Kuwait: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 12 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Kuwait.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Kuwait in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Kuwait may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

12 entries on the official lists name Kuwait — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	8	8	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	1	1	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	1	1	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	1	1	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Kuwait recorded yet.

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All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Kuwait: logistics and trade

Crude oil export hub / GCC import market

Kuwait (KW) sits at the northern end of the Persian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, acting as an oil export hub and an import-dependent GCC market. The country belongs to the GCC customs union with the unified GCC customs law and a 5 percent external tariff on the CIF value; since 1 January 2025 the integrated 12-digit GCC tariff applies, administered by the Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC). No VAT is levied, and none is planned before 2028. Key gateways are the container port of Shuwaikh, Shuaiba in the south and the Mina Al Ahmadi oil terminal; the Mubarak Al Kabeer deep-water port on Bubiyan Island is under construction. Air freight moves through Kuwait International Airport (KWI). By road, the Kuwait City–Basra and Kuwait City–Riyadh/Dammam axes link the country to neighbouring markets; all sea traffic passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Exports are crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals, mainly to China, India and South Korea; imports include machinery, vehicles, electronics and food from China, the US and the Gulf states.

Capital: Kuwait City
Population: 5,098,539
Area: 17,818 km²
Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
Continent: Asia
Region: Middle East / Gulf
Economic area: GCC (customs union)
Religions: Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: Gulf crisis: ship movements at Shuaiba port suspended; Shuwaikh operating with restrictions after a drone strike on 27.3.2026 (both ports ISPS Level 2). Hormuz transit only controlled/in phases according to Oman's traffic plan. KGAC is introducing electronic advance customs clearance (Instruction 24/2026); Mubarak Al Kabeer under construction. (As of 2026-07-24)
Seasonal conditions: Extreme summer heat (often above 50 degrees Celsius) and sandstorms can strain handling and cold chains.

Main seaports

Doha Harbor
Doha / Mina ad-Dawhah (KW DOH): small Kuwait City harbour, only 3–4 m deep, limited freight relevance. Container cargo runs via Shuwaikh and Shuaiba.
Mina Al Ahmadi
Mina Al Ahmadi (KW MEA): Kuwait's main oil export terminal on the Persian Gulf, loading crude, products and LNG for VLCCs. No container or general cargo.
Al Kuwayt
Shuwaikh (KW KWI), Kuwait's main container port: 613,093 TEU in 2024, 21 berths, general and reefer cargo. Bulk alternative: Shuaiba.
Mina Ash Shuaybah
Mina Ash Shuaybah / Shuaiba (KW SAA): Kuwait's second commercial port, handling containers, general cargo, RoRo and tankers beside a petrochemical estate.
Mina Abd Allah
Mina Abd Allah (KW MIB): KNPC crude and products tanker port south of Kuwait City. No containers — boxed cargo routes via Shuwaikh or Shuaiba.
Mina Az Zawr
Mina Az Zawr / Mina Saud (KW MIS): Kuwait's Al-Zour oil, refinery and LNG port. No containers — use Shuwaikh or Shuaiba for boxed cargo.

Main cargo airports

Kuwait International AirportKWI
Kuwait International Airport (KWI): Cargo City for 77+ freighters, ~600,000 t/year, new Terminal 2 by late 2026 — served by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera.

Road corridors

Kuwait City - Basra (Iraq)
Kuwait City - Riyadh/Dammam (Saudi Arabia)

Main trade lanes

Kuwait - China
Kuwait - India
Kuwait - South Korea
Kuwait - Japan
Kuwait - USA

Customs and import

Customs authority Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC)Official website ↗

Import customs system: GCC customs union with a common external tariff of 5 percent (CIF) on most goods; tobacco 100 percent; around 417 basic foodstuffs, medicines and pharmaceutical products duty-free. GCC Integrated Tariff (12-digit) since 1.1.2025.
Export customs system: Export processing via the KGAC with electronic declaration; crude oil and petroleum products dominate exports. GCC certificates of origin for duty-free trade within the Gulf.
Import VAT: No import VAT (as of June 2026). The GCC VAT has not been implemented in Kuwait and, according to the government plan, is not planned before 2028; no excise tax is in force either.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: GCC certificate of origin for the Gulf internal market; GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area, 40 percent value-added rule); GCC-EFTA agreement since 1.7.2014 with EUR.1 movement certificate.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Prohibited: alcohol, pork, gambling devices, pornographic material and narcotics. Weapons and explosives only with special permit.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Bill of lading / air waybill
Import licence (for restricted goods)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Bill of lading / air waybill

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: High
Dangerous goods relevance: High
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium to high

Trade

Top import partners

China United States United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Japan

Top export partners

China India South Korea Japan United States

Top import goods

Machinery
Vehicles
Electronics
Foodstuffs
Chemicals

Top export goods

Crude oil
Petroleum products
Petrochemicals

Typical cargo

Crude oil
Petroleum products
Petrochemicals
Machinery
Vehicles
Foodstuffs

Upcoming public holidays

New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Kuwait National DayThu, 25 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Liberation DayFri, 26 Feb 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Saudi Arabia Establishes 14-Nation Alliance for the Red Sea3 Aug 2026
Saudi Arabia leads a 14-nation alliance to protect the Red Sea. In the short term, little is changing for shipping companies: the mission is still in the build-up phase.

Logistics questions

Which customs system does Kuwait use?

Kuwait belongs to the GCC customs union and applies the unified GCC customs law. The Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC) is responsible. The common external tariff is 5 percent on the CIF value of most goods; declarations are filed electronically.

Is there a value-added tax (VAT) in Kuwait?

No. Kuwait currently (as of June 2026) levies no value-added tax. The GCC VAT has not been implemented and, according to the government's four-year plan, is not expected before 2028. An excise tax is also not yet in force.

Which duty rates and exemptions apply?

The standard rate is 5 percent (CIF). Tobacco products are charged at 100 percent. About 417 basic foodstuffs as well as medical and pharmaceutical items are duty-free. Since 1 January 2025 the GCC Integrated Customs Tariff with 12-digit codes applies.

Which ports and airports handle the cargo?

The main container port is Shuwaikh, followed by Shuaiba in the south; both are operated by the Kuwait Ports Authority. Oil is loaded via terminals such as Mina Al Ahmadi. Air freight runs through Kuwait International Airport (KWI).

Which goods are prohibited or restricted on import?

Prohibited items include alcohol, pork, gambling devices, pornographic material and narcotics. Weapons and explosives may only be imported with special authorisation.

Which free trade agreements can Kuwait use?

As a GCC member, Kuwait benefits from the Gulf internal market as well as the GCC-EFTA agreement (in force since 1 July 2014, with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA). Preferences require valid proofs of origin.

Which currency is used in Kuwait?

Legal tender is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD), one of the world's highest-valued currencies. It is pegged to a currency basket in which the US dollar carries a strong weight.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗