To import goods for trade into Qatar, you need a company registered in Qatar whose commercial registration includes an import activity, and a registered account on Al-Nadeeb, the clearance system of the General Authority of Customs. Each shipment then needs a customs declaration and an invoice. Food, fresh produce, telecom equipment and other restricted goods also need an approval.
Who can import into Qatar
Importing for trade is a company activity. The Single Window says that if the purpose of import is trade, the importer must own a company, or have a company registered in Qatar, whose commercial registration names the activity. The company then gives Customs its licences and certificates.
Import has its own activity codes: 461032 “Import activities” and 461039 “Other export and import activities”. On the Single Window both need no approval from another authority and are open to GCC, foreign and local owners. Add the code to the CR before the first shipment. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry does not allow any activity that is not recorded in the CR and the licence.
Importer registration with Customs
The registration the official pages describe is a commercial account on Al-Nadeeb.
Al-Nadeeb is the customs clearance single window of the General Authority of Customs. Declarations, tariffs and payment of fees all run through it. A commercial company registers an account and names an Administrative Supervisor for it. Users then work in the account according to the roles and access rights they are given.
- Sign in
Open Al-Nadeeb and sign in through the E-Service Portal with the Qatari ID number and mobile number, then enter the SMS code.
- Choose the account type
Select “Commercial Account Registration”, then pick the roles and activities that fit the company.
- Name the supervisor
Enter contact details, and confirm or assign the Administrative Supervisor.
- Attach and submit
Upload the attachments and confirm the acknowledgement. The request then goes to the General Authority of Customs.
- Pay and activate
When Customs approves, the status changes to “Pending Payment”, and after payment the account shows “Registered”.
- Al-Nadeeb registration, and again at each annual renewal
- QAR 100
- Basic customs service fee per declaration for companies
- QAR 250
- Cap on that fee, with QAR 50 for each extra container or truck
- QAR 500
Hukoomi service page and Minister of Finance Decision No. 13 of 2023, checked 21 Oct 2026. Customs duties are separate.
Documents you need for each shipment
| Document | What the rules say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Customs declaration | Required for all goods entering or leaving Qatar, in detail on the approved forms, even when the goods are exempt from duty | Customs Law, Arts. 16 and 46 |
| Invoice | An original or electronic detailed invoice with each declaration. Customs may ask for an Arabic translation of an invoice in another language | Customs Law, Art. 25 |
| Company licences | The company’s licences and certificates, and the data Customs asks for on the type and source of the goods | Single Window import stages |
| Manifest | Prepared under the law if the goods are unloaded into a public warehouse | Single Window import stages |
| Proof of origin | Imported goods follow the rules of origin in the international and regional agreements Qatar applies | Customs Law, Art. 23 |
| Conformity | Consumer goods with the Gulf conformity mark, or a conformity certificate from a recognised GCC body, are accepted at the first point of entry | GCC guide published by Customs |
| Food documents | An original health certificate from the country of origin, a list of contents, a CR or licence in the relevant field, and a halal certificate for meat, poultry and food with animal ingredients | GCC guide for imported foods, 5.1 |
Goods that need approvals
The Customs Law sorts goods into two groups that matter here. Prohibited goods cannot enter Qatar at all. Restricted goods can, once the competent authority in Qatar approves them, and that authority is whichever ministry or regulator oversees the product. Ask for it before the order is shipped.
Food products
The Ministry of Public Health keeps a Food Registration System, and every food product goes into it before import. There is no charge, and the ministry issues a registration notice for each product.
Fresh produce
Vegetables and fruits need an import permit from the Ministry of Municipality. Apply before the shipment leaves the country of origin, with a phytosanitary certificate and either a warehouse licence or a notarised storage contract. A permit can be used once and is valid for 90 days.
Radio and telecom equipment
The Communications Regulatory Authority authorises the import if the equipment meets local and international standards.
Goods banned by the tariff
The GCC tariff list includes electronic cigarettes and electronic shisha devices, used tyres, asbestos products, unworked ivory and khat.
A company that applies for the vegetables and fruits permit must trade in those goods, which is one more reason to match the CR activities to what you import. For any other product, the Business Activities Search Tool on the Single Window shows which authority approves the activity.
Clearing a shipment
Clearance on Al-Nadeeb has four stages: the declaration, the inspection, payment of duties and release. The duty is worked out at the tariff rates in force on the date the declaration is registered. Al-Nadeeb has a tariff search.
You do not always need a broker. Under Article 109 of the Customs Law, goods may be declared by their owners or by authorised representatives who meet the conditions set by Customs, or by licensed customs brokers. A broker answers for its own work and its staff’s, to the importer and to Customs.
Customs can raise the declared value. If it does, you have 15 days to object before the valuation committee, from registering the declaration or from being told the new value. Customs may also ask for the invoices, contracts and correspondence for a shipment, so keep them.
How we help
We help you add the import activity to the CR and prepare the Al-Nadeeb registration file, and we check which approvals your products need before you order. The General Authority of Customs and the regulating ministries decide every registration, permit and clearance.
