The customer/shipper must be present in Qatar when the shipment arrives with a valid Qatar residence ID. Mostly, household goods are free from import duties and taxes if proven to be solely for personal use and will not be sold ( other terms apply).

• Valid passport/visa/residence permit visa
• Packed items list (in English)
• Bill of Lading ( OBL) / express or telex release/airwaybill (AWB)
• Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( diplomats)
• Authorization letter (in Arabic)
• Employment letter (NOC)

The Customs Audit Department has the right to check any duty/tax discrepancies within 5 years from the date of importation. If they believe that the duties were initially undercharged, an additional invoice will be issued for the customs duties. If the client fails to submit the bills/invoices for the goods, QAR 500 per shipment penalty will be applied.

• New furniture ( Invoices and certificate of origin are required)
• Cigarettes (up to 400 are free from charges)
• Computer equipment might become subject to the individual clearance procedure
• Gifts and personal items (up to QAR 3,000 are free from charges)
• Food products (must be in original packaging, should not contain any ingredients that are not allowed by Shaira law, maximum of 1 medium box)

The following items are prohibited from import to Qatar:

1. Radioactive products
2. Pork and pork products
3. Alcohol
4. Military items, firearms, weapons and ammunition (unless licensed by local authorities)
5. Narcotics and drugs
6. Flammables, explosives and fireworks
7. Figurines, statues, idols from any material
8. Nude/pornographic materials; political and religious materials are prohibited by the Qatari government and Sharia laws. Any entertainment objects (books, films, records, pictures) that do not comply with government standards and the Islamic faith are subject to severe penalties/ jail terms.
9. Bones and skin from animals
10. Endangered animal articles
11. Counterfeit and false money/products
12. Binoculars and drones
13. Extraordinary value items ( precious stones, stamps, coin collections, jewelry, bonds etc.)
14. Toys and gambling items
15. Items manufactured by/from Israel

Any vehicle imported into Qatar becomes subject to a 5% customs duty, but, possibly, if proven to be in personal use for the past 3 years and the owner has no intention to sell or dispose of it within the next year, could be waived. The following criteria must be met when moving a car to Qatar:

1. A vehicle must not be older than 5 years (does not apply for motorbikes)
2. The vehicle can be registered only if the owner holds a Qatari residentship
3. Gulf standards must be met
4. The car must be left-hand driven
5. Any vehicle must be deep cleaned and emptied from any personal effects
6. Two separate bills of lading are required for vehicles imported from GCC under MAQASA if placed in one container together with household goods ( one for a car and one for personal items). Both will be cleared and invoices will be sent separately.

As of today, there is one animal per person/family member policy in Qatar that helps to regulate pets coming into the country. Cats and dogs must be a minimum of seven months old when entering Qatar. If all the criteria are met, no quarantine is required.

In order to move pets to Qatar, you must obtain the following required documents:

2. Valid pet passport with owner’s name, phone number and address
3. Owner’s passport
4. An identifiable microchip
5. Vaccination record
6. Rabies vaccination made more than a month prior, but less than a year to the importation date + valid rabies test
7. Import permit from one of the Department of Animal Resources’ veterinary clinic’s

Qatar use a G plug type, similar to the one that is used in Britain, something to be mindful of when packing to move to Qatar. The standard voltage in Qatar is 240v.