Are you moving here? Is your car paid off? Why not consider shipping it here, rather than buying/leasing/renting once you get here (and going through the hassle of financing)?
When I moved here in 1996, I intended to bring my car with me. I waited for 6 months to see if I wanted to actually stay in Kuwait, and then shipped over my 1990 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo. I felt like a piece of home was with me and I felt much more "settled" living here with my car.
You can import any car, 2007 and later (they don't import cars older than 5 years unless they are classified as "classic" - I don't know what the stipulation for that is). There are a lot of shipping companies (call any moving company in your home country - like exship.com, borderlinx.com, etc.). The cost for shipping it here is around 300KD ($1065 at today's rate).
I met with a dealer in Hawalli and for a fee of around 150KD, they will receive the car: Do the customs clearance, have your car cleaned, obtain 3rd party insurance, and get your car registration/tags once it arrives in Kuwait. (Note that you can check around Kuwait at any used car dealership where they sell imported cars and ask if they will provide the same service. You can also elect to do all this yourself, but with a lot of time and hassle.
You should consider the type of vehicle and if they normally import that type to Kuwait. For example, if you own a Saturn, there are no Saturns in Kuwait, no dealers, and most importantly NO spare parts. I used to have a Dodge Stealth. Although there is a Dodge dealership here in Kuwait, they never sold Stealths here. So, it was a nightmare to obtain spare parts for the car. Most brands are sold here. (If you have questions, you can ask me.)
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2016 Update:
If you want to ship your car to or from Kuwait, contact:
Haydee is a great help. Will assist you in completing all the formalities and paperwork. They are in alliance with Allied Pickfords - a US Shipping company. GFS does local and international moves. The moved me in/out of several different apartments and stored my apartment contents during my problems with my landlord.
29 comments:
I had no idea it was so inexpensive to ship a car here. What a great idea and post.
Hi!
I'm having a Hennessey Camaro built and I'll be shipping it to Saudi Arabia.
I'll need it servicing but don't want to take it to Bahrain (don't ask!).
I understand there are Hennessey trained mechanics in Kuwait who can service it - any idea which shop or company I need to talk to?
Thanks,
Mikhail
Expat - Yes and when I brought mine here, the guy had it washed and perfumed! Loved it.
Mikhail - You need to contact Al-Ghanim: http://www.alghanim.com/corpweb/Automotive/VehicleServices/index.htm.
Hi Desert Girl,
I was wondering if the opposite is possible, too? If I bought a car here and wanted to ship it out to either the US or Europe, is it doable? And for how much? Does it get the same treatment?
Thanks!
So, I shipped my car from Germany about 2 years ago and it was a complete nightmare. First, only Kuwaiti's are allowed to import cars to Kuwait so I had to actually send the vehicle to my fiend's wife. The Kuwaiti who's helping you will have to go with the shipping company agent to the ministry of commerce to get a import license. Shortly before the vehicle arrived I had to pay the import duty, which was about 400kd. After you get the vehicle out of the port, you'll have to get temporary import license plates. At this point, the vehicle is in the Kuwaiti's name and you'll have to get the vehicle inspected, registered, new plates, and transferred back into your name. Oh, and they also take the original US title for the vehicle....never to be seen again.
Oh, and the best part was the BMW dealer refused to even change the oil on the vehicle and said I had to pay 1000KD to 'open a file' with them. Their explanation was that too many Kuwaiti's are importing cars bought at auctions in other GCC countries and they're losing money on the sales. So, they simply refuse to do any warranty work or service on the vehicles. After spending 3 hours and talking to 5 different managers and threatening to call the dealer in Germany, they finally agreed to open the file for free. My friend ran into the same problem at the Audi dealer, who wanted 500KD to 'open a file' before they would perform service. Completely ridiculous.
Just not worth the headache....
why its only the last five years ?
simply because car dealers are so powerful, thus they stopped people from bringing cars for the their market not to be down, if people bring cheaper cars from the us no one would take brand new one from Kuwait.
new cars are more expensive in both countries and no warranty for us cars here in Kuwait.
RFT - I guess it depends on the type of vehicle you are bringing in, the declared price, etc. But - if you choose to have it imported and cleared by a dealer, then half of the problems you encountered would have been alleviated. Why do all that work when someone with the experience (and patience) can do it for you for a fee?
The dealers here have been notorious for making customers who import cars pay a fee to open a file. My recommendation to anyone with this problem is to write a letter directly to the manufacturer HQ (Germany) and complain. CC the local dealership. This usually gets a lot of dealership difficulties resolved. The more complaints HQ receives on a dealership, the more the dealership suffers in terms of allocation of new vehicles, etc. You SHOULD be able to get your BMW (or any other vehicle brand) serviced at an authorized service center without ever having to pay a fee to "open a file."
Anonymous 9:04 - This law was put into place years ago to combat the import of junk vehicles in Kuwait. It makes sense to me; they want to keep older vehicles off Kuwaiti roads where there are already thousands of cars (and accidents). Vehicles deteriorate in the Middle East much faster than many Western countries (poor maintenance, weather, etc.).
You can import "classic" vehicles like I said.
Does this Mr. Sameh also handle shipping your car from Kuwait to the States? I want to bring my Jeep home with me when I go but dont know the process.
Cars purchased in the Gulf have GCC specs. If these cars are to be shipped to USA, then these cars have to be modified as per the USA EPA AND DOT requirements. (Next to impossible to have same modifications) Hence my advise, Dont even try to ship a GCC specified car to USA. 6 months back my frd shipped his BMW Z4 2011 to USA thinking he will have it modified there But he was denied an import permit. Now - He cud either ship it back to Kuwait (shipping costs, penalty in usa, full registration formalities etc againnnnnnn at shuwaikh port - phewwww) or pay a HUGE amt in USA to get it modified as per EPA and DOT. He prefered the 2nd option. What he paid was insane: USD 41K. What was modified: Air bags (front, curtain side), odometer, rear tail lights, side view mirror, premium Engine wash). :-)
@Desert girl....i have imported 2010 Dodge charger from Canada.I am encountering a big problem in Kuwait to clear customs,because the insurance was not done in Canada.And kuwait does not accept vehicles without insurance.
So i am trying to Ship it to Dubai from where my friend will collect it. But the Customs office in Kuwait is making my life hell.One of the Mudeer has signed the Paper, wheras the other Mudeer who should also sign is saying he won't allow the car to be sent to dubai and wants me to send it back to canada.How can he say this, its a basic right of individual to be able to export his item.I have all the required documents including the Export license.i feel just because i am an expat i am being hated and tortured.
I have put in 6000 KD for buying this car and now this nightmare.
The shipping company says it cant be sent back to canada as per rules. Moreover i am paying 100 KD per day for the container and port fees in kuwait.Till now i have paid 800 KD already for this.
I would appreciate if you can help me with this. Do you know someone who has influence in such things to get my car to export it to dubai.I dont mind paying money for the service if they have the capability to get my car exported.
Hi Ahmed,
Dayum! What a mess. Unfortunately, though - this is a prime example of why you should go through a customs clearance agent or someone who knows the ins/outs of importing into Kuwait. Call my friend, Sameh, at 22622400, 90013399. Maybe he can get you out. Or, alternatively, call Agility which has a customs clearance branch or any of the moving companies like Global Frieight Systems (GFS).
What a good blog you have here. Please update it more often. This topics is my interest. Thank you
Instant car shipping quote
2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, Car looks like brand new, Single owner , No accident Record and car in perfect shape, This PATHFINDER comes with: Leather Steering Wheel, Heated Mirrors, Split Folding Rear Seats, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Running Boards,Tachometer, Roof Rack, Side Impact Airbag, Power Windows, Inside Hood Release, Bucket Seats, Anti-Theft, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Power Seat, Traction Control System, Power Door Locks, Air Conditioning, Dual Climate Controls, Adjustable Pedals, Power Steering, Alloy Wheels, Rear Window Defogger, 3rd Row Seating, Sunroof, Rear Window Wiper, CD Player, Block Heater, Cloth Interior, Dual Airbag, Tinted Windows, Power Mirrors, Security System, Intermittent Wipers, Power Brakes, Fog Lights.
contact me for more information and pictures, Only Serious buyer should contact me.
Email: r.aarontyler (at) gmail (dot) com
2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, Car looks like brand new, Single owner , No accident Record and car in perfect shape, This PATHFINDER comes with: Leather Steering Wheel, Heated Mirrors, Split Folding Rear Seats, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Running Boards,Tachometer, Roof Rack, Side Impact Airbag, Power Windows, Inside Hood Release, Bucket Seats, Anti-Theft, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Power Seat, Traction Control System, Power Door Locks, Air Conditioning, Dual Climate Controls, Adjustable Pedals, Power Steering, Alloy Wheels, Rear Window Defogger, 3rd Row Seating, Sunroof, Rear Window Wiper, CD Player, Block Heater, Cloth Interior, Dual Airbag, Tinted Windows, Power Mirrors, Security System, Intermittent Wipers, Power Brakes, Fog Lights.
contact me for more information and pictures, Only Serious buyer should contact me.
Email: r.aarontyler (at) gmail (dot) com
2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, Car looks like brand new, Single owner , No accident Record and car in perfect shape, This PATHFINDER comes with: Leather Steering Wheel, Heated Mirrors, Split Folding Rear Seats, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Running Boards,Tachometer, Roof Rack, Side Impact Airbag, Power Windows, Inside Hood Release, Bucket Seats, Anti-Theft, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Power Seat, Traction Control System, Power Door Locks, Air Conditioning, Dual Climate Controls, Adjustable Pedals, Power Steering, Alloy Wheels, Rear Window Defogger, 3rd Row Seating, Sunroof, Rear Window Wiper, CD Player, Block Heater, Cloth Interior, Dual Airbag, Tinted Windows, Power Mirrors, Security System, Intermittent Wipers, Power Brakes, Fog Lights.
contact me for more information and pictures, Only Serious buyer should contact me.
Email: r.aarontyler (at ) gmail (dot) com
Hi Desert Girl, first I all we love your blog as its very helpful and written in a friendly way :)
My question is about bringing our car from oman to kuwait, it is a 2008 model and we will ship it in 2014 so will they not accept it due to being over 5 years or is it still fine? thank you so much for your help
Hi Peter, I don't know the answer to that question, but my friend, Haydee will be able to help you. haydee@frontlinerelo.com. She can ship it for you also. Hope this helps.
Hello DG,
I want to ship a new toyota tundra truck to a friend in q8 ,
I want to purchase it new at a dealer in us, can i ship it not registered in us, also how much are the duty tax and fees in q8, also can ur friend help me out, thanx in advance, Art
Artan.... dude... no idea.
I recommend that you contact a shipping company that specializes in auto moves from the US. Global Freight Systems (GFS) in Kuwait does it http://www.gfslive.com/. They are partnered with Allied Pickfords from the US. Alternatively, you can contact my friend in Kuwait who may know (Samah - at the number on the post).
Thanks DG :)
anybody ever checked out a1 auto transport for shipping a car to kuwait?
Hi, can you please suggest an agent in Kuwait who could help clear my car through customs/arrange registration. The car is a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee which is being imported from Bahrain, thnx.
Hi wanted to know the approximate cost of the running board on the right side of my Dodge Charger 2014 model
Hi there
We are expats living in saudi Arabia since 2009. We are moving to Kuwait and want to bring our car and motorbike with us.
Have tried everywhere and everybody tells us it can'r be done.
Any advice would be most welcome, legal advice
Hello and good morning
heads up,
Im an American Expatriate being living in Kuwait for the last 3 years and I will be going back to USA(California)in 6 months and I would like to a German(BMW ONE YEAR OLD MODEL). What are the pros and cons ??
Please let me know what are the steps to follow
Hey there! I simply would like to offer you a huge thumbs
up for the great information you have got here on this post.
I am returning to your site for more soon.
Shipping Cars
Hello do you ship from bahrain to Kuwait?
Med11 - Call Haydee and she will give you advice and possibly a quote. 965-97114981
Hi There
I would highly appreciate if you could let me know, that whether I could import a dumper truck from Germany, the trucks are old models like 90's or 80's and 2000 as well.
Thank you
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