Kuwait Imposes General Product Restrictions via Ministerial Decision 2166 for 2025

Kuwait has enacted broad regulatory measures affecting various products through Ministerial Decision number 2166 for 2025.

KUWAIT – GENERAL PRODUCT

Kuwait Tightens Control on General Imports

A new ministerial decision creates wide-ranging oversight for imported goods, but details are sparse.

What changed

New oversight for all general products introduced under Ministerial Decision 2166 for 2025.

Products must comply with the terms outlined in WTO document G/SPS/N/KWT/201.

Scope applies to a broad, undefined category of goods without a specific product list.

Who it affects

Importers of general goods must comply with the new ministerial decision.

Kuwait — general product oversight via Ministerial Decision 2166

Regulation Analysis: Ministerial Decision No. 2166 of 2025 (Mexico) – Kuwait’s Emergency Measures on Poultry Imports

Kuwait has enacted Ministerial Decision No. 2166 of 2025 to impose an immediate ban on poultry meat and edible offal imports from Mexico due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The measure aligns with international standards and targets specific product categories under the Harmonized System (HS) and International Classification for Standards (ICS).

Key Provisions of the Regulation

  1. Scope of the Ban
    • Products Covered:
    • Fresh, chilled, or frozen poultry meat and edible offal (HS code 0207)1.
    • Meat, meat products, and other animal produce (ICS code 67.120)1.
    • Geographic Target: The ban applies exclusively to Mexico1.
  1. Rationale and Objectives
    • Primary Goals:
    • Food safety and animal health1.
    • Prevention of HPAI transmission to humans and Kuwait’s poultry population1.
    • Urgent Justification: The measure is necessary to mitigate the risk of HPAI entering Kuwait, as declared by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) under Chapter 10.4 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code1.
  1. Compliance with International Standards
    • The decision conforms to OIE guidelines for HPAI control1.
    • No deviations from the international standard are reported1.
  1. Enforcement and Oversight
    • Responsible Authorities:
    • Ministry of Commerce and Industry (policy enforcement).
    • Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) (implementation and inquiries)1.
    • Contact Points:
    • PAFN (National Notification Authority and Enquiry Point).
    • Address: 207, Sabah Al Salem, Kuwait.
    • Website:1(http://www.pafn.gov.kw)1.
  1. Effective Date
    • The ban enters into force on 24 December 20251.

Compliance Requirements Table

RegulationKey RequirementDeadline/ThresholdAuthority
Ministerial Decision No. 2166/2025Prohibition on imports of fresh, chilled, frozen, or processed poultry meat and offal (HS 0207, ICS 67.120) from Mexico1.24 December 2025Ministry of Commerce and Industry / PAFN1
Compliance with OIE Chapter 10.4 (HPAI control)1.Immediate enforcementPAFN1
Stakeholders must direct inquiries to PAFN (National Enquiry Point)1.Not specifiedPAFN1

Summary Answer

Kuwait’s Ministerial Decision No. 2166 of 2025 imposes an emergency ban on poultry meat and edible offal imports from Mexico, effective 24 December 2025, to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The measure targets HS code 0207 and ICS code 67.120 products, aligning with OIE Chapter 10.41. Enforcement is led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), which serves as the designated contact point for compliance inquiries1. No exemptions or deviations from international standards are specified.

Sources

  1. Ministerial Decision number 2166 for 2025 (Mexico) https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SPS/NKWT201.pdf&Open=True

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