Shipping From China To Kuwait: Sea, Air, Rail, DDP Freight

China is the top import partner of Kuwait. Kuwaiti businesses are mainly transporting cars, steel, iron, electronic equipment and construction materials from Chinese factories.

In today’s guide, we have made the process of shipping from China to Kuwait so simple for you. Let’s see how you can grow your Kuwaiti business by getting products at affordable prices from China.

Steps To Ship From China To Kuwait

Our team has made this shipping process so easy for you. Follow these 6 simple steps to transport goods from China to Kuwait.

1. Register as an Importer in Kuwait

To import goods from any part of the world, you must get an import license from the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). This license is renewable after one year. You also need a permit from the industry’s public authority for the import of heavy machinery and spare parts related to it.

Your agent must be local to clear all your products from the port. Special consent is also required to import pharmaceuticals, explosives, firearms, and wild animals. If you don’t have a valid license, you can import on behalf of registered companies. Some importers also provide this facility.

2. Product Selection For Importing To Kuwait

Kuwait is an important Arab country, so its economy is solely dependent on petroleum exports. There is not a variety of manufacturing plants in Kuwait, so it imports almost every kind of product globally. It imports more than 5 billion dollars of products from China. Products include automobiles, electronic items, toys, construction vehicles, and light fixtures.

You should select a product that is easy to handle and need less documentation. A thorough analysis of the Kuwaiti market is necessary before going to import anything. You can calculate the final cost of the product including the expected shipping price and insurance.

3. Select the Best Supplier in China

The selection of a reliable Chinese supplier is an important step in the import process. You should get a consultation from local Kuwaiti importers to search for a good supplier. Visiting China is another option to hunt for your targeted suppliers. There are some big markets like the Yiwu market, in which you will get big suppliers and new ideas.

Online hunting is another reliable option to shortlist your suppliers. Some big wholesale platforms like Alibaba and Made-In-China have reliable and verified lists of suppliers. You can search for your targeted product, and hundreds of relevant results will be shown. China also holds some exhibitions internationally and locally for this purpose.

4. Choose a Chinese Freight Forwarder

Freight forwarders play a key role in the transportation and logistic support. They are responsible for carrying your goods from the supplier’s place to the port of origin in China. After that, their responsibility is to ship your products through air or sea from China to the final destination in Kuwait.

Some freight forwarders also have legal expertise to help you in the clearance of your goods from the customs department. Our team at Bansar can assist you in the submission of important documents. Plus, we have a wide network on the Kuwaiti destination ports. So, we ensure the early clearance of items from Government officials.

5. Discuss Incoterms With Chinese Seller

Incoterm is an agreement between you and a product seller in China. Normally two incoterms are very common to import from China to Kuwait.

• Free On Board (FOB): In this incoterm, the supplier is the responsible person until the products are loaded onto the ship in China. The buyer is responsible for any damage or problem that occurs during transit. This method is quite safe in short distances.
• EX-Works (EXW): In this case, you as a buyer are solely responsible for transportation after the products are made. Everything will be managed by you until the items finally reach Kuwait. This method is suitable for experienced importers, who already have connections in the origin country.

6. Clearance From Chinese Ports

When your products reach the airport or seaport of China, you also get clearance from their officials before final shipment to Kuwait. This is the responsibility of the supplier in the case of FOB incoterm. The supplier or the customs broker submits an export declaration to the Chinese authorities.

In this export declaration, commercial invoices, product descriptions, and other important details about the supplier are provided to the authorities. In the case of sensitive or restricted products, some special certificates are required.

Import Regulations By Kuwait Government

For the purpose of shipping from China to Kuwait, you also need to understand important documentation and customs charges.

Required Documents

• Import License: You must have a valid import license recognized by KCCI (Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry). This license has 1-year validity.
• Commercial Invoice: This invoice has so much importance in the import process. It contains necessary information regarding the cost of the goods, product description, the currency, and the agreement between the buyer and the seller.
• Packing List: It will reveal the details about the product type, cost, quantity, their expiry date in the case of consumer items, and other necessary details. It helps the customs department to calculate the customs duty. 
• Bill of Lading/Airway Bill: This bill is the proof of ownership. It is provided after the products are loaded onto the ship in China. It includes the incoterms used, the shipping cost, information about the shipping company, and some legal information. The name of the Kuwaiti importer must be on this bill of lading.
• Certificate of Origin: It also helps to define the customs duty and fulfill the legalities. This certificate is produced by the Chamber of Commerce of China. You must show this document at the time of the clearance.
• Residency Proof: If you are a Kuwaiti citizen, you need to show your identification. In the case of migrants, you can show your residence permit and other documents.

Special Certificates

• Conformity Assessment: Before importing goods into Kuwait, you must have a conformity certificate from an accredited lab. 
• Veterinary Health Certificate: For the import of animals, you should have a health certificate. It contains the disease history of the previous 6 months and the environment in which that animal lived. A statement is attached with the meat and poultry import, that the slaughtering is done in an islamic way.  
• Phytosanitary Certificate: This certificate is required for the import of plants.
• Certificate of Disinfection: If you want to import used clothes and shoes from China to Kuwait, then this certificate is a must-attached document. 
• Foodstuff Certificate: You need this certificate to declare that the food items you are importing are free of any cyclamate compounds.
• Certificate of Free Sale: If you are importing any cosmetics, pharma-related products, or any kind of medication, this certificate is needed. Your products must comply with the standards of the FDA.

Customs Duties

Kuwait imposes a 5% customs duty on the import of more than $1000. Its evaluation is based on the cost, insurance, and freight charges. Some stuff is duty-free, e.g. medicines, and food items. On the other hand, a 100% duty is imposed on tobacco products. 15-22% duty is imposed on the locally made products.

5 Modes of Shipping From China To Kuwait

The following are the most commonly used ways by which businesses import their cargo to Kuwait from China.

Sea Freight

It is the most common method used for transportation between these two countries. The distance between China and Kuwait is approximately 11350 km by sea. You can import goods in bulk and in a cost-effective way through the ocean. However, some major challenges are also there during the transit, e.g. environment, security, and accidents.

If you are a big importer and want to import goods in bulk, a 40-foot container is perfect for you. It will be a cost-effective option. If you are new, and the quantity is average, then LCL (less than a container load) will be suitable for you. In this way, you can share your load with others, however, it will take some extra time than normal.

Major Seaports in Kuwait

• The Port of Shuwaikh
• The Port of Shuaiba
• The Port of Doha

Important Ports in China

• Shanghai Seaport
• Port of Tianjin
• Port of Guangzhou
• Port of Shenzhen
• Port of Ningbo
• Port of Qingdao

Air Freight

The most convenient way to import your products from China to Kuwait is through airplanes. If you want to ship products in small quantities, then air freight is your most suitable option. This transportation method is used for sending samples to clients, and other sensitive products. Usually, two types of cargo are used to deliver the products. 

General cargo is used for electronic items, like laptops, mobile phones, toys, etc. Special cargo is used to carry temperature-sensitive products like seafood, and pharmaceutical products like insulin and vaccines. Special packing is required for fragile items to avoid any breakage.

Important Airlines

• Kuwait Airways
• Air China
• China Southern 
• China Eastern

Main Airport in Kuwait

• Kuwait International Airport

Top Chinese Airports

• The Beijing Capital International Airport
• The Guangzhou International Airport
• The Hong Kong International Airport
• The Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Rail Freight

This is also an old and reliable transportation method. Your cost will be lower than air freight and your transit time will be shorter than sea freight. Train connects China to Europe and Asian regions including the Gulf countries. You can choose this safe option for the import of general and sensitive types of goods.

DHL also provides DDP services through rail freight to Kuwait from China. Rail freight ensures more safety than sea freight.

Express Freight

It is the fastest way to import your products from China to Kuwait. You can select this method in case of emergency or to import some highly sensitive products, like luxurious cars, medicines, etc. The services of international couriers are done through big giants including DHL, FedEx, UPS, and EMS. 

Express freight is different from normal air freight. Its cost is calculated through volumetric weight. Height, width, and length are multiplied by each other. The result is then divided by 5000, and the answer is volumetric weight for express freight. 

DDP Shipping From China To Kuwait

Door-to-door delivery is the most easy and hassle-free import method. In DDP, the taxes and duties are paid in advance. Your products will reach your destination site in Kuwait without much involvement. Most of the importers choose this method for its efficiency and hassle-free mode. Kuwait has so many complexities in the import process. So it is convenient for you to choose this method. 

DDP can be of any type. Air freight DDP is the most costly way to import your products. Rail freight DDP and sea freight DDP are the two economical options for bringing products from China to Kuwait.

Business Opportunities While Using the DDP Method

There are a lot of business opportunities if you opt for the DDP model of import. You can start your retail online business in Kuwait like AliExpress is doing globally. After the selection of Chinese products, you can list them on your website. After getting the order in Kuwait, you can start the import process. Your customers will get the products at their doorstep in any location of Kuwait.

Cost of Importing From China To Kuwait

The price to ship products to Kuwait is dependent on the way of shipping. Because the more quickly you get your cargo, the more money you have to pay.

Given below is an estimated range of shipping rates to Kuwait to give you a general idea. The figures can slightly change as the location of departure and arrival ports changes, as well as rising fuel costs.

Transit Time To Ship From China To Kuwait

There are several factors that affect the duration of shipping cargo between both countries. The main thing is the type of shipping you choose for delivering your cargo to your desired location. Moreover, sometimes national holidays, port congestion and clearing customs cause delays in shipping from China to Kuwait.

But still, you can get an idea of how much time each method takes to ship your products to the airport or seaport of Kuwait.

Major Imports From China To Kuwait

According to our experience, most businesses in Kuwait are importing these goods from China. The reason is because if you choose the following items to ship to your country, you will have higher profit margins.

• Cars (They are imported by the diplomats and Kuwaiti nationals only)
• Toys
• Plants and plant products
• Meat and poultry products
• Electronic items including laptops, pads, etc. 
• Alternative energy plants
• Construction machinery
• Telephones
• Light fixtures
• Textile products
• Steel and iron articles

Prohibited Kuwaiti Imports From China

Below we have listed some products that are completely banned to ship to Kuwait.

• Pork alcohol and beverages
• Pornographic stuff
• Narcotics
• Gambling-related products
• Radioactive substances
• Sharp substances like razors

Final Words

We hope now you understand the whole scenario of shipping from China to Kuwait. There’s no doubt you can do it yourself to import cargo from Chinese ports to your desired location.

However, our freight forwarding experts at Bansar are always available to answer your questions. We will help you ship your products from China to any city of Kuwait. You will also get free warehousing service and instant customs clearance in both countries. Contact us today to know more details.