Kuwait Humanitarian Background

For more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters:

http://www.emdat.be/country-profile

For information on the invasion of Kuwait, please select the following document:

Kuwait Humanitarian Background Additional Information

Calamities and Seasonal Affects

Customs: Storage and Handling process is subject to change as per the calamities and seasonal affects through which the goods can be released from customs premises based on declared guarantees by customs managing director

Local business and government operations can be affected by local holidays, most of which are based on the Islamic calendar.

Please note that government offices typically operate from 9:00-14:00 daily, from Sunday-Thursday. Weekends are Friday and Saturday.

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

Government

The Emir of Kuwait is the sponsor of the local Red Crescent Society, and most international charity work is organized under the auspices of the KRCS. Logistics Cluster partners should plan on coordinating with the KRCS for availability of services, including support and information for allowing duty free goods permissions.

There are a limited number of NGO’s registered in Kuwait, so individual humanitarian agencies should also consider coordination with the KRCS and other local charities in order to ensure customs documentation and other process requirements are met. All International Humanitarian organizations need to liaise with MoFA.

During Iraq War 2003, the Kuwait Government run the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC) coordinating all humanitarian cargo to Iraq with specific procedures for UN agencies and NGOs. HOC is currently not operational, but MoFA is the initial contact regarding HOC.

The Arab Humanitarian Portal: Website of Arabhum

4.1 Kuwait Government Contact List

Kuwait Regulatory Narrative

For a list of National Regulatory Departments of Kuwait, please select the following Contact List:

4.1 Kuwait Government Contact List

Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC)

The KGAC is an independent administrative unit under the authority of the Ministry of Finance. The main task of Kuwait Customs is to control the movement or consignments across the borders and ensure compliance with law.

All cargo arriving in Kuwait is subject to customs control and cannot be released for consumption without Customs and Border permission. All those involved in the life cycle of shipment are required by law to provide the customs and boarder authorities with a variety of information and documents prior to, at, and following the arrival or departure of mean of transport. Website of the Kuwait General Administration of Customs

Kuwait Customs Information

Duties and Tax Exemption

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 

4.1 Kuwait Government Contact List

Emergency Response:

[Note: This section contains information which is related and applicable to ‘crisis’ times. These instruments can be applied when an emergency is officially declared by the Government.  When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax free.]

In the following table, state which of the following agreements and conventions apply to the country and if there are any other existing ones

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is a regional organisation consisting of six Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The GCC was created in May 1981. Its main objectives are to enhance coordination, integration and inter-connection among its Member States in different spheres. All the GCC member states are also members of the Arab League and Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are the prominent members of OPEC. For more information on the GCC, see: Website of the European Union on the GCC and: Website of the GCC

For additional information on emergency response, please select the following document:

Kuwait Customs Information Additional Information

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response): 

[Note: This section should contain information on the usual duties & taxes exemption regime during non-emergency times, when there is no declared state of emergency and no streamlines process (e.g. regular importations/development/etc.).]

National legislation
All humanitarian goods are exempted from duties and taxes and should only be used for approved purpose.
References
Kuwait Customs Law , Article # 104

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure: 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

• Transit procedure is in place for Land and Sea freight.
• Transit of Air freight is very rare.
• For goods in transit there is no need for registration of organization in Kuwait.
• A Fast Track System is in place for the GCC countries. Ex. Dubai – Saudi Arabia - Kuwait – Iraq, the shipment is sealed at point of origin, when entering Kuwait another seal is added and shipment will have to leave Kuwait within 24h.

For further information on Focal Points and on Customs Information by Entry Points, please select the following document:

Kuwait Customs Information Additional Information