Things to Know Before You Ship Overseas to Qatar

Qatar has a strong economy and many people consider immigrating there for new jobs. If you are considering moving to Qatar, also consider shipping your household belongings. There may be products or household items you will not be able to find in your new country, and if you use an international shipping company, it can be an easy process. Qatar has one of the world’s highest per capita incomes and has some of the world’s largest oil and natural gas reserves. Many people are moving to Qatar for jobs in the strong economy, in fact, Qatar has more immigrants than country natives.

Qatar is a small Islamic country in the Middle East. While Qatar is one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East, Sharia, or Islamic Law, still applies to family law, inheritance and certain criminal activities. Women can drive and do not have to dress in traditional Islamic clothing, however, people do dress conservatively. When you are in Qatar, it is important to respect the local customs and the Islamic religion, especially during Ramadan. It is illegal to eat or drink in public during Ramadan. It is illegal to drink alcohol or be drunk in public. However, expatriates can obtain alcohol permits and drink at home or in some licensed bars and hotels.

Religions other than Islam can be practiced in Qatar. While you can import religious material from a religion other than Islam for your own personal use, you cannot import religious material for the purpose of proselytizing.

When you are shipping cargo to Qatar, it is important to know about some of the country’s import regulations. For example, certain items are not allowed into the country. It is illegal to import narcotics, alcoholic beverages, weapons and pork products into Qatar. All printed material, including videos, books, pictures and CDs are subject to censorship. Indecent or pornographic material will be censored or taken away. If you are shipping to Qatar, you cannot import any items made of ivory. You are also not allowed to import wireless transmitters or communication equipment.

All DVDs must be accompanied by a list of titles, synopsis of each DVD, list of actors and the running times. Pack all of these items in the same cargo shipping box or close together so customs officials can inspect them quickly. If you are shipping new furniture to Qatar, you will be required to have a Certificate of Origin or an invoice. It is also important to note that computer equipment requires a separate clearance procedure.

When you arrive in Qatar, you will need to provide a Good Conduct Certificate or a Criminal Record Check for Overseas Employment. You will also need to bring your diploma or certificate from your highest degree achieved. Finally, you will need to bring your medical records and a copy of your Blood Group Certificate.

When relocating to Qatar, you can ship a car to Qatar from your country of origin. No customs duty is charged on vehicles being imported for personal use. It is important to note that the owner of the vehicle must be a resident in Qatar prior to registration of the vehicle. Qatar utilizes right-handed driving, so if you are shipping from the United States, your vehicle will be the correct orientation.

Imported autos must be at least three years old. Before you ship your vehicle to Qatar, consult with a mechanic to ensure your car will be able to withstand the high summer temperatures. You will also need to get the following paperwork together.

Proof of ownership at origin
Original Import Manifest
Registration Certificate
Insurance Policy
Invoice

When moving to Qatar, you can bring your household pet into the country. All pets must have an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. You will need to provide a copy of your pet’s rabies vaccination record, along with a good health certificate provided by your veterinarian. The vaccination cannot be older than 12 months and must be older than 30 days. No more than ten days before you plan to import your pet to Qatar, your veterinarian will need to sign off that your pet is in good health.

You cannot import a pet to Qatar that has not been vaccinated against rabies; therefore you cannot import a pet that is too young for vaccination, usually less than 4 months old. If you bring an animal to Qatar without the proper paperwork, it will be put into quarantine at your expense. Certain breeds of dogs are prohibited entry into Qatar, including Japanese Akita, Shar Pei, Great Dane, Doberman, Boxer, Bull dog, Bull Mastiff, Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Afghan or Pug.

Moving to a new country is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Work with an international cargo shipping company in order to make sure you have all the correct paperwork and that you are not shipping anything against the import regulations of Qatar.

For more information about international cargo shipping services, including a free online quote for your international cargo shipping.

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