Job Discussion Forums

[fishmarket]

I will shortly be arriving in Kuwait and expect to stay for several months. I am tempted to bring in a few creature comforts: bacon, sausages and a couple of bottles of wine disguised as lemonade.

As this would be purely for my personal use and not for monetary gain, what is likely to happen if such things are found in my luggage?

[johnslat]

Dear fishmarket,
I think you'd be taking an unnecessary risk:

"Kuwaiti customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Kuwait of items such as firearms, religious material, pornography, and alcohol. Alcohol, pork products, and pornography are illegal in Kuwait. Travelers with prescription medications should carry them in their original packaging or bottle, as dispensed, and carry a copy of their prescription in case customs authorities question their importation into Kuwait. Kuwaiti customs authorities screen the baggage of all travelers entering Kuwait. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington, D.C. or Kuwait's Consulate in New York for specific information regarding customs requirements. "

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html

"The import and use of drugs, alcohol, pork products and obscene material are forbidden and can lead to imprisonment."

http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Kuwait/Do's+and+Don'ts

Regards,
John

[sheikh radlinrol]

[middleastman]

Although illegal as previously stated it is unlikely you will be caught and ive never heard of any westerners being jailed for it- dont know where the other posters got that from. Ive lived in kuwait for the last 8 years and done this on many, many occasions, as have most if not all the expats i know. I was caught once coming into kuwait with quite a lot on me and simply told to sign a paper promising not to do it again (yeah right). with regards to pork products i have never had them taken from me as most muslims dont like to go near the stuff and so turn a blind eye.

[fishmarket]

Thanks for all of the above. I am sure that I have read a number of posts relating to this topic which suggest that confiscation is typically all that happens. However, I gather that the authorities have purges from time to time when they take a stronger line. Would the authorities treat new arrivals any differently from expats already working there?

[lall]

[15yearsinQ8]

the purges i've been a witness to happened first to teachers who supplied their bosses with the LEAST amount of illegal booze/countraband

there are many tried and true methods of turning wine into lemonade and there are even some 'dogs' with corkscrew tails being raised on farms in wafra

stay here long enough you'll learn - maybe

as a side note - if you can't live without it , you're addicted

kuwait even has A.A.

[middleastman]