Shipping Household Goods from USA to Kuwait
Moving to another country like Kuwait can be challenging especially when you need to ship out your household goods and personal effects. However, you can make it all easier and more efficient if you get to know the prevailing customs regulations in Kuwait before you decide which of your personal belongings you want to bring with you to Kuwait. For all you know, it would be more practical to bring some of them with you than buy new household goods in Kuwait. But then again, it could also be cheaper to just leave them considering the hassle of transporting them. But you wouldn’t know this unless you check out the customs regulations in Kuwait.
The major shipping ports in Kuwait are the ports of Shuhaiba and Shuwaikh so expect your shipment to arrive in any of these ports. You can avail of the duty free importation of your personal effects such as books and clothing provided they are sent through air shipment. However, the goods would only be cleared by customs if you are present during the clearance process and you can present your original passport.
The shipment of old or new household goods to Kuwait would be subjected to a five percent Cost, Insurance and Freight or CIF value. All shipment documents must be directly consigned under your name as all of them will be inspected. If your household goods shipment includes electronic equipment then expect some delay in the Customs Department as these items will have to be approved by the Ministry of Commercial Industry. Also take into consideration the closure of Kuwait’s Customs Authority during Thursdays and Fridays as these are their scheduled weekend.
Necessary Documents
To make sure that your shipment of household goods and personal effects to Kuwait is made efficiently, prepare all the necessary documents including: your original passport and two copies of the Residence Permit page and the information page, your Kiama or Residence Permit, Visa, Kuwait ID Card or Civil ID, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, a “No Objection Certificate” issued by the Ministry of the Interior, a comprehensive inventory of all items including their model and brand and an inventory in Arabic which shows the number of boxes in the shipment and their gross weight.
You will also need a Power of Attorney in Arabic which will give your Destination Agent the authority to arrange customs clearance, a Letter from your Employer which will attest the purpose of your stay in Kuwait and a Declaration of Employer written on a paper with the company letterhead confirming your employment.
Diplomatic Status
If you are entering Kuwait on a Diplomat Status then you can ship your household goods and personal effects under a tax and duty free status whether they are new or used. However, the shipment must come with a document stating that all are being sent under a Diplomatic shipment.
If you’re shipping goods under a Diplomat Status then be ready with the necessary documents including an Exemption Certificate issued by the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your Diplomatic Passport or an Embassy-issued Identity Card, Comprehensive inventory of the items in Arabic and the AWB or Bill of Lading.
To make sure that you get some of the duty free benefits granted by the Kuwait Customs, make sure you pack your clothing and books exclusively in one shipment or one box as these are allowed duty free entry.
It is important to have your inventory of items translated in Arabic for a more efficient and fast processing with the Customs Authority. All the important documents are then submitted to the Customs for evaluation as to what duty is applicable. When Customs has approved the documents and inspected the goods then they are released to you or your agent and are delivered to you accordingly.