Qatar

Cargo Restrictions:

Please find the list of restricted commodities here:

Goods Restricted by Tariff – General Authority of Customs

https://www.customs.gov.qa/English/PassengersIndividualsPortal/Pages/IndividualsImporting.aspx

• Only licensed importers can import Bitumen into Qatar.
• For any import shipment arriving in Qatar with personal effects with a private individual as the consignee, the notify party must be a registered forwarding agent with complete details (address, telephone, fax, email) or a C/O address.
• Palletization of cargo is required in both these scenarios:
• All import shipments from foreign countries in TRANSIT within GCC countries
• All import shipments from GCC countries

Weight regulations:

As per Qatar Traffic Regulations:

• Cargo weight + tare weight + trailer weight should not exceed 42M/tons if container loaded on TWIN AXLE trailer
• Cargo weight + tare weight + trailer weight should not exceed 45M/tons if container loaded on TRI AXLE trailer
• There are no specific weight restrictions if container loads in MULTI AXLE LOW BED trailer.

Terminal Limitations:

• Normal Cargo Handling Capacity 35 M/Tons
• Maximum crane capacity 65 M/Tons prior approval to be obtained before loading from transshipment port. Additional charges applicable for additional equipment used.
• 24×7 operations except during Ramadhan season and summer season.

Import

Invoice (Original) must be signed and stamped by the shipper, duly attested by Chamber of Commerce.

• Invoice information must mention “Commercial Invoice” or “Invoice” with reference number and correct HS code, number of packages, gross and net weight, and country of origin against each time.

Packing list (Original) – must have the details of the packages, dimensions, weight, invoice number, and date.

Certificate of Origin (Original) – issued by Chamber of Commerce and attested by Qatar Embassy at the port of loading or manufacturing country.

     *If documents are not legalized, a legalization fee/tariff will be applied – 1% based on CIF value or QAR 500 (min). For non-availability of original invoice and COO additional fine of QAR 500 per document (i.e., QAR 1000) will be charged.

Additional shipping documents are required if the commodity falls under any of these special categories:

Dangerous Goods (DG) and Chemical Products

• EPC online approval (should be in place before shipment is loaded on the vessel at transhipment port or last port prior arrival at Qatar) *
• DG Declaration/ Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• Valid approvals with MOE & Civil defense
• Qatar consignee has a valid import license to import such commodities.

Telecommunications, Computers, Vehicles and Tires

• Technical Specifications

Food Products

• Legalized Health Certificates

* Falls within the scope of the shipper and consignee. The carrier has accepted the shipment based on due diligence and the standard booking procedures, with the understanding that the shipper and consignee will comply with the necessary requirements during transit to ensure adherence to all relevant processes and procedures for smooth shipment delivery.

**Exempted when Toys are imported for gifts (small shipments), but prior customs approval is needed for smooth clearance.

Export

Original Invoice – must be signed and stamped by the shipper, duly attested by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce. Invoice information must mention “Commercial Invoice” or “Invoice” with the reference number and correct HS code, number of packages, gross and net weight, and country of origin against each time.

*Zero Value (discount in the commercial invoice is not acceptable in Qatar Customs)

Original Packing list– must have the details of the packages, dimensions, weight, invoice number, and date.

Original Certificate of Origin (COO) issued by the local Chamber of Commerce Qatar

• For Steel item cargo – NOC from Qatar steel is mandatory.
• For Chemical cargo – Approval from Ministry for Environment
• For Scrap Cargo – Approval from Ministry of Municipality

Implementation of Ministry of Transport Directive on Authorized Freight Forwarding Transactions

As per the directive of Ministry of Transport – Maritime Transport Licensing Department, State of Qatar, effective from 01 January 2026, all import and export transactions in Qatar must be conducted exclusively through Freight Forwarding Companies authorized by the Ministry of Transport.

• For Imports: Delivery Orders and other related services can only be processed through authorized Freight Forwarders approved by the Ministry of Transport.
• For Exports: Bills of Lading and related documentation must be handled through authorized Freight Forwarders approved by the Ministry of Transport.

Customers are strongly advised to review and comply with the Ministry’s directive to avoid any delays or disruptions in their import and export operations.

This directive applies only in the following cases:

• When the Consignee (for Imports) is a Freight Forwarder stated on the Bill of Lading.
• When the Shipper (for Exports) is a Freight Forwarder stated on the Bill of Lading.

If the Consignee (Imports) or Shipper (Exports) is the actual customer themselves, this directive will not apply.