Kuwait

Selling and buying in Kuwait

Consumer behavior: Kuwait, which has a population growth of 7% annually and a 10% increase in incoming expatriates, has seen rising demand supported by increasing purchasing power. Kuwaitis love buying international brands and high couture products.

Consumer profile and purchasing power: Kuwait's rapidly increasing population is undergoing a transition in lifestyle and demographics as well, with consumers now preferring massive, one-stop shopping malls in residential areas to the tradition of high street, downtown shopping.

Market shares: The Sultan Center is the largest retailer in Kuwait. It is owned by the Sultan family.
Organizations in the retail sector: Industrial employees of Kuwait

International Conventions: Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Main International economic cooperation: Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Co-operation Council alongside Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The country is also part of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), a pact of the Arab League entered into force in January 2005 which aims to form an Arabic free trade area.
Non tariff barriers: It is impossible to import products from Israel and alcohol.
Customs duties and taxes on imports: 5% « ad valorem » most products.
First need product and are not taxed.
Some products have a tax rate of 10% to 12% to protect the national industry.
There is a 100% tax rate on tobacco.
For further information, visit Kuwait Customs website.
Customs classification: Tariffs are based on the Harmonised International System (HIS) Code for classification of imports and exports.
For further information, visit Kuwait Customs website.
Import procedures: These documents are needed to import products to Kuwait :
- Certificate of origin
- An invoice
- A packing list
- A Bill of lading

For further information, visit Kuwait Customs website.
Importing samples: Samples are exempt from customs taxes as long as their packaging identifies their sender and their advertising purpose.
For further information: Kuwait customs office

Main useful means: Roads are modern and well-maintained in Kuwait.
There is no rail transport in the country, which creates traffic problems around the big cities.
There are seven airports in the country however only one respects the standards of international business.
Kuwait has modern ports: Shuwaikh and Shuaiba are the most important. This is the best way to transport goods to the country.
Ports: Kuwait Port Information
Information on Ports and Free zones
Airports: The international airport of Koweit
Sea transport organizations: Kuwait port authority
Air transport organizations: Directorate of General Civil Aviation on the airport website
Road transport organizations: Ministry of Communications

Type of production: Oil (Petroleum and petrochemicals) is Kuwait's main production and in 2007, oil accounted for 95% of all export revenues.
Business directories: Kuwait Business
Commercial Directory
Manufacturers associations of the main industries: Kuwait industry unions
Trade Agencies and their representations abroad: Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Enterprises federation: The Kuwaiti Industries union