Shipping Goods from USA to Qatar
There are certain items which are prohibited from import into Qatar. These include pork, wireless transmitters, narcotics, fire arms, alcoholic beverages, pornographic materials and other sharp objects which may be used as weapons. Once you get past the prohibitions, though, it’s fairly easy to import household items and vehicles into the country. It takes paperwork, and the items may be liable to taxes and duties, but it’s not impossible for returning locals, foreign residents, and diplomats to ship items from the USA to Qatar.
Diplomatic goods and vehicles
The shipping of diplomatic household effects and vehicles into Qatar may be granted exemption from duties and taxes, but it remains in the discretion of the Customs Director. The goods and vehicles must be accompanied by a protocol letter from the Embassy of Qatar in the USA, authorized by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once this letter is received by the Customs Agency in Qatar, the goods are inspected and granted clearance unless it contains prohibited items. The clearance process takes three to five days (if the documents are all accounted for), and while the consignee’s presence is not required, it is recommended.
The Destination Agent in Qatar should also be notified in advance about the arrival of the diplomatic shipment because the clearance process is different from ordinary shipments. Aside from these documents, the items must be accompanied by the original airway or ocean bill and a detailed inventory of the shipment.
Non-diplomatic personal effects and other household items
All used household items and personal effects may be imported into Qatar from the USA as long as the consignee can produce a letter from his/her employee stating the s/he will be in the country for a minimum of 12 months. The items should also have no commercial value, and must not be sold in Qatar during the consignee’s stay. Consignees can be fined or penalized in other ways for selling imported items.
The clearance periods for these items differ. When transported by air, the clearance day ranges from 1 to 2 days. When imported by sea, the process takes from three to seven days. The shipment must come with OBL or AWB, a detailed inventory, and the consignee’s passport with proper Visa. Personal appearance during clearance is not required but also recommended. Brand new items are dutiable and taxed. Take note of prohibited items to avoid fines and impoundment.
New furniture and other household items must also be shipped with the original invoice. This and a certification that the documents are authentic must be submitted to the Qatar Embassy in the USA before the items are shipped to Qatar. The document should have been given to the Destination Agent before the arrival of the items. Currently, the duties are 4% of the items’ value, but the rates can change. Consignees are advised to contact the embassy for an estimate and for a rundown of the current rules and regulations.
Restricted non-diplomatic household items
Books, audio and video cassettes, and computers are all subject to the screening of Qatar customs upon arrival. The clearance may take up to a week. Books and electronic data storage gadgets will be screened by the Ministry of Information.
Non-diplomatic vehicles
Vehicles which are three years old or older may be imported into Qatar from the USA duty-free as long as the vehicle is for personal use. For the importation to be approved, though, the owner must be a resident of Qatar first. Residence permits are necessary for the vehicle’s clearance. Consult the Qatar Embassy in the USA for information about this. The clearance period is usually three to five days. The personal appearance of the consignee is not necessary during clearance but is highly recommended. The vehicle must come with proofs of ownership and original registration papers stating the length of ownership and the actual age of the car.
Boats and aircrafts for personal use imported from the USA must come with similar documentation proving its age, make, model, and proof of the consignee’s ownership. Permits must be obtained before these vehicles are used within the country.
Industrial machineries are considered non-personal and must be taxed accordingly. Customs duties also apply. Permits for its safety, use, and environmental protocols must also be met before it can be used inside Qatar. For more information, contact the Consulate of Qatar in the USA.