Do you plan to import food to Kuwait? Then, you have to know that you will need to meet a lot of requirements to achieve this. This is not only the case with Kuwait. If you want to import food and other agricultural products, it is going to be challenging. Many countries have strict rules because of possible diseases that can be spread through food. For this reason, before you contact Easy Move Kuwait to inquire about their shipping services, you need to know everything about Kuwait food and agricultural import regulations. Make sure to follow and respect all these regulations. Otherwise, you will have to receive a large penalty to pay.
Kuwait food and agricultural import licenses
If you plan to open your business with food import, you will need to get all the necessary licenses. First of all, you need to apply for import licenses from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Then, you will also need to register with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). When you receive this license, it is going to be valid for only one year. However, it is easily renewable so you can do it every time it expires. In addition to this, you can use this license for multiple shipments. If you plan to import industrial machinery as well, you also need to use your import license. It is also important to find climate controlled storage units that meet all the requirements. Lastly, only local agents are authorized to clear the items at the Kuwait Customs.
Commercial Invoice and Certificate of Origin
Having a license is not everything. You also need to have a lot of documents. The first one would be a commercial invoice. You need to have one original and two copies ready. Why is this important? The invoice needs to contain the following information.
- An accurate description of the goods
- Marks and numbers
- Net and gross weights in metric measure
- Quantity, units, and total value
- Country of origin
- Port and shipping information
A local chamber of commerce or the National Chamber of Commerce in your country should legalize the invoice. In addition to this, all the products need to have a certificate of origin. Before you store them in the warehouse Kuwait, you need to have a statement of their origin and manufacture. For example, if you are shipping from the USA, it needs to state if it is fully produced in the USA or not.
Kuwait food and agricultural import packing list and bill of lading
All the products need to be properly packed as well. Once you finish with all the packing, you need to make a packing list as well. Here, you need to explain all the products in great detail. Then, you need to stamp it with the company seal or stamp of the exporter. The stamp of a freight forwarder is also acceptable. The same would apply if you are shipping to Saudi Arabia as well. In addition to this, you will also need a bill of lading. Here, you will need three copies. The bill of lading needs to have the name of the shipper. Then, you also need to write the name or address of the consignee, the final destination and its port, description of the goods, list of freight, and the number of bills of lading. Lastly, it needs to have the acknowledgment signature.
How to ship vegetables and fruit?
Now that you know about all the documents you need to collect, you should read how to import certain products. First of all, for dry pea and lentils, you will need Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Phytosanitary Certificate. This is important since all the products need to be inspected and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures. Additionally, they need to be free from pests and other diseases. Lastly, it needs to follow the Phytosanitary regulations of the importing contracting party. The same goes for rice, seeds, fresh fruits & vegetables, live plants, and cut flowers, etc. Then, you need the country of origin confirmation for the customs. Lastly, you need the health certificate that says that all the goods have been prepared and shipped under sanitary conditions and are fit for human consumption.
Kuwait food and agricultural import for animal products
It is a little bit different if you plan to import animal products. First of all, you will need Products Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Health Certificate. Then, people need to slaughter and process by both regulations of the country of origin and the Health Department of Kuwait Municipality Meat & Poultry. Animals need to be slaughtered according to Islamic/Sharia laws & requirements. If you are not familiar with this, make sure to contact the person who knows. You can also contact the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry. You need to contact it because of all the licenses. At the same time, you can ask all the questions you are not sure about. Lastly, you can also contact customs. They will provide all the necessary information or contact info of a person that can help you.
All the procedures
As you can see, you will have a lot of documents to collect. Kuwait food and agriculture import regulations are strict but fair. As mentioned, all the countries need to be careful when it comes to food and agricultural products. All the products need to be healthy and processed according to regulations of local and country of destination. Make sure to have all the necessary documents before shipping any of the products. It can be quite expensive to ship the products, especially food. In addition to this, food can go bad quickly. To prevent this, you need to pack your products properly. This is especially important if you plan to do business in Kuwait. This country is a great place for business and foreign investment. Therefore, make sure to do everything according to rules and regulations.