International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
QATAR On behalf of UniGroup Relocation, we will be coordinating the shipment of your goods to Qatar. To simplify the process, we have outlined the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. This will also review your responsibilities in assisting with this process. In addition to the points below, the following pages will outline the requirements, which will be facilitated by our local representative to complete the clearance. They will assist with each item specific to your shipment so please be assured they will do whatever is necessary to facilitate a quick and efficient clearance. The documentation process, for example, passports, visas, power of attorney, etc., can take one week to 14 days plus the transportation – airfreight – seven to 21 days / weeks and ocean – six to eight weeks, depending on the origin. It is extremely important that you take a few moments to review these important requirements, as they will allow us to process the release of your personal property through foreign customs. Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import and not by UniGroup Relocation. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. Such regulations, however, are subject to change without notice by the country of import. UniGroup Relocation assumes no liability for changes in the law or interpretation by enforcement personnel as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country.
Visa Requirements – Details Please advise your local representative or UniGroup Relocation Representative of the “Type” of passport or visa you will be travelling under (working visa, temporary visa, diplomatic, etc.) When moving to Qatar, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials. *Contact address and telephone number must be listed on all documents.
Required Documents
Details
Visitors Visitor Visa
Please verify with the local representative.
Family Visit Visa
The Ministry of Interior issues approval. The sponsor handles fees and collection of visa.
Tourists Tourist Visa
Applications for tourist visas are submitted to the Immigration Department (Airport Visas Section) by one of the registered hotels. Visas are usually given within 24 hours and are valid for 14 days. They can be extended for another 14 days. Requirements for Tourist Visa: • Passport valid for at least 6 months. (Passport must be signed.) • 2 completed visa application forms.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
• •
Two passport-size photos taken within the past 6 months. Copy of travel ticket or itinerary.
Businesspeople Business Visa
These are organized by Qatari Companies for nationals from the full list of countries below. They are valid for two weeks. They can be extended for two weeks at airport immigration although it may be possible to extend them for longer. An exit visa is only needed if the individual on the business visa has stayed longer than four weeks. Requirements for Business Visa: • A passport valid for at least six months. (Passport must be signed.) • Two completed visa application forms. • Two passport-size photos taken within the past 6 months. • $100.00 embassy consular fee. • Copy of travel ticket or itinerary. • Letter from applicant's company (on company letterhead and signed by someone other than the applicant) addressed to the Qatar Embassy similar in content to the following sample letter:
Multiple-entry Business Visa
The Ministry of Interior issues approval. The sponsor handles fees and collection of visa, usually given within 24 hours.
Employees Work Permit
Work permits may be obtained only by local sponsors. Employees satisfying certain criteria may sponsor their immediate family to enable them to obtain a residence permit.
Work Visa
The Ministry of Interior gives the approval. Sponsor submits application on behalf of Worker / employee pays the fees and receives the visa from Visa Section at the Airport. Issued in 24 hours. Holders of work visas require an exit permit to leave Qatar; however, their dependents do not require such a permit while traveling abroad.
Documents Requirements – Details PERSONAL & HOUSEHOLD GOODS Documents required to import personal & household goods are:
Required Documents
Details
Passport
Required.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
Inventory List
Two legible copies of the detailed inventory.
Letter of authorization
Letter from shipper authorizing destination agent to clear his/her shipment.
Proof of purpose
The consignee’s company must provide a letter to Customs mentioning the contract length, position and certifying that the goods are for personal use and not for resale.
Visa/Residence Permit
Please verify with the local representative.
Certificate of Origin
A Certificate of Origin or invoices are required for new furniture.
Duties Personal & household goods can be imported duty-free under the following conditions: • •
The household goods/ personal effects must be used and have no commercial value. All used personal and household goods are exempt from the 5% CIF duty, provided that the shipper has a valid Qatar residence visa or letter from their company verifying they are in the process of receiving one.
Details: • • • • • • • •
Leader of protocol from the relevant embassy must be processed with the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the protocol letter is received, the shipment is normally allowed inspection and duty-free clearance into Qatar, but this remains at the discretion of the Customs Director. The destination agent should be notified in advance that a diplomatic shipment is coming, so that they can coordinate the letter of protocol with the relevant embassy administrators, in advance of the shipment’s arrival. Prohibited items may be destroyed by customs. All shipments are subject to full inspection by customs. New furniture will incur a duty of 5% of CIF value. Computer equipment requires a separate clearance procedure through Qatar customs. If a computer is to be included in the shipment, specifications should be sent to the destination agent prior to arrival so the relevant documentation can be processed in advance of the shipment’s arrival. Qatar electrical main service is 240 V/ 50 Hertz plus/minus 5% within the system. Shipments arriving at the port of Umm-Said or other Qatari ports may incur delays or extra charges.
Restricted and Prohibited – Imports All countries, Qatar included, prohibit or restrict the importation of certain dangerous or sensitive items.
Restricted Items: •
All printed matter, records, films, books, pictures, tapes, slides, movies, videos, CDs, DVDs, computer software, etc. are subject to censorship by the Ministry of Information. This process normally takes one working week. These items must be clearly marked on the inventory and packed separately for easy access.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
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There are severe penalties and possible jail terms for persons caught with any of the above-mentioned items that have not been approved by Customs.
Prohibited Items: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Weapons, firearms and ammunition, including decorative swords and daggers. Alcoholic beverages (fine wines included) All narcotics & drugs. Dried poppy flower arrangements can lead to sever legal action & long prison sentences. Medicines are only allowed in reasonable quantities and are subject to analysis by the Ministry of Public Health. Wireless transmitters and communication equipment. Satellite receivers & dishes Pornographic or political materials including literature, videos, films, pictures, etc. Any items made of ivory. Israeli goods and other commodities that are blacklisted. Children’s kites that are electronically guided. Gambling machines Advertisement literature promoting cigarettes, lighters, office tools, etc. Military uniforms or any clothing that is similar to them. Political or religious literature deemed as offensive to the Qatari government or the Islamic faith
Restricted and Prohibited – Exports •
Not available.
Motor Vehicles – Imports Vehicles older than five years require a pre-alert because import approval is required prior to importation. Vehicles over 5 years old are prohibited. Duty is assessed at 5% of CIF value. The following documents are required for the importation of motor vehicles:
Required Documents
Details
Proof of Ownership
Please verify with the local representative.
Import Manifest
Please verify with the local representative. (GCC Purchased)
Registration Certificate
Please verify with the local representative.
Insurance policy
Please verify with the local representative.
Invoice
Please verify with the local representative.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
Motor Vehicles – Exports •
Same as Household Goods, export certificate from the traffic department.
Pets The requirements to transport dogs and cats may vary per country. If you wish to ship your pet, please contact the airline or country Consulate/Embassy for specific details concerning your type, breed and documentation for pets.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
IMPORTANT CUSTOMS REMINDER Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import, not by UniGroup Relocation and are subject to change without notice by the country of import. All regulations may vary according to the customer’s nationality or immigration status. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation cannot be responsible for changes in the law, or interpretation by immigration or customs enforcement personnel, or non-compliance with the law as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country. Contact with the local Consulate or Embassy for further information concerning your specific visa, residence and entry situation is strongly recommended prior to planning your move.
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL International wood packing requirements are in accordance with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade*) as of 5 July 2006: *ISPM 15 is produced by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ISPM 15 requires certain phytosanitary procedures, in particular heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation, relating to wood packaging material (including dunnage) made of raw wood in use in international trade; the phytosanitary procedures are meant to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading certain pests that live and breed in raw wood.
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 Wood packaging material in the form of: • • • • • •
Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings Pallets, box pallets, skids, and other load boards Pallet collars actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, except: Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or any combination thereof
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
The wood packaging material shall: • •
Be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I To FAO ISPM 15 (currently, heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) Display a mark with: o The two-letter ISO Country Code (in place of XX in the image below) o A code identifying the producer (in place of 000 in the image below) o The code identifying the approved measure applied to the wood packing material in the mark as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (in place of YY in the image below; examples are HT For “Heat Treatment” and MB for “Methyl Bromide Fumigation”) o Where “debarking” is required, the letters “DB” shall be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure included in the said mark o The logo as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (this logo is the ippc trademarked graphic symbol shown in the image below on the left side)
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Qatar
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 (Continued) Wood packaging material in the form of:
The wood packaging material shall: •
Markings should be: 1. 2.
• •
Permanent and not transferable Legible and visible, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified
Be marked in accordance with Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (see directly above under "Display a mark with:") If not, at a minimum it should be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests
DUNNAGE, i.e. wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo, including that which has not kept its natural round surface except: • •
Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof
Effective: Oct. 23, 2012
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