The General Administration of Customs has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 43.5 kilograms of chewing tobacco, the authority reported. Officers at an entry point detected the prohibited item during standard inspection procedures involving x-ray equipment and physical checks. The individual linked to the shipment was detained, and both the suspect and the contraband have been transferred to the General Department of Criminal Investigation. Legal procedures are now underway to address the violation under applicable customs laws.
Chewing tobacco remains strictly banned in Kuwait under a resolution from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The prohibition, established through Ministerial Resolution No. 216 of 2014, aims to safeguard public health from the well-documented risks associated with the product. Medical experts have associated regular use with elevated rates of oral diseases and cancers, prompting the regulatory stance that extends to import, sale and possession.
Similar interceptions have occurred with notable frequency at Kuwait’s airports and land borders. Times Kuwait reported in November 2025 that customs officials at the international airport seized 16 kilograms of the same substance from a suitcase arriving on a flight from India. In that instance, x-ray scanners triggered further examination that uncovered the hidden tobacco, leading to the passenger’s referral for prosecution.
Larger operations have yielded even more significant results in recent years. In June 2024, customs personnel at northern ports confiscated more than 3.6 million packets of chewing tobacco weighing over 13 tons, according to accounts from the period. These efforts demonstrate the scale of smuggling activities that the authority confronts on a regular basis across multiple ports of entry.
Kuwait’s customs operations benefit from advanced detection technology and interagency coordination with security bodies. The General Administration of Customs maintains heightened alertness at all border crossings, including the Nuwaiseeb land port, airports and sea terminals like Shuaiba. Such measures have contributed to a series of successful seizures that disrupt illicit trade networks targeting the local market.
The Ministry of Interior has supported these customs initiatives through joint investigations when cases involve potential distribution networks. In one notable 2025 case, four expatriates were arrested in connection with the sale of similar banned tobacco in a popular commercial area, a security source told local media. The combined actions reflect a multi-agency approach to addressing both smuggling and illegal trade within the country.
