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Mandatory Product Labeling Requirements
Under Article 12, every producer or importer — referred to as a "supplier" (المزود) under the law — must label products in Arabic. The label must include information required by:
- Kuwait's approved national standards (Kuwait Standard Specifications)
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standards, and
- Any other applicable laws or executive regulations
What Must Appear on the Label?
At minimum, the following must be clearly stated in Arabic:
- Product specifications
- Date of production / manufacturing date
- Expiry date or best-before date
- Country of origin
- Any other data required by the executive regulations
What this means for expats: If you pick up a product in a Kuwait supermarket or store and it lacks an Arabic label with these details — particularly an expiry date — the supplier is in violation of the law. You are entitled to refuse the product and report the seller.
Language Rules for Labels and Advertising
Article 26 confirms that labels and advertising must be in Arabic at minimum. Other languages may be added alongside Arabic, but Arabic cannot be omitted. Expats from non-Arabic speaking countries should look for bilingual labels — if a product only has foreign language labeling with no Arabic, it may be an import violation.
Pricing Transparency Rules
Article 13 requires all suppliers to display prices clearly and directly on every product offered for sale. Service providers must similarly display the fees for each service they offer.
Key Pricing Rules:
- Every item must have a visible price tag — there are no exceptions for busy shops or market stalls
- Temporary discounts and special promotions on publicly offered goods are only permitted with a license from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Broadcasting commercial advertisements for sales or promotions without MCI authorization is prohibited
Practical tip for expats: If you are charged a price at the register that differs from the displayed price, you are legally entitled to pay the lower displayed price. Keep an eye out for unlicensed discount events — they may be operating illegally.
Installment Sales Disclosures
Article 18 adds important protections for consumers buying on installment plans (taqseet), which are common in Kuwait for electronics, furniture, and vehicles. Before signing any installment agreement, the supplier must disclose:
- The identity of the provider offering the installment plan
- The cash price of the goods or service
- The installment period (duration)
- The number and amount of each installment
- The total amount payable under the installment plan
- Any additional charges or fees
Warning for expats: Never sign an installment contract without receiving all these details in writing. Under Article 11, any contract clause that reduces your rights as a consumer is automatically void — but you still need documentation to prove what was agreed.
Advertising Restrictions
False and Misleading Advertising
Article 22 strictly prohibits advertising goods or services using false or misleading information. This includes:
- Advertisements containing false claims about product quality, origin, or features
- Advertising expired or spoiled goods
- Promoting goods that fail to meet mandatory quality standards
Goods are considered adulterated or spoiled (مغشوشة) if they do not conform to approved standards, are unfit for use, or have exceeded their expiry date.
Advertising License Requirement
Article 25 (read with Article 22 of Law No. 3 of 2006) requires that all advertising of goods and services must be licensed by the relevant administrative authorities before publication. Advertisers operating without a license are in breach of the law.
Penalties for Advertising Violations
Under Article 30, any advertiser who violates Articles 25 or 26 (unlicensed advertising or advertising without Arabic language) faces:
- Imprisonment of up to 6 months
- A fine of up to KD 5,000
- Or both
However, if the advertiser is not the supplier and can prove the technical information in the ad was impossible to verify, they may be exempt from penalties.
Red Flags to Watch for When Shopping
As an expat consumer in Kuwait, report to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry if you encounter:
- Products with no Arabic label or missing expiry dates
- Shops advertising unlicensed sales or promotions
- Prices displayed differently at the shelf versus at checkout
- Online or print advertisements making exaggerated or unverifiable claims
- Sellers pushing installment contracts without providing full cost disclosure
Supplier Identity Requirements
Article 19 requires suppliers to include their registration and trade details on all correspondence, contracts, and documents — including electronic documents. This means you should always be able to identify who you are buying from. If a seller cannot or will not provide their trade registration details, treat it as a warning sign.