Qatar

Specific Information

All shipments are subject to 100% physical inspection. Additional inspection charges are billed based on the applicable tariff.

All sea import shipments inside a container must be strictly palletised. Non-palletised cargo attracts a penalty from the Customs Authority and Qterminals (the Port Authority).

The owner of the goods must be in Qatar during customs clearance. The residence visa must be obtained prior to the shipment's arrival.

All sea shipments that arrive at Doha port more than six months after the consignee's first entry date into Qatar are subject to 5% customs duty on the declared value, plus legalisation charges of approximately USD $175. Legalisation charges do not apply to personal effects imports.

The 5% GCC tariff standard applies. Personal baggage and gifts accompanied by the shipper are exempt provided the total value does not exceed QAR 3,000, the items are personal in nature and not commercial in quantity, and the shipper is not a frequent passenger at that customs station.

All items must be declared on the packing list in full. All prohibited items detained by Customs may be destroyed without the consignee's consent. The Customs Authority may also impose substantial fines for importing prohibited goods.

Computer equipment requires a separate clearance procedure through Qatar customs. If a computer is included in a shipment, specifications must be sent prior to arrival to obtain Qatar Telecommunications approval.

All printed matter, books, films, audio/video tapes, CDs, computer software, and similar media are subject to screening by the Ministry of Information and Education. Items are normally returned within 14 working days. These must be packed separately for easy access during inspection. Religious books require special approval from the Ministry of Education. Customers found to be carrying unauthorised material of this type are subject to severe penalties, including possible imprisonment.

Idols and figurines used for worship or as decoration must be declared prior to import, and prior approval from the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs is required.

New furniture is subject to 5% duty on CIF value plus legalisation charges. A legalised CIF invoice, certificate of origin, inventory, and original B/L or AWB are required. The invoice and certificate of origin must be endorsed by the Qatar Embassy at origin and received by the destination agent before the shipment arrives.

Duties & Taxes

Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union. The standard GCC tariff of 5% ad valorem applies to most imported goods based on the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value. Used household goods and personal effects are generally exempt from this duty, but the exemption is not automatic -- it is subject to customs discretion and requires complete documentation. In practice, duties at 5% of the customs-declared value are frequently assessed on sea shipments, particularly where documentation is incomplete or the consignee has been in Qatar for more than six months before the shipment arrives.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original vehicle registration certificate
• Original vehicle export certificate
• Vehicle details in Excel format per Customs standards
• Original Carnet de Passage (if importing by carnet basis)
• Insurance policy
• Invoice (if available)
• Original Bill of Lading or AWB
• NOC from the employer
• Qatar ID and passport copies of the actual consignee
• Clearing agency authorisation completed online before the vessel arrives (see ecustoms.gov.qa)
• Proof of ownership at origin and original import manifest

Specific Information

A 5% customs duty plus legalisation charges on the CIF value may be charged at the discretion of customs. Vehicles must be Gulf standard and left-hand drive.

Vehicles older than five years from the date of manufacture are not permitted to be imported without prior approval from the Customs Authority, the Metrology Department, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In practice, importing vehicles older than five years is effectively prohibited.

For all vehicles older than one year, a pre-alert with full vehicle details must be submitted seven to ten days before the vehicle's arrival.

The owner of the vehicle must be a resident in Qatar prior to registering the vehicle in their name. Registration must be done by the owner directly; relocation companies cannot assist with this process. Multiple vehicles may be imported by a single shipper, but each is subject to duties.

Pets

• Health certificate dated no more than 2 weeks prior to the date of arrival in Qatar, issued by a government-approved veterinary clinic at origin
• Import licence issued in Qatar (to be arranged prior to shipping)
• Health certificate must be faxed to the destination agent at least 3 days before the animal's arrival

Qatar permits the import of cats and dogs subject to the following conditions.

The health certificate must be issued by a government-approved veterinary clinic and must confirm the animal is in good health with current vaccinations.

The following breeds require at least two weeks' advance notice and may be refused entry at the discretion of Qatar authorities: Boxers, Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Pugs, Great Danes, Dobermans, Shar Peis, and Japanese Akitas.

All pets are subject to medical examination at customs before clearance.

For other animals (birds, reptiles, rodents, etc.), requirements vary by species. Consult the destination agent well in advance. Certain species are prohibited under CITES.

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