Categories
Automotive

Importing a Car into Kuwait

Has anyone here imported a car into Kuwait before? If yes what company did you use to help you with the paperwork? I’m planning to import an old car from the UAE but since I’m an expat, I’ve been told that I need to bring the car in through a car import company. I was planning to pass by Sharq and ask the used car shops there if they offered the service but wanted to see if anybody could recommend a place first.

38 replies on “Importing a Car into Kuwait”

Importing a car is not a problem , you just have the company ship it from the UAE and the local office will contact you here to pick it up from the port. The hard part is acquiring license plates, I have imported my car and can’t seem to find anyone or place that knows how to acquire plates and register a vehicle. Every time I go to the customs officials they keep diverting me to no avail. I’m a physician and don’t have time to leave my job every week and waste my time running around pointlessly. Most government officials don’t know or won’t tell you. If you happen to go to gov’t offices avoid Kuwaitis and deal with Egyptians because they’re the only ones who know the system and can assist you. It’s also not a bad idea to have petty cash in your pocket to bribe people and getting things done much quicker.

WTF? I deal with Kuwaitis ALL the time in the customs and never faced any major problem. Plus Kuwaitis will not accept a bribe like you said. Maybe if the price is above six figures then this is another story.

Unless you bring it in the name of a Kuwaiti (individual or company), it is not possible to complete the paperwork. I imported a car from Bahrain – no issues with it and I could drive it for two months (at least that’s what the official import rules state!) on Bahrain plates.

However, I did significant running around in different traffic departments and agencies (even the Nissan local dealer) but no one had any idea about the procedure or paperwork.

I just left one of the shops in sharq. Such a shitty experience honestly. Guy I spoke to spent the first have of the conversation on his phone while I was talking to him, and then gave me mixed answers and then told me it would cost KD200 on top of the customs and all the clearance fees. Gonna check the @car_agency guys, maybe they’d be more professional https://instagram.com/car_agency/

i was about to import a car through this office.
contact them, they do all the paper work for you and let us know your experience if it went well.
they are called “The Global Agency” located in Ardiya, you may find them in instagram

DO NOT SHIP FROM THEM. SO MANY HIDDEN FEES. I imported a car from US to Kuwait was told one price and paid 2x the amount, on top of that they tried to scam me Both their office in that small building near kipco tower and the people at the port (workers in the port by telling me to pay high tax on a car that’s worth only 8000 KD NEW (it’s 2 yrs old now). They tried to tax me 500 KD (YES 500 KD) for 2 hats and 2 jackets and a snow scraper (yes i know its so useful in kuwait xd) in the trunk of my car.. I had to talk to 2 diff high positioned employees to get that fee to become 5 KD instead of 500 Lol..

I heard good stuff from Global Agency but never tried it but would try it over schumachercargo anyday.

Yup as I mentioned to Malek and WI above I’m gonna pass by them and check since based on their Instagram and recent campaign they seem more professional than the others

I hope that company you found (car_agency) can arrange the Kuwaiti license plates. All the shipping work and other stuff are nothing.

I believe https://www.gac.com/ can do the job. I used to live in UAE and thought of importing my car. Unfortunately, they told me that you have to be a GCC national to get the paperwork done. Nonetheless, I suggest reaching out to them. I have the contact details of the coordinator if you’d like to reach out to them personally.

We shifted from Oman in 2009 and imported our cars from there. We are not GCC citizens. So i guess it’s possible though I was a teen then so don’t really know how it’s done lol.

Hi Mark,

I am an expat who imported a car and a bike into Kuwait. A few years ago anyone could import a car or bike into Kuwait, about 2 and half years ago if you are an expat you are NOT allowed to import a car or bike to Kuwait even if done through a professional shipping company, it has to come in a Kuwaiti persons name, below are the steps;

1 – All the export documents from the UAE should state it is in a Kuwaiti persons name
2 – The shipping company from the UAE automatically assigns a local company to handle all the initial paper work. I used both Al Ghanim and Al Rashed ( All they do is the paper work which is needed to unload the car at the port or border nothing else (cost ranges from 80 – 200kd)
3 – The Kuwaiti goes to the ministry complex in Kuwait city and get an import license (takes about 5 mins very straight forward)
4 – You need to hire a local (finishing company) at the port building in Shuwaikh before the port the one with the blue glass (there are tonnes of those, finding one is not issue at all but they are the only people authorized to take the car out of the port) They charge anywhere from 50 – 250kd and do ALL the paper work for you
5 – The most important thing is that the chassis number is clear and documented if not you will go in circles, they input the chassis number into a global database to check the car and is needed later for the plates. You have 1 week to clear all the paper work then they charge you 5 – 10kd a day for delay (parking space at the port)
6 – you take all the papers and do third party insurance from any insurance company in 5 mins
7 – you take the car to the fahs fanni or inspection
8 – you take all those papers to the traffic dept in Shuwaikh and they issue you plates

Hi, i may not necessarily know how but my dad owns a car dealership where they import cars from the US, I can connect you with him to help with that

Hi All,

I work for a firm called “Kuwait Transcontinental Shipping Co. WLL”, who specializes in the handling of cars since 3 decades. Feel free to contact me (mobile/ Whatsap) for any car shipping related formalities/ information @ +965-99657015. Below are some pointers – hope they are useful.

Kuwait Car Import Rules – Permanent Import:
• 1 Car can be imported in 3 yrs under a personal name.
• Any number of cars can be imported under a company name (With import trade license)
• Salon/ SUV : Not older than 5 yrs including the current year (From year 2014 to year 2018 only allowed)
• High & Heavy Units : Not older than 20 yrs including the current year (From year 1998 to year 2018 only allowed)

Exceptions:
• Unique cars (few in the world) – if proved – need prior approval from Kuwait Traffic & Customs.
• Students who used their cars while out of Kuwait – if proved – need prior approval from Kuwait Traffic & Customs.
• Vintage/ Classic Cars (over 40 yrs old – From year 1978 to year 2018 NOT classified as vintage/ classic car)
• Special need cases.

Temporary Import:
– One can import a car temporarily from the Middle East, if they have a Trip Ticket (also known as KT) done prior to import into Kuwait. After a period of 1 yr, has to exit the country.

Need the following information prior to assessing the required formalities for both export from the country of origin and import into Kuwait.

Make/ Model/ YOM/ Vin #

Need to check in the global database to assess if this model is totaled/ flood damaged or scrap car prior to import as they will not be allowed entry into Kuwait.

FYI:
We can do all the formalities for you with the registration of the car and deliver to your doorstep.

Thanks and await your call.

Nabu – Your Logistics consultant.

Hello Nabu
Would these conditions also apply to Motorbikes? Or are there different regulations for importing a Bike?
Thanks in advance

Would you happen to be able to do this service for an American expat? Found a vehicle in UAE, it’s an 05 sedan. IS300 in particular (if it matters)

if its 2005 you can’t import it. As an expat you can import a car that’s 5 or less years old. If its over 5 years old but less then 25 years old it’s considered an old car and Kuwaitis can import 1 old car in their lifetime. If its over 25 years old expats can’t import it and Kuwaitis can import 1 every 2 years.

Thanks Mark for having such engaging posts…. How much progress have you made?

Any suggestions on where I can find a Handicap Accessible 1994 Toyota Coaster w/ High roof and the process to EXPORT? Interior condition doesn’t matter as long as engine & body manufacture dates match, are Authentic Japanese (not Chinese Clone (lots for sale on internet)), minimal rust and chassis in decent condition? Looking forward to actionable advise.

Possible business venture if some1 knows where there is a good stash available!

Thanks!

i am working in Kuwait more than 29 yes can i take my old car to srilanka if any one no please inform please 2015 kia car

Leave a Reply to Mark Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *