Qatar customs duty calculator
Enter what you paid for the goods and the shipping to see the customs value, the duty, any excise tax and the declaration fee for a parcel or shipment to Qatar.
How it is calculated
CIF value = goods + shipping + insurance (in QAR; USD × 3.64)
Customs duty = CIF value × duty rate (0 for a personal shipment of QAR 1,000 or less)
Excise tax = CIF value × excise rate (estimate)
You pay = duty + excise + Bayan fee
| Goods | Customs duty | Excise tax |
|---|---|---|
| Most goods | 5% | None |
| Carbonated drinks | 5% | 50% |
| Energy drinks | 5% | 100% |
| Records and musical instruments | 15% | None |
| Iron and steel | 20% | None |
| Cigarettes and tobacco | 100%, or QAR 1,000 per 10,000 cigarettes if higher | 100% |
| Alcoholic drinks | 100% | 100% |
Duty rates are the ones the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar lists under Qatar Customs Law No. 40 of 2002 and the GCC Common Customs Law. Excise rates have applied since 1 January 2019. The QAR 1,000 personal threshold (since 6 May 2021) and the Bayan fees are as DHL and Aramex Qatar publish them. We could not read the General Authority of Customs or the General Tax Authority websites from here, so this tool shows no review date yet. Excise is estimated on the CIF value; the tax authority can charge it on a higher retail or standard price, so treat the excise line as the lowest likely amount.
Worked examples
Example 1: a phone ordered online
Phone QAR 2,000, shipping QAR 100, personal. CIF = 2,100, over QAR 1,000, so duty = 5% × 2,100 = 105. Add the QAR 20 Bayan: you pay about QAR 125.
Example 2: clothes under the limit
Clothes QAR 850, shipping QAR 120, personal. CIF = 970, not over QAR 1,000, so no duty. You pay only the Bayan of about QAR 20, plus any courier fee.
Example 3: shipping pushes you over
Shoes QAR 950, shipping QAR 100. CIF = 1,050, so the whole 1,050 pays 5%: duty QAR 52.50, plus QAR 20 Bayan.
Example 4: a US order in dollars
Laptop USD 1,200, shipping USD 60. CIF = 1,260 × 3.64 = QAR 4,586.40. Duty = QAR 229.32, plus QAR 20 Bayan.
Example 5: energy drinks for a shop
Commercial shipment worth QAR 3,000 CIF. Duty 5% = 150, excise 100% = 3,000 (at least), Bayan 250. You pay about QAR 3,400 before the courier's legalisation and clearance fees.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out shipping. Customs value is goods + shipping + insurance, not the item price alone.
- Splitting one order to stay under QAR 1,000. Customs can treat linked parcels as one shipment.
- Calling a commercial order personal. Goods for resale pay duty from the first riyal and need a commercial invoice.
- Forgetting excise. Energy drinks, soft drinks and tobacco pay excise on top of duty.
- Ignoring restricted goods. Some goods (such as alcohol, pork, medicines and some electronics) need a permit or cannot be imported by individuals. Check before you order.
Where to check or pay
Your courier will send the duty and fees for payment before delivery. For the official rate of a specific item (its HS code) or a dispute, contact the General Authority of Customs or use the Al Nadeeb clearance system.
Frequently asked questions
How much is customs duty in Qatar?
Most goods pay 5% of their CIF value, which is the price of the goods plus shipping plus insurance. Some goods pay more: records and musical instruments 15%, iron and steel 20%, alcohol and tobacco 100%.
Do I pay customs on online orders under QAR 1,000?
Not on personal orders. Since 6 May 2021 duty is charged on personal shipments above QAR 1,000 in CIF value, as DHL and Aramex Qatar publish it. You usually still pay the small Bayan (declaration) fee and the courier's handling fee.
Is shipping included in the customs value?
Yes. Duty is worked out on cost + insurance + freight. A QAR 950 order with QAR 100 shipping is worth QAR 1,050 to customs and is no longer under the QAR 1,000 limit.
What is the Bayan fee?
The Bayan is the customs declaration. DHL and Aramex Qatar list QAR 20 for a personal shipment by air and QAR 250 for a commercial one. DHL lists QAR 50 for personal shipments by road.
Which goods also pay excise tax?
Since 1 January 2019 Qatar charges excise of 100% on tobacco, energy drinks and special purpose goods (such as alcohol and pork products) and 50% on carbonated drinks. Excise is added on top of customs duty.
How is the dollar price converted?
The calculator uses the fixed rate of QAR 3.64 to the US dollar. For other currencies, convert the invoice to riyals first and choose QAR.
Does this cover what I bring in my luggage?
No. Travellers have their own allowances for gifts, tobacco and cash, which we could not read on the customs website. This tool is for parcels and shipments.
Is a commercial shipment treated differently?
Yes. Goods for sale or for a business pay duty whatever their value, the Bayan fee is higher, and the courier may add legalisation and clearance fees for commercial invoices.
Results are estimates. Customs decides the value, the HS code and the duty on the declaration, and couriers add their own fees. This is not legal or customs advice.
Source: Qatar Customs Law No. 40 of 2002 and the GCC Common Customs Law, the tariff rates published on invest.qa, the excise tax rates in force since 1 January 2019, and the QAR 1,000 personal shipment threshold and Bayan fees as published by DHL and Aramex Qatar.