Shipping to and from Kuwait

Effective date: 01/05/2022
Free time: Calendar day
Currency: KWD
Invoiced: Per container, per day, as per container type

Import

Applicable product setup

Combined demurrage and detention start from discharge day (included), ends with gate-in empty day (included) to terminal.

Free time

Tariff after free time

Tariff after free time

Tariff after free time

Important note on documentation fee

• Any amendment requests after manifest filing will be charged with a fee of KD 10 per amendment.

Delivery order

To collect delivery order, below documents are necessary:

• Endorsed OBL/Seaway Bill
• Civil ID copy

Over weight charges

Charges applicable as per below table if cargo is overweight:

Manifest amendment - timelines

* If the amendment is not submitted timely, same needs be requested at counter with the necessary documents. KD 10 charge applicable per amendment.

Consignee name, quantity or weight amendment*:

• Amendment request letter should be submitted by authorized party (Shipper), mentioning:
  • a) the exact per B/L change (From/To).
  • b) Indemnifying Maersk of any chargers/delays that may occur as a result of this request and requester to take full liability.
• Old customer endorsement letter signed by authorized representative of the company (and certified by the bank if bank is the party on the Bill of Lading)
• Old DO if issued needs to be returned if bayan not prepared.
• 3 Original Bill of Ladings(OBL)
• *Quantity and weight amendment can be requested by consignee as well

Change packages no or weight

• Amendment request letter should be submitted by authorized party (Shipper or Consignee), mentioning: a) the exact change (From/To). b) Maersk indemnity of any chargers/delays that may occur as a result of this request and requester to take full liability
• Old delivery order if issued
• 3 Original Bill of Ladings(OBL) or release

Routing

At present we have Container Yard (CY) acceptance at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba Terminal. Both ports are served by US flagged vessels only. In case of any exception required, please check with our operations department kw.import@maersk.com

Commodity

The Kuwaiti authorities have banned the import of alcoholic beverages, gambling machines and pornographic materials. Pork and pork products are also strictly prohibited to be imported into the country.

Weight / Measurement

There is no weight limitation other than the maximum weight as stipulated on the Container Safety Convention (CSC) plate of the container.

Shuwaikh and Shuaiba port’s gantry crane has maximum weight limitation of 40 metric tons. For over weight containers discharged, double handling charges are imposed (i.e. containers in excess of 24 mts/20' and 30 mts/40' & 45'; an additional cost of KWD 22/20', KWD 38/40', and KWD 50/45').

The Port will levy a fine of Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) 150 per container if its weight exceeds gantry weight limit or Container Safety Convention (CSC) plate limit.

Break Bulk and Out of Gauge cargo need prior confirmation from Maersk Kuwait kw.import@maersk.comprior loading at origins, and has to be direct delivery upon arrival into Kuwait. Additional discharge cost for Out of Gauge cargo is based on unitized amount of Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) 15 per container and subject to all other charges.

For cargo over 29 metric tones, request via mail to kw.import@maersk.comis mandatory prior acceptance and loading of cargo at origin in order to arrange special cranes. Failing in sending request prior loading of container will be concluded as erroneous declaration and container will be either kept onboard or will incur claims fine.

Import documentations

No amendments to be made on transport documents (Bills of Lading/Seaway Bill) 96 hours prior vessel arrival at destination (Kuwait) without destination office approval.

In the case of switch bills of lading and foreign consignee's (consignee out of Kuwait), details of the cargo receiver in Kuwait must be updated 96 hours prior cargo discharge at Kuwait, Amendments after deadline would require mandatory approval from destination kw.import@maersk.com.

Acceptance of split B/L manifested with multiple consignee's under one container is not permitted.

For commodities cars shipment, as per Kuwaiti customs regulations multiple cars under one bill of lading on single person name is not allowed (i.e. each person is allowed to import one (1) car only). In case of non-adherence all related customs penalties and charges will be on the responsibility of the origin shipper.

Special note for shipment in transit to Iraq, a clause needed to be added in the transportation document (Bill of Lading).

i.e. in description part to read 'CARGO IN TRANSIT TO IRAQ'.

Special cargoes

• IMO class 1-7 will not be accepted to Shuaiba. Bookings made to Shuaiba for DG shipments between IMO 1-7 will not be accepted due to port restrictions for discharging the containers. Alternatively, Shuwaikh port can be used for importing this class of IMO containers.
• Hazardous (IMO) cargo is subject to approval from kw.import@maersk.com prior acceptance and loading.
• No Less Container Load (LCL) or Container Freight Station (CFS) delivery is acceptable.

Import of transshipment for IMO 1 cargo from Jebel Ali is Restricted.

Vehicle restrictions

• Cars over 10 years old are not allowed to be imported into Kuwait (i.e., cars should not be older than 10 years when discharging in Kuwait).
• Vintage cars are over 40 years can be imported only on PERSONAL name.
• A Bill of Lading can have only one vehicle with one consignee in each container. Multiple vehicles and splits will not be manifested.
• Mandatory details to be present in the cargo description:
• Vehicle Brand
• Chassis no / VIN no
• Year of Manufacturer
• Model Year
• Vehicle type:(Sedan/Saloon/Jeep/Box/VAN/Truck Etc.)
• Mandatory details to be present in the Consignee section:
• Consignee Name
• Email ID
• Phone number
• In case Personal Effect Cargo / Auto parts Clubbed with vehicle then total number of Packages and Weight should be mentioned on Bill of Lading description.
• Failure to comply and if below details are missing from the cargo description, container will be retained onboard (ROB) import vessel with all charges billed to shipper/booked by party on the Bill of Lading.
• In case of incorrect declaration in shipping instruction (Description/weight /Packages), amendment will result in customs penalty of KWD 100 (USD 325), this penalty will be billed back to shipper in case local consignee disagrees to pay in Kuwait.
• CY/SD or SD/SD Bookings for Vehicles coming into Kuwait will not be accepted.