New Page 1

FAQ

Q. Do I need any special documents to ship cargo to Kuwait?
A. Commercial Invoice/Packing List and Certificate of Origin

Q. Are any Products/Goods prohibited?
A. All types of weapons, ammunition and explosives, including antique and ornamental
- Narcotics and drugs
- Pork products
- Alcoholic beverages of any type including beer and wine-making kits
- Gambling Equipment.
- PC's, radio transmitters, and wireless telephones require a special permit and are subject to approval by the Ministry of Telecommunications
- ALL PRINTED MATTER, BOOKS, PICTURES, RECORDS, FILMS, TAPES, SLIDES, MOVIES, VIDEOS, COMPACT DISCS, COMPUTER SOFTWARE, ETC. ARE SUBJECT TO THE RELIGIOUS & MORAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT.

Q. What is the Duty Rate for Import Cargo?
A. Tobacco Products 100%
Foodstuff other than Tea and Salt are duty exempted.
General Cargo 5%

Q. Can I move cargo to Iraq via Kuwait?
A. Yes. The Cargo will be considered in transit.

Q. Do I need any special documents to ship cargo to Iraq?
A. The documentation required will depend on the nature of the cargo. Humanitarian, Military or Government Cargo requires special letters (advice on this can be obtained from our staff). Commercial cargo requires only normal documentation.

Q. What is the Duty Rate for Import Cargo?
A. All goods except Humanitarian, Military or Government Cargo is subject to 5%

Q. Can I do “Door to Door” delivery?
A. Yes.

ETAs (estimated time of arrival):

Q. When to send initial ETA and who to send it to?
A. ETA to be sent to Port Authorities Marine Operation with copy to agent 72 hours prior arrival.

Q. When should additional ETAs be sent?
A. To be updated as and when necessary.

Q. What information is to be included in the ETA message?
A. a. Name of Ship
    b. Length Over All (L.O.A.)
    c. Draft FWD & AFT
    d. GRT / NRT
    e. Expected ETA
    f. Kuwait Cargo Clear and Ready For Immediate Discharge
    g. State of Discharging Gears
    h. Kind of Cargo
    i. List of Inflammable or Hazardous Cargo

Radio:
Q. Which coast radio station is recommended, for passing long-range messages?
A. For long range message Bahrain radio is used. For local communication between port and ship it is usually channel 16, Working hours for Bahrain radio and Kuwait port radio is 24 hours.

Q. Is Inmarsat communication possible?
A. Inmarsat communication is possible.

Documents:
Q. What documents are required on arrival?
A. Documents required are:
   a. Crew list
   b. Vaccination list
   c. Crew declaration & Store list

Q. How many copies of each are required?
A. Four Copies of crew list
   Two Copies of Vaccination list.
   Two Copies of Crew declaration
   Two Copies of Store list

Q. Who wants to see or receive the documents?
A. a. One copy each of crew list will be received by Customs and Health.
    b. Two copies will be received by agent, (of which One will be submitted to Immigrations after attesting same from Health).
    c. Two copies of Vaccination list will be received by Health officer
    d. Two copies each of Crew declaration and Store list will be received by Customs

Q. Are there any special forms to be completed if so who delivers them and when?
A. Customs and Health forms will be delivered on boarding by their respective officers, which to be filled and returned to them.

Health:
Q. When should pratique to be applied for?
A. Since there is no waiting time at anchorage, free pratique is granted on vessels' berthing.

Q. Can it be applied for by radio?
A. It can be applied for by radio. Local band channel 16

Q. Does the port have any special health regulations?
A. No special health regulations in Kuwait.

Q. Can Derat and Derat exemption certificates be renewed?
Derating certificate can be renewed in Kuwait.

Q. Customs and Immigration:
What are customs allowances for officers and crew?
A. No customs allowances for officers and Crew, as law prohibits alcohol.

Q. What are the penalties for non-compliance?
A. Penalties to be decided by court and could result in jail sentence.

Q. What are immigration procedure and formalities at the port?
A. On arrival agent will collect all passports / seamen books and deposit same with immigration for the period of vessels stay in port.

Q. Are there any restrictions on crew and or passengers?
A. No restrictions on crew or passengers. For issuance of shore passes a copy of crew list to be sent to local agent three working days prior arrival in order to obtain approval from immigration authorities.
One personal photo is required.

Standard messages:
Q. Are any messages sent to approaching vessels, which may affect the vessel on arrival, if yes, what is the content of the message?
A. Not required.

Flags:
Q. In addition to normal Interco flags, are there any special requirements for displaying flags in the port?
A. It is imperative to have a Kuwait flag on and a quarantine flag on arrival

Q. What are the penalties for not complying?
A. Penalties will be decided by Port Marine Authority and could result in warning and / or monetary penalty.

Notice of Readiness:
Q. When should, NOR be tendered?
A. Notice of Readiness to be tendered on arrival anchorage, subject to Charter Party.

Q. Are there any unusual circumstances that a ship’s master should be aware of when tendering NOR?
A. Non-whatsoever except should be in accordance with the Charter Party clause and conditions.

Regulations and general notices:
Q. Are there any regulations in force that the ship's master should be aware of that may affect the normal commercial operation of his vessel. What are the regulations, if any?
A. General circular is usually given to ship masters on arrival, covering local rules / regulations.

Agency:
Q. Are there any special considerations that should be taken into account when a local agent is appointed by a ship owner or Charterers?
A. It depends on Owners/Charterers policy, However it is always recommended Owners / Charterers appoint an Agent who is experienced, well financed and well versed with local and port regulations and who is capable of giving a quick dispatch to vessels.

Q.Should a government agency be used as well as a local agent?
A. There is no government-shipping agency. All shipping agents are private.