Customs: 2,236 food items seized in six containers before export to Sri Lanka

Inspectors from the General Directorate of Customs at Shuwaikh Port seized 2,236 items of subsidized food supplies loaded into six 40-foot containers destined for export to the Republic of Sri Lanka, after inspections revealed the presence of subsidized foodstuffs. An inventory of the containers’ contents resulted in the seizure of the following quantities: * 211 cans of subsidized milk. * 349 bags of subsidized flour. * 435 bottles of Dalal cooking oil. * 9 cans of subsidized Dalal vegetable ghee. * 38 bags of subsidized lentils. * 787 packs of subsidized pasta. * 49 bags of subsidized rice. * 35 bags of subsidized sugar. * 323 packs of subsidized tomato paste. According to a statement issued by Kuwait Customs, the seized containers belong to several shipping and export companies. They were intercepted while completing export procedures through the Shuwaikh Port gateway, prior to their departure from the country. This seizure is part of efforts to safeguard the country’s food security, preserve the strategic reserve of essential goods, ensure that subsidized food supplies reach their rightful beneficiaries, and prevent their smuggling or misuse in illegal export operations that could affect the availability of goods and the stability of supplies in the domestic market. Based on the inspection results, the General Directorate of Customs has taken the prescribed customs and legal measures regarding the containers and seized items, and referred the case to the competent authorities to complete the necessary procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The General Directorate of Customs reaffirmed its continued commitment to tightening oversight at all customs checkpoints and combating attempts to smuggle or illegally export subsidized food supplies in violation of the laws and regulations governing such activities, and to take legal action against anyone proven to be involved in such incidents.