Questions and answers
Answers about Sila for every party on a shipment file: what it does, what it doesn't, who sees what, and what it costs.
Is Sila mandatory?
No. Sila is a choice for companies and brokers. Customs requirements and systems stay as they are; Sila helps every party meet them with complete, checked documents.
Does Sila replace the customs system?
No. The licensed broker still files the declaration in the customs system, using Sila's declaration sheet. Customs decides in its own system, as today.
Who can see my documents?
A document reaches the importer first, who sends it on to the parties that use it: the broker, the bank, the shipping agent, customs or an approving agency, by hand or automatically as it comes in. Every view is logged in the file.
What does Sila cost?
Pricing depends on your role and the shipments you handle. Talk to us and we'll set out the terms for your business.
Which modes and ports does Sila cover?
Sea, air and land, from any origin. In Kuwait: Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, Kuwait International Airport and the land borders, including Nuwaiseeb.
Is an electronic bill of lading valid in Kuwait?
Sea waybills, electronic records and electronic delivery orders are recognised under Law No. 20 of 2014 on electronic transactions, as amended in 2025. A negotiable eBL relies on the issuing platform's rulebook, with paper as the fallback.
What happens to my documents over time?
Nothing submitted is deleted or overwritten. Every version is kept with the full history of the file.
Who decides on a shipment?
Customs, in its own system. Sila's checks are advisory, and Sila never files or decides on customs' behalf.
Can someone outside Sila verify a document?
Yes. Anyone can verify a Sila document by its number or the file itself, without an account.
Does Sila use AI to decide anything?
No. AI only reads uploaded documents into fields, and the sender confirms anything it wasn't sure of. Every check is a fixed rule that gives the same answer every time, and no decision is made by Sila.
How does Sila know which documents my goods need?
You pick the goods from the customs tariff, the port of loading and the terms of sale. The documents, approving agencies and duty follow by fixed rules, which rest on published government sources.
Can an eBL come from, or go to, another platform?
Yes. eBLs move between Sila and other eBL platforms over DCSA's PINT standard, and a carrier's own system can issue an eBL into Sila and receive its surrender over DCSA's Issuance and Surrender APIs.
Is Sila's hosting certified?
Sila runs on hosting independently audited to SOC 2 Type II and ISO/IEC 27001: Render for the application, Neon for the database. Sila's own ISO 27001 certification is in progress.