Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Kuwait

The Middle East · 1 port guide

In 2025 the United States exported $2.5 billion of goods to Kuwait and imported $1.4 billion from there. Kuwait ranked 63rd among US export markets and 81st among sources of US imports.

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6 ports in Kuwait recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$2.5BUp 2.4% on 2024 ($2.4 billion)
US imports, 2025
$1.4BDown 15.4% on 2024 ($1.7 billion)
Goods balance
$1.1BUS surplus
Export market rank
63rdAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
81stAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Kuwait

Vehicles and parts (chapter 87) led US exports to Kuwait at $647.8 million, 26% of the total. The top three chapters made up 46%.

  1. 87Vehicles and parts$647.8 million26.3%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$253.0 million10.3%
  3. 38Miscellaneous chemical products$232.4 million9.4%
  4. 30Pharmaceutical products$188.3 million7.6%
  5. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$181.6 million7.4%

US imports from Kuwait

Mineral fuels and oils (chapter 27) led US imports from Kuwait at $1.4 billion, 96% of the total. The top three chapters made up 99%.

  1. 27Mineral fuels and oils$1.4 billion95.8%
  2. 98Special classification provisions$45.9 million3.3%
  3. 72Iron and steel$4.3 million0.3%
  4. 38Miscellaneous chemical products$3.5 million0.2%
  5. 99Special import reporting provisions$1.1 million0.1%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Kuwait, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Kuwait requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Kuwait.

Exports through the port, 2025
$93.0M3.8% of the US total with Kuwait
Leading export goods
Miscellaneous chemical productsHS chapter 38, $20.7 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$562K0.0% of the US total with Kuwait
Leading import goods
Iron and steelHS chapter 72, $305 thousand

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Kuwait

1 port in Kuwait has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Kuwait: Al Kuwayt, Doha Harbor, Mina Abd Allah, Mina Ash Shuaybah and Mina Az Zawr.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.