Customs
Asia
Kuwait Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
500 cigs
Tobacco allowance
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Import Regulations
- 500 cigarettes or
- 2 pounds of tobacco products
- Reasonable amount of perfume
- Essential medicines
- Industrial farm products from other GCC states
- Illegal or unlicensed drugs
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Alcoholic products
- Plant and plant products
- Pork, Meat and meat products
- Pets – unless authorised to do so
- Birds – unless from certain countries
- Unsealed milk products and mineral water
- Fresh vegetables
- Food prepared abroad
- Animals from Iraq
- All goods from Israel
- Politically subversive material
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- A special permit from the Kuwait Ministry of the Interior will be needed in order to legally import any weapons or ammunition into the country.
- All alcoholic beverages and associated materials for the construction of alcoholic drinks are denied entry into the country.
- All beef, pigs, pork, pork and pigskin products (such as handbags, wallets and shoes) are banned from entering the country from England and The Republic of Ireland.
- Jewels, precious stones and metals may only be imported subject to approval by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Authority must be obtained from the Ministry of Health for drugs and medicines
- Cats, dogs and other animals being imported into the country will require a Veterinarian health certificate and permission from the General Directorate for Agricultural and Sea Wealth. All species of birds are banned from entry unless originating from Albania, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palestine, Thailand, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. No animals from Iraq are permitted entry into the country.
Export Regulations
- No information available
- Illegal or unlicensed drugs
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Alcoholic products
- Plant and plant products
- Pork, Meat and meat products
- Pets – unless authorised to do so
- Birds – unless from certain countries
- Unsealed milk products and mineral water
- Fresh vegetables
- Food prepared abroad
- Animals from Iraq
- All goods from Israel
- Politically subversive material
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- No information available
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to Kuwait
Basic security information for travelers to Kuwait
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Kuwait
- Although most local water is chlorinated and relatively safe, travellers are advised to stick to bottled water for the duration of their visit where possible. Unpasteurised milk and dairy products should be avoided. All meat, fish and vegetables should be well cooked and served boiling hot whilst fruit should be peeled prior to consumption. Food and drink served from vendors should be avoided for safety reasons.
- Food and water based diseases are present throughout the country. All travellers to the region should first obtain vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Polio and should avoid swimming in any pools, lakes or other native water sources which could be contaminated.
- Cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis have been reported close to the Iraqi border and in other remote sections of the country and all travellers visiting Kuwait should wear close clothing that exposes little skin and should obtain plenty of insect repellent for defence. Visitors who develop lesions on their skin have been infected and should immediately seek out medical assistance before their condition deteriorates. Rare cases of Tick- borne relapsing fever have also been reported inside the country.
- Blood related diseases including HIV and Hepatitis B are present and all travellers to the country should exercise great care when dealing with bloody or dirty needles or when engaging in sexual activity during their visit.
- Travellers to the country are advised against any contact with wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek out medical assistance to check for any signs of infection.
- A predominately hot and arid environment, all visitors to the country should obtain plenty of sunscreen and bottled water for protection and should take bring an emergency medical kit in the event of an emergency.
- The medical facilities inside the country are considered to be improving but still quite limited in most rural areas and specific medicines may be hard or expensive to find. Travellers requiring assistance should head to either the New Mowasat Hospital or the Al Salam Hospital. Both of these facilities are privately owned and will likely request upfront payment for any services rendered. Any visitor to the country should obtain complete health and travel insurance prior to beginning their journey and an emergency air evacuation to a nearby country might be required in the event of a serious accident or illness.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Kuwait
- Owing to the current political turmoil throughout the entire Middle East area, all travellers to the region are strongly advised to check the local news channels for any radical political upheavals or demonstrations which might be occurring inside the country.
- There is a slightly greater than average threat from international terrorism inside this country. Multiple threats have been made against Western military and business interests throughout the country and all travellers to the region should stay alert when visiting all tourist or business locations.
- Although incidents of theft and violent crime aimed specifically at foreigners is relatively minor, all visitors to the country are still advised to keep their passport and other valuable items in a safe and secure location for the duration of their visit and should avoid any obvious displays of wealth which could serve to attract unwanted attention. Women in particular should avoid walking alone after dark throughout any part of the country and all visitors should stick to public and well lit areas during their visit.
- A small number of recent demonstrations have taken place in Kuwait City, Jahra and Ahmadi since the start of the year and more are likely. The political situation inside the Middle East region is continually evolving and could change at any time. All travellers to the region are strongly advised to avoid any large protests or demonstrations which could quickly turn violent and should not behave in a manner which will serve to attract the attention of the police or the security services.
- An International Driving licence will be required if planning on driving throughout the country. Although the roads are considered to be in a relatively good condition, locals may often drive at a speed and manner which could come has a shock to some. Drivers should also be wary of the intense heat which could make dehydration a danger and should make sure that all roads being driven down are still passable before beginning their journey. There is a serious danger from unexploded landmines and other deadly ordinance throughout the country and all travellers should take extra care if leaving the main roads and should immediately call the authorities if encountering any unknown and potentially dangerous objects.
- Travellers planning on crossing the borders into Iraq or Saudi Arabia should make sure that they have obtained the correct paperwork and should obey all instructions issued by the relevant border officials. Copies of your passport should be kept with you at all times in the event of an emergency.
- Kuwait has a Muslim dominated society and all travellers are instructed to respect all local traditions and beliefs whilst inside the country. Female travellers should avoid revealing clothing at all times and intimate displays of affection in public may be frowned upon. Co-habiting of unmarried partners in Kuwait is illegal and could lead to the offenders being arrested or heavily fined. Travellers visiting during the holy month of Ramadan should try to avoid any smoking eating or drinking in public throughout the day and all alcohol is expressly forbidden inside the country.
- Photos of important government, military and religious sites are banned and can be legally removed by the security services. Pictures taken of local everyday inhabitants may cause unease and permission should always be requested beforehand out of common decency. Strongly held religious or political views should be discussed with great care whilst in public.
- Homosexuality is illegal throughout Kuwait and all same sex couples should exercise great caution if choosing to visit this country.
Contact Information
For further assistance please contact the Kuwaiti Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.
Telephone
+96524955575
Official Website