Exporting from Bahrain to Kuwait
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Bahrain selling to buyers in Kuwait.
Send a certificate of origin with the shipment to claim the preference.
VAT — Kuwait: None (no VAT as of 2026)
GCC Customs Union
- Common external tariff: 5%
Most goods imported from outside the GCC pay 5% duty. About 417 basic items (foodstuffs, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical goods) are exempt, and tobacco pays 100%.
Source ↗ - Single point of entry
Customs duty on foreign goods is collected once, at the first GCC point of entry. The goods can then move on to other member states without paying duty again.
Source ↗ - National product treatment
Goods produced in any GCC state move duty-free and are treated as national goods in all member states.
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Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / PAFTA)
- 0% customs duty
Arab-origin goods traded between members are fully exempt from customs duties and charges with equivalent effect, for both industrial and agricultural products.
Source ↗ - No non-tariff barriers, with set exceptions
Members may not apply non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, except for religious, health, security and environmental reasons. A few farm products can also be excluded temporarily during local harvest seasons (the agricultural calendar).
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Other agreements (not applied): TR–GCC FTA (Not in force yet)
Importing into Kuwait
- Import licence (Kuwaiti holder)
Importers must be Kuwaiti citizens or Kuwait-based companies registered with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The import licence is valid one year, renewable, and covers many shipments; the bill of lading must show the licence holder's name. Machinery, pharmaceuticals and some other goods need extra licences.
Source ↗ - Product conformity: KUCAS (PAI)
Under the Public Authority for Industry's KUCAS scheme, shipments of regulated products (such as automotive parts, chemicals, toys and household electrical and gas appliances) must carry a Technical Inspection Report (TIR) and Technical Evaluation Report (TER) from an approved body.
Source ↗ - GCC G-mark for toys and low-voltage goods
Products covered by GCC technical regulations, starting with children's toys and low-voltage electrical equipment, must carry the GCC conformity mark (G-mark) issued under the GSO system.
Source ↗ - Documents and legalization
Commercial shipments need a commercial invoice and certificate of origin (one original and two copies each), a packing list and the bill of lading or airway bill. The invoice and certificate of origin should be legalized by a chamber of commerce; if the goods contain foreign parts, state their origin.
Source ↗ - Arabic labelling and origin marking
Food labels must include Arabic (multi-language labels are fine) with name, batch, ingredients, expiry date, maker and storage details. All imported goods need an origin mark that cannot be removed or altered; meat and poultry labels must state halal slaughter.
Source ↗ - Banned and restricted goods
Banned: pork products, alcohol, gambling machines, pornography, narcotics, used medical equipment and cars older than 10 years. Firearms and explosives need special approval.
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