Deceptive Practices in Kuwait (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Kuwaiti national legislation, Amiri decrees, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Kuwait aggressively prosecutes deceptive commercial practices — MOCI inspectors conduct regular sweeps:
- False advertising — misleading claims about a product's quality, origin, price, or features is a criminal offence.
- Bait-and-switch tactics — advertising a low price to lure customers then pushing a more expensive alternative is prohibited.
- Sellers cannot hide fees or charges — the total price must be displayed before purchase.
- Counterfeit or imitation products must not be sold as genuine branded goods.
- Penalties include fines up to KWD 10,000 and potential imprisonment for serious or repeated offences.
- Kuwait's defamation laws are strict — but filing a factual MOCI complaint is always protected.
When does it apply?
- You were misled by advertising into buying a product that did not match its description.
- You were charged hidden fees not disclosed before purchase.
- You bought a product that turned out to be counterfeit.
What to Do If You Have Been Deceived by False Advertising in Kuwait
- Document the misleading claim — take photos of ads, packaging, or online listings.
- Call MOCI hotline 135 or file through the MOCI app.
- If you suffered financial loss, you can also file a civil lawsuit for damages.
- For counterfeit goods, report to the MOCI anti-fraud division.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not delete screenshots or evidence of misleading advertisements — you will need them for your complaint.
- Do not publicly name-and-shame the seller on social media before filing with MOCI — Kuwait's defamation laws are strict and you could face a counter-complaint.
- Do not buy from unlicensed or unverified sellers — they are harder to hold accountable through MOCI.
About Consumer Rights in Kuwait
Your consumer rights in Kuwait sit under Law No. 39 of 2014, enforced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) through hotline 135. You can return defective products for refund, replacement, or repair. Products must meet PAI standards with Arabic labelling. Price-fixing and counterfeit goods are criminal under the Competition Protection Law (Law No. 10 of 2007). E-commerce sits under Law No. 20 of 2014; cybercrime under Law No. 63 of 2015. Bank and finance complaints go to the Central Bank of Kuwait, which caps interest rates and salary deductions.
Common Questions
What is the deceptive practices protection right in Kuwait?
Kuwait aggressively prosecutes deceptive commercial practices — MOCI inspectors conduct regular sweeps:False advertising — misleading claims about a product's quality, origin, price, or features is a criminal offence.Bait-and-switch tactics — advertising a low price to lure customers then pushing a more expensive alternative is prohibited.Sellers cannot hide fees or charges — the total price must be displayed before purchase.Counterfeit or imitation products must not be sold as genuine branded goods.Penalties include fines up to KWD 10,000 and potential imprisonment for serious or repeated...
When does it apply — deceptive practices protection?
You were misled by advertising into buying a product that did not match its description.You were charged hidden fees not disclosed before purchase.You bought a product that turned out to be counterfeit.
What should I do if a business misled me with false advertising in Kuwait?
Document the misleading claim — take photos of ads, packaging, or online listings.Call MOCI hotline 135 or file through the MOCI app.If you suffered financial loss, you can also file a civil lawsuit for damages.For counterfeit goods, report to the MOCI anti-fraud division.
What should you NOT do — deceptive practices protection?
Do not delete screenshots or evidence of misleading advertisements — you will need them for your complaint.Do not publicly name-and-shame the seller on social media before filing with MOCI — Kuwait's defamation laws are strict and you could face a counter-complaint.Do not buy from unlicensed or unverified sellers — they are harder to hold accountable through MOCI.