Import regulations by Kuwait customs

Import Restrictions:

Certain items are prohibited by the Kuwaiti Government:

Goods may not be imported from Israel.
Alcohol, materials for making alcoholic beverages (hops, malt extracts, wine kits)

Arms and ammunition
Unlicensed drugs and medicines
Explosives
Pornographic materials
Politically subversive materials
Pork products

Beef and other products from cattle from the UK and the Republic of Ireland are prohibited.

Authority must be obtained from the Ministry of Health for drugs and medicines.

Jewels, precious stones and metals may only be imported subject to approval by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Tariffs are based on the Harmonised International System (HIS) Code for classification of imports and exports.

Household and personal effects, perfume and tobacco may be imported without duty.

A duty of 5% may apply to some items.

For all other imports, duties are charged ad valorem on the cost, insurance, freight (cif) value.

Commercial samples and Temporary Imports

Samples of value under KD100 are admitted duty free. Other samples attract duty which is refunded upon re-exportation

Export regulations by Kuwait customs

Exports:

Prohibited items
Alcohol, narcotics, unsealed milk products, unsealed salty fish, unsealed olives and pickles, food prepared abroad, fresh vegetables, shellfish and its products, fresh figs and mineral water. Penalties for attempting to smuggle restricted items are severe.

Other Kuwait customs information

Vaccination against typhoid and poliomyelitis is sometimes advised.

Food drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Diarrhoeal diseases such as giardiasis, dysentery and typhoid fever are common. Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is endemic in the region. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is reported. Tick-borne relapsing fever may occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical insurance is essential. Both private and government health services are available.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html