Complete Guide: Kuwait's Decree 10/2026 — What Every Online Seller Must Know
Kuwait Decree 10/2026 (Amiri Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026, the Digital Commerce Law) imposes 18 compliance obligations on all online sellers in Kuwait. Key requirements include MOCI registration, Arabic invoicing with Hijri dates, mandatory 14-day return policies, 5-year customer data retention, influencer disclosure rules, and use of CBK-licensed payment gateways. The decree contains 45 articles across 10 chapters. Non-compliance penalties include fines up to 10,000 KWD, imprisonment, or permanent closure of digital storefronts. Enforcement begins six months after Official Gazette publication.
In March 2026, the State of Kuwait published Decree No. 10/2026 in the Official Gazette, formally titled "Decree Law Regarding Regulating Digital Commerce." This legislation represents the most significant regulatory framework for e-commerce in Kuwait's history. Spanning 45 articles across 10 chapters, it establishes comprehensive rules that will reshape how online businesses operate in and serve the Kuwaiti market.
The compliance deadline falls approximately six months from the date of publication — around September 2026. That window may seem generous, but given the breadth of changes required, sellers who delay risk running out of time. This guide breaks down everything you need to know: who must comply, what the 18 core requirements are, what penalties exist for non-compliance, and the steps you should take starting today.
Who Must Comply with Decree 10/2026?
The scope of this law is deliberately broad. Article 2 of the Decree makes clear that it applies to all forms of digital commercial activity directed at consumers in the State of Kuwait. In practical terms, that means:
- E-commerce websites — whether built on Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or custom platforms
- Instagram and social media sellers — including individual sellers operating personal accounts
- WhatsApp sellers — anyone taking orders and payments through messaging apps
- Marketplace sellers — sellers operating through platforms, local or international, that serve Kuwait consumers
- Influencers — individuals who promote products or services for compensation, whether monetary or in-kind
- Service providers — freelancers and businesses offering digital services to Kuwait-based customers
A critical point: there is no exemption for small sellers or individuals. Whether you run a large e-commerce operation or sell handmade goods through your personal Instagram account, the Decree applies to you. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has made it clear that the size of the operation does not determine applicability — the nature of the activity does.
The 18 Compliance Requirements
Decree 10/2026 establishes a set of obligations that can be grouped into six categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of each requirement, with references to the relevant articles where applicable.
Business Identity & Registration1 MOCI Registration
Under Articles 4 and 5, every person or entity engaged in digital commerce must register their online business activity with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This is a prerequisite for legal operation. The registration process requires disclosure of business type, digital channels used, and the nature of goods or services offered.
2 Display Business Details
Article 6 requires that every digital storefront — whether a website, Instagram bio, or marketplace listing — must prominently display the seller's legal business name, commercial registration (CR) number, and accessible contact information. This must be visible before a consumer initiates a transaction.
3 Business Address
Sellers must maintain and display a physical business address that is accessible to consumers and regulatory authorities. P.O. boxes alone do not satisfy this requirement. For home-based businesses, MOCI is expected to issue specific guidance on acceptable address formats.
4 Clear Product Descriptions
Articles 8 and 9 mandate that all goods and services must be described accurately and completely. This includes specifications, dimensions, ingredients or materials, country of origin, and any limitations or conditions of use. Vague or incomplete descriptions are treated as a violation.
5 Arabic Language Requirement
Article 7 stipulates that all customer-facing communications, invoices, terms and conditions, privacy policies, and product information must be available in Arabic. Bilingual presentation (Arabic and English) is acceptable, but Arabic alone is the minimum legal standard. This applies to automated messages, chatbot responses, and email confirmations as well.
6 Customer Communication Channels
Sellers must provide at least one accessible and responsive communication channel through which consumers can submit inquiries, complaints, or requests. This channel must be clearly displayed on the storefront and must provide responses within a reasonable timeframe, as defined by forthcoming MOCI guidelines.
7 Transparent Pricing
Under Article 10, all prices must be displayed in Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) and must be fully inclusive of taxes, fees, and any additional charges. Hidden fees revealed only at checkout are explicitly prohibited. If shipping costs vary, the range or calculation method must be disclosed before the consumer commits to a purchase.
8 Multiple Payment Methods
Article 12 requires sellers to offer at least two payment options. While the Decree does not prescribe specific methods, the practical expectation is that KNET (Kuwait's national payment network) and at least one additional method (credit card, digital wallet, or cash on delivery) be available.
9 14-Day Return Policy
Articles 19 through 22 establish a consumer's right to return products within 14 calendar days of delivery, without needing to provide a reason. Certain categories are exempt (perishable goods, customized items, digital content that has been accessed), but these exceptions must be clearly communicated before purchase. This is one of the most impactful provisions for sellers, and implementing it correctly is essential. For a detailed guide on structuring your return policy, see our article on Kuwait return policy compliance.
10 Refund to Original Payment Method
When a return is accepted, Article 23 requires that the refund be issued to the same payment method used for the original purchase. Store credit or voucher-only refunds are not compliant unless the consumer explicitly agrees to an alternative arrangement.
11 Terms & Conditions
A comprehensive set of terms and conditions must be published and made accessible to consumers before they complete a purchase. These must cover the seller's obligations, the consumer's rights, dispute resolution mechanisms, cancellation procedures, and governing law (Kuwait). Consent to terms must be explicit — pre-checked boxes are not sufficient.
12 Privacy Policy
Article 30 requires sellers to publish a privacy policy that clearly explains what personal data is collected, the purposes for which it is used, how it is stored and protected, and whether it is shared with third parties. This policy must be accessible from every page of the storefront.
13 Complaints Process
Sellers must implement a formal complaint handling mechanism (Article 26). This includes a documented process for receiving, acknowledging, investigating, and resolving complaints. Records of all complaints and their resolutions must be maintained and made available to MOCI upon request.
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Run the Free Checklist →14 Arabic Invoicing
Every transaction must produce an invoice that includes Arabic text (Article 11). The invoice must contain the seller's legal name and CR number, buyer details, itemized product or service descriptions, prices in KWD, applicable taxes, date of transaction, and a unique invoice number. For practical implementation guidance, including templates and automation options, see our guide to Arabic invoicing in Kuwait.
15 Record Retention (5 Years)
Article 33 mandates that sellers retain all transaction records for a minimum of five years from the date of each transaction. This includes invoices, order details, communications with customers, delivery confirmations, return and refund records, and complaint logs. These records must be produced if requested during a MOCI inspection.
16 Influencer Disclosure
Articles 35 and 36 address influencer marketing directly. Any paid promotion — whether compensated with money, free products, commissions, or other benefits — must be clearly and conspicuously labeled as an advertisement. The disclosure must be in Arabic and placed where a consumer will see it before engaging with the content. Both the influencer and the brand are liable for non-compliance.
17 Honest Advertising
Article 37 prohibits misleading claims, fake reviews, fabricated testimonials, and deceptive pricing practices (such as inflating prices before applying a "discount"). Product images must accurately represent the item being sold. MOCI has the authority to order the removal of non-compliant advertisements and to impose penalties on the responsible parties.
18 Data Protection
Articles 29 through 32 establish data protection obligations. Sellers must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect customer personal data from unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure. In the event of a data breach, the seller must notify affected consumers and MOCI within a timeframe to be specified by implementing regulations. Cross-border data transfers must comply with conditions that MOCI will define in supplementary guidelines.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Enforcement Measures Under Decree 10/2026
- Financial penalties: Fines of up to 10,000 KWD (approximately $32,500 USD) per violation. Each requirement breached constitutes a separate violation, meaning cumulative exposure can be substantial.
- Imprisonment: For serious or willful violations, particularly those involving fraud or systematic consumer harm, penalties include imprisonment of up to one year.
- Store closure: MOCI has the authority to order temporary suspension or permanent closure of a non-compliant digital storefront.
- Doubled penalties for repeat offenders: Entities found in violation a second time face doubled fines and more severe enforcement action.
- Unannounced inspections: MOCI inspectors have the authority to conduct compliance reviews without prior notice, including examination of transaction records, customer communications, and advertising content.
It is worth emphasizing that enforcement is not theoretical. MOCI has publicly signaled its intent to actively monitor compliance, and the Decree provides the legal tools to do so effectively. The combination of per-violation fines, imprisonment provisions, and closure authority makes this one of the most consequential e-commerce regulations in the Gulf region.
Timeline: Key Dates
Compliance Timeline
- March 2026: Decree No. 10/2026 published in the Official Gazette. The law is now in force.
- September 2026 (approximate): End of the six-month grace period. Full compliance required for all sellers.
- Ongoing: MOCI expected to issue detailed implementation guidelines and supplementary regulations during the grace period.
Sellers should not wait for the implementation guidelines before beginning preparation. The 18 requirements outlined above are derived directly from the Decree text and are not expected to change. Guidelines will primarily address procedural details — such as specific registration forms, data breach notification timelines, and acceptable address formats — rather than altering the core obligations.
What Should You Do Now?
With the compliance deadline approaching, here is a practical action plan for online sellers operating in or targeting Kuwait:
- Audit your current compliance. Assess your business against all 18 requirements listed above. Identify gaps and prioritize the most critical ones (MOCI registration, Arabic language support, return policy). You can use the Zelicra compliance checklist to do this in under five minutes.
- Register with MOCI if you have not already done so. This is the foundational requirement and may have processing time.
- Update your storefront to display required business information — legal name, CR number, contact details, and physical address — in Arabic.
- Implement a 14-day return policy that meets the requirements of Articles 19–22. Clearly state any exceptions before purchase.
- Set up Arabic invoicing. Every transaction needs a compliant Arabic invoice. This may require changes to your payment and order management systems. See our Arabic invoicing guide for specifics.
- Create or update your terms and conditions and privacy policy in Arabic. These documents must be accessible and require explicit consumer consent.
- Establish a complaint handling process with documented procedures and record-keeping.
- Review all advertising and influencer partnerships to ensure proper disclosure and truthful claims.
The six-month grace period is a preparation window, not a postponement. Sellers who begin now will have adequate time to implement changes methodically. Those who wait until the final weeks will face a far more difficult — and risky — scramble.
For a broader overview of the Decree's structure and its position in Kuwait's regulatory landscape, visit our main compliance platform.
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