Bills of Lading Legalization for Kuwait

A Bill of Lading (B/L) is a crucial document in international trade, serving as proof of shipment, a title of goods, and a contract between the exporter and the carrier. When exporting goods to Kuwait, the Bill of Lading must be properly authenticated and legalized to ensure its acceptance by Kuwaiti Customs authorities and importers.

The U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington, D.C., facilitates the legalization of Bills of Lading issued in the United States for official use in Kuwait.

How to Legalize a Bill of Lading for Kuwait

  1. Issuance by the Carrier or Freight Forwarder:
    Ensure that the Bill of Lading is officially issued and signed by the authorized carrier or shipping line.

  2. Notarization (if applicable):
    Some Kuwaiti authorities require notarization to confirm the authenticity of the issuing party’s signature.

  3. State Authentication:
    If the document is notarized, it must be authenticated by the Secretary of State in the state where the notary is commissioned.

  4. U.S. Department of State Authentication:
    The authenticated Bill of Lading must then be verified by the U.S. Department of State.

  5. Legalization by the Embassy of Kuwait:
    Finally, the document is submitted to the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington, D.C., for legalization, confirming its validity for use in Kuwait.

Commercial Export Documents Processing Time & Fees.

Service Fees Processing Time
Service fee $225 -
National chamber of commerce stamp $255 5
Embassy of Kuwait for Commercial Invoice $50 6
Embassy of Kuwait for Certificate Of Origin $75 -
Embassy of Kuwait for Packing List $75 -
Total $680 11 business days

Required Documents

  • Original Bill of Lading (or certified copy)

  • Related commercial invoice or packing list

  • Copy of the applicant’s passport or U.S. ID

  • Authorization letter (if submitted by a third party)

Important Notes

  • The Bill of Lading must clearly list the consignee, shipper, and product details.

  • All information on the B/L should match the accompanying commercial documents.

  • Incomplete, unsigned, or altered Bills of Lading will not be accepted for legalization.