Important Information
02/08/2012
Qatar Customs Regulations
Shipments to a business address (Non Documents)
All importers must have an import license to have their consignments cleared from customs. Qatar customs are levying customs duty and legalisation fees for all Non Documents shipments irrespective of value limits. Due to recent changes in clearance process (all Express companies have to prepare the customs bill of entry – Bayan - for each consignment prior to inspection for clearance) expect delays in clearance.
In order to prepare the Bill of Entry (Bayan) we require the following:
Any shipments over 100kgs must accompany an original Certificate of Origin and Original invoice attested by Chamber of Commerce. These shipments (over 100kgs) have to go through formal clearance process at airport cargo which takes 24-48hrs to clear upon submitting original documents to Customs. Please be aware that Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) imposes demurrage fees if shipment is not cleared after 5 days of its arrival in Qatar. Consignee must pay these demurrages (if any) along with duties, legalization and admin fees upon shipment delivery.
All importers must have an import license to have their consignments cleared from customs. Qatar customs are levying customs duty and legalisation fees for all Non Documents shipments irrespective of value limits. Due to recent changes in clearance process (all Express companies have to prepare the customs bill of entry – Bayan - for each consignment prior to inspection for clearance) expect delays in clearance.
In order to prepare the Bill of Entry (Bayan) we require the following:
- Consignee should have a valid import license and be registered in customs system.
- Airwaybill with correct company name (match with import license) weight and number of pieces and correct description.
- Printed Invoice with correct description, value and country of origin.
- Customs duty and Legalisation charges have to be paid to customs for all consignments (Low & High value).
- Invoice should be in the printed format and against each item the country of origin should be stated.
- Harmonized System Code (HS Code) should be stated on the invoice.
- If the importer (receiver in Qatar) has no import license or has an expired license then the consignment cannot be cleared. In this case there are two options available: either the consignment is to be destroyed by customs, or the receiver is to provide a letter to Qatar customs director (in Arabic) stating that an import license is not available and request to return the consignment to sender. [Please note that Return to Origin (RTO) is only possible after the letter is provided by receiver]
- DHL Express can obtain an import license on importer’s behalf. For more information, please contact DHL on 44587888.
Express Shipments over 100kgs
Any shipments over 100kgs must accompany an original Certificate of Origin and Original invoice attested by Chamber of Commerce. These shipments (over 100kgs) have to go through formal clearance process at airport cargo which takes 24-48hrs to clear upon submitting original documents to Customs. Please be aware that Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) imposes demurrage fees if shipment is not cleared after 5 days of its arrival in Qatar. Consignee must pay these demurrages (if any) along with duties, legalization and admin fees upon shipment delivery.
