The Ministry of Health issued Ministerial Resolution No. 302 of 2025 in December last year that permits arriving patients to import limited quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances for personal treatment. Narcotics listed in relevant schedules may be brought in amounts sufficient for up to 15 days while psychotropic preparations are allowed for a maximum of one month. The resolution requires that medical reports or prescriptions be certified by official Kuwaiti authorities abroad before arrival according to the General Administration of Customs which will hold uncertified items until an airport clinic physician verifies them within 24 hours. Passengers must present these documents directly to customs officers upon landing at Kuwait International Airport.
Customs officials have stepped up enforcement of these medicine rules following the resolution that took effect on Dec. 15 2025. In an announcement on its guidelines the authority noted that immediate release occurs only when certifications come from Kuwaiti health offices or embassies in the country of issuance without further approvals needed. The measure responds to regional conditions that sometimes disrupt passport and medical services for expatriates while maintaining strict controls on controlled substances to prevent misuse.
Separately travelers must declare any cash or negotiable financial instruments valued at more than 3,000 Kuwaiti dinars or its foreign currency equivalent when entering or departing the country. A provision in the 2013 anti-money laundering law obliges such disclosures at ports and airports with the General Administration of Customs warning against attempts to divide large sums among family members to evade the threshold. Officials said proof of the funds’ source such as bank statements may be requested during inspections to ensure compliance with international standards on terrorism financing.
The General Administration of Customs lists several categories of prohibited items that incoming passengers cannot bring into Kuwait under any circumstances. These include alcoholic beverages pork products narcotics without proper certification weapons ammunition and pornographic materials along with certain unsealed food items and plants. Recent operations at the airport have resulted in seizures of concealed tablets such as Lyrica and Tramadol hidden in supplement packaging which were referred for legal action underscoring the ongoing vigilance at all terminals.
Additional restrictions apply to goods from specific origins and to live animals or birds from non-approved countries as detailed in the authority’s import regulations. The Directorate General of Customs coordinates with other ministries including the Ministry of Interior for permits on items like firearms that require special approvals prior to travel. Passengers planning to carry essential medications should verify the latest approved lists through Kuwaiti embassies to avoid delays or confiscations upon arrival.
Public reminders issued by the government in multiple languages this month have highlighted these requirements for both residents and visitors amid increased air traffic to Kuwait. The rules form part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and national security while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Travelers seeking further details can refer to official circulars published in the Kuwait Al Youm gazette.
