Qatar customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Personal items and gifts carried by the traveler, worth up to QAR 3,000 in total, if they are for personal use and not in commercial quantities.
• Up to 400 cigarettes, or instead 20 cigars, or 300 g of pipe tobacco, or 500 g of raw tobacco, or 2 kg of shisha tobacco (mu'assal), within the same QAR 3,000 value.
• The exemption does not apply to frequent travelers or to people who trade in the goods they carry. Exempt goods are still subject to Qatar's import bans and restrictions. Customs duty is charged on anything above these limits.
Currency
• Cash (Qatari riyals or foreign currency), bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveler's cheques, cheques and promissory notes), precious metals (such as gold, silver and platinum) and precious stones (such as diamonds and pearls) worth QAR 50,000 or more (or the equivalent) must be declared on a Customs Declaration Form at the customs declaration office on arrival.
• If asked by a customs officer, you must disclose any amount of currency, jewellery or precious stones you carry and give any other information requested. Failing to declare, or declaring falsely, can lead to confiscation, a fine of QAR 100,000 to 500,000 (or twice the amount, whichever is higher) or up to 3 years in prison.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and illegal drugs, even in residual amounts
• Alcoholic beverages (cannot be imported under any condition)
• Electronic cigarettes, vapes and their liquids, electronic shisha and electrically heated tobacco devices, whatever the quantity or purpose
• Khat, betel (paan) preparations and chewing or sniffing tobacco (such as sammah)
• Ivory
Restricted
• Weapons, firearms and ammunition must be declared and need prior permission from the Qatari authorities.
• Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled in Qatar. Carry a prescription and a medical report in English or Arabic issued within the last 6 months; controlled medicines for personal use need a permit, which can be applied for online through the Ministry of Public Health.
• Drones are regulated: you may need a licence or permit before bringing in or flying a drone. Check with the Qatari authorities before you travel.
• Cats and dogs need an import permit from the Ministry of Municipality (Livestock Department), valid for 30 days from issue. The application needs the pet's vaccination record and a rabies antibody test from an internationally accredited laboratory. Some dog breeds are banned, and pet documents are inspected by customs on arrival.
• Declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to duty or tax by using the red channel. If you are not sure, ask a customs officer.
• Personal items and gifts carried by the traveler, worth up to QAR 3,000 in total, if they are for personal use and not in commercial quantities.
• Up to 400 cigarettes, or instead 20 cigars, or 300 g of pipe tobacco, or 500 g of raw tobacco, or 2 kg of shisha tobacco (mu'assal), within the same QAR 3,000 value.
• The exemption does not apply to frequent travelers or to people who trade in the goods they carry. Exempt goods are still subject to Qatar's import bans and restrictions. Customs duty is charged on anything above these limits.
Currency
• Cash (Qatari riyals or foreign currency), bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveler's cheques, cheques and promissory notes), precious metals (such as gold, silver and platinum) and precious stones (such as diamonds and pearls) worth QAR 50,000 or more (or the equivalent) must be declared on a Customs Declaration Form at the customs declaration office on arrival.
• If asked by a customs officer, you must disclose any amount of currency, jewellery or precious stones you carry and give any other information requested. Failing to declare, or declaring falsely, can lead to confiscation, a fine of QAR 100,000 to 500,000 (or twice the amount, whichever is higher) or up to 3 years in prison.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and illegal drugs, even in residual amounts
• Alcoholic beverages (cannot be imported under any condition)
• Electronic cigarettes, vapes and their liquids, electronic shisha and electrically heated tobacco devices, whatever the quantity or purpose
• Khat, betel (paan) preparations and chewing or sniffing tobacco (such as sammah)
• Ivory
Restricted
• Weapons, firearms and ammunition must be declared and need prior permission from the Qatari authorities.
• Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled in Qatar. Carry a prescription and a medical report in English or Arabic issued within the last 6 months; controlled medicines for personal use need a permit, which can be applied for online through the Ministry of Public Health.
• Drones are regulated: you may need a licence or permit before bringing in or flying a drone. Check with the Qatari authorities before you travel.
• Cats and dogs need an import permit from the Ministry of Municipality (Livestock Department), valid for 30 days from issue. The application needs the pet's vaccination record and a rabies antibody test from an internationally accredited laboratory. Some dog breeds are banned, and pet documents are inspected by customs on arrival.
• Declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to duty or tax by using the red channel. If you are not sure, ask a customs officer.