from Australia. Outer packaging must contain a description of the product in Arabic (other languages, used in addition are also permitted).

Food labelling must include the following details:
• the name of the food;
• country of origin;
• the date of manufacture/production;
• the contents, ie. ingredients in descending order of either weight or volume;
• net and gross weights;
• the expiry date.