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| Export Requirements for Kuwait |
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KU-23 (Feb 12, 2013)
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Eligible/Ineligible Products
- Eligible Product
- Meat and meat products - beef, lamb, mutton, and goat
- All poultry and poultry products produced on or after January 10, 2012 are
eligible for export to Kuwait. For production prior to January 10, 2012, only
poultry products that have been cooked to 70° C are eligible.
- Ineligible Product
- Pork and pork products
- Beef from the State of Oklahoma. Beef from cattle originating from Oklahoma and beef
from any location that is processed or prepared in Oklahoma is not eligible for export to Kuwait.
The Kuwait Health authority accepts beef from all U.S. states except the State of Oklahoma.
Note: Shipments of poultry and poultry products for the U.S. military
are eligible.
Processing Requirements
- Meat and Poultry
- Pork tissues or lard are not permitted in formulated products.
- Products containing textured vegetable products are permitted in formulated products.
Labeling Requirements
- Storage temperature must be indicated in the refrigeration statement on the
boxes to fully clarify the type of product being handled. (Example: "Keep
Frozen - Store At Or Below __ degrees Centigrade; Keep Chilled (Or
Refrigerated) - Store Between __degrees Centigrade and degrees Centigrade")
- Fresh/frozen and canned meat and poultry - The label of all meat and poultry products (raw and processed)
must bear the following features:
- Country of origin.
- Statement that product has been slaughtered according to Islamic
principles.
- Bilingual - English and Arabic
- The English section of the label should state the name of the product and
the name and address of the manufacturer, producer, packer, distributor,
exporter or importer. Product names may deviate from the U.S. standards if approved
according to 9 CFR 317.7 or 381.128. For example, chicken from the U.S. is commonly
labeled "American Chicken".*
- Metric net weight is required. Lettering and numbers for unit metric
weight must be in Arabic (NOTE: Gross weight is required for commercial
invoices but is not required for product labels.)
- Production (slaughtered or freezing) and expiration dates must be on
individually packaged product. Date format requirements for Kuwait must
conform to the following: Day/Month/Year for products with a shelf life of
three (3) months or less. For products with a shelf life of
more than three (3) months, both the Day/Month/Year and Month/Year formats
are acceptable (text is permitted only if the name of the month is written in full).
- The following methods of labeling are alternatives to the
requirements for labeling precut and packaged fresh/frozen meat:
- Stickers may be used but must not obliterate label terminology and must
be self-destructive on removal. Stick-on labels covering required label
features are not permitted. No sticker carrying the production and/or
expiration date is allowed on any product.
- Inserts may be used but must be accompanied by production and expiration
dates. Inserts must be made of approved materials.
Certification Requirements
- Obtain FSIS Form 9060-5 - Meat and Poultry Certificate of
Wholesomeness. All FSIS Form 9060-5 certificates must be dated and
have the signature and title of an FSIS veterinarian.
- The remarks section of FSIS Form 9060-5 requires a statement saying that beef
shipped is not from the State of Oklahoma.
Military Shipments
The Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs may exempt shipments consigned to the U.S. military from local
import regulations. Without this exemption, product will be subjected to inspection in accordance with
local regulations. Each shipment consigned to the military should be accompanied by FSIS Form 9060-5 with a
statement in the "Remarks" section that indicates: "Product for use by U.S. military."
Handling/Storage Requirements
- Product Requiring Special Handling Only - Kuwait requires that instructions
for consumers concerning storage, preparation and other special handling
requirements accompany all shipments.
Plants Eligible to Export
All Federally inspected meat or poultry plants are eligible to export to
Kuwait.
Information Regarding Halal Certification
The following is presented as information for the exporter. FSIS is not responsible for certifying that
products intended for export to Muslim countries meet appropriate requirements for religious slaughter.
Procedures for export certification do not include agency oversight of the Halal process or review of
the authenticity of the Halal certificate.
Islamic Slaughter Certification
The exporter must obtain a Certificate of Islamic Slaughter from a member of an Islamic Center or
Islamic organization. A certificate of Islamic (Halal) Slaughter is a certificate issued by a member of a
Muslim organization recognized by the importing country to provide this service; the certificate states that
animals were slaughtered according to Muslim religious requirements. This certificate must accompany products
labeled "Halal". The certificate must be endorsed by the Kuwait Embassy or Consulate (or any other
Arab Embassy or Consulate in the absence of the Kuwait Embassy or Consulate).
Halal Certification is required for the following products:
- Fresh/frozen unprocessed meat and poultry products. Products bearing Halal label claims must
be accompanied by an appropriate Halal certificate or a written assurance from the exporter that
an appropriate Halal certificate will be supplied to accompany that shipment before it reaches
its destination.
- Raw materials used in processed products with Halal label claims must be accompanied by
an appropriate Halal certificate.
For assistance in locating the nearest Kuwait Consulate, contact:
The Embassy of the State of Kuwait
2940 Tilden Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 966-0702
KU-23 (Feb 12, 2013)
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