Top OFW Safety Tips

Drinking and Getting Drunk – Kuwait

There’s no alcohol available in Kuwait, that means even hotels and restaurants don’t serve alcohol. The act of drinking alcohol privately is not illegal in itself, but buying and/or selling, bringing alcohol to a public place or being intoxicated in public areas, including a car as a passenger, are all serious crimes.

Different Penalties for Muslims and Non-Muslims

The Kuwait Penal Law particularly Article 206 provides penalties for alcohol related matters:

Article 206 (a)

Any person who brings, imports or manufactures alcoholic or intoxicating beverages for the purpose of trading shall be penalized for a period not exceeding 10 years.

Article 206(b)

If the intention of bringing, importing or manufacturing is not trading or promotion, the person shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding KWD 100 and should he repeat this act the penalty shall be for a period not more than six months and/or a fine of not more than KWD 100.

Article 206(d)

Any person who takes alcoholic or intoxicating beverages to a public place or to a place where he may be seen by others be it a public place or a private club, and any person who brings the alcoholic or intoxicating beverage to the said place for another person to consume shall be penalized for a period not exceeding six months and/or fined not more than KWD 50. Any person who is found drunk will be punished the same.

Duty Free Limits

All alcoholic beverages and associated materials, beef, pigs, pork, pigskin products (such as handbags, wallets), are denied entry into Kuwait. Penalties for attempting to smuggle restricted items are severe.

Being Drunk in Public, Drinking and Driving

Any person who takes alcoholic or intoxicating beverages to a public place or to a place where he may be seen by others be it a public place or a private club, and any person who brings the alcoholic or intoxicating beverage to the said place for another person to consume shall be penalized for a period not exceeding 6 months and/or fined not more than KWD 50. Any person who is found drunk will be punished the same.

Source:
Gulf Law | http://www.gulflaw.info/index.php