Exporting from Bahrain to Qatar
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Bahrain selling to buyers in Qatar.
Send a certificate of origin with the shipment to claim the preference.
VAT — Qatar: None (no VAT as of 2026; excise tax on tobacco and some drinks)
GCC Customs Union
- Common external tariff: 5%
Most goods imported from outside the GCC pay 5% duty. About 417 basic items (foodstuffs, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical goods) are exempt, and tobacco pays 100%.
Source ↗ - Single point of entry
Customs duty on foreign goods is collected once, at the first GCC point of entry. The goods can then move on to other member states without paying duty again.
Source ↗ - National product treatment
Goods produced in any GCC state move duty-free and are treated as national goods in all member states.
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Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / PAFTA)
- 0% customs duty
Arab-origin goods traded between members are fully exempt from customs duties and charges with equivalent effect, for both industrial and agricultural products.
Source ↗ - No non-tariff barriers, with set exceptions
Members may not apply non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, except for religious, health, security and environmental reasons. A few farm products can also be excluded temporarily during local harvest seasons (the agricultural calendar).
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Other agreements (not applied): TR–GCC FTA (Not in force yet)
⚠ Before you trade
- VAT may come later
Qatar has signed the GCC VAT framework and is expected to introduce VAT (likely 5%), but as of October 2026 no start date has been announced. Watch for changes before long-term price agreements.
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Importing into Qatar
- Importer registration (CR + customs code)
The importing company needs a commercial registration from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that includes the trading activity, then registers with the General Authority of Customs to get or activate its customs code.
Source ↗ - Certificates of conformity for regulated goods
Customs will not release regulated products, such as vehicle spare parts (tyres, brake pads, wheel rims, seat belts) and some electrical appliances, without a certificate of conformity from an approved body. Tyres may use GSO certificates instead.
Source ↗ - GCC G-mark for toys and low-voltage goods
Products covered by GCC technical regulations, starting with children's toys and low-voltage electrical equipment, must carry the GCC conformity mark (G-mark) issued under the GSO system.
Source ↗ - Food: MoPH registration, Arabic labels, halal
Food products must be registered by a licensed Qatari importer in the Ministry of Public Health's Watheq system before import. All mandatory label information must be in Arabic (GSO 9), shelf-life rules apply, and meat, poultry and foods with animal ingredients need halal certificates.
Source ↗ - Required documents and origin marking
Importers present the customs declaration, bill of lading, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list and import licence, all showing the HS code. 'Made in' marking is required on each item and carton and must match the documents.
Source ↗ - Attestation of commercial documents
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs attests certificates of origin, invoices and other commercial documents (QAR 150) once they carry the required seals, including from a Qatari mission abroad. Ask your Qatari buyer which attestations customs or the bank need.
Source ↗ - Banned and restricted goods
Alcohol and pork products can only be imported by the state distributor, Qatar Distribution Company. Narcotics, flammable and radioactive products and counterfeit goods are banned; military and security items need a local licence.
Source ↗ - Al Nadeeb single window
Since 2013 all commercial shipments are declared in Al Nadeeb, Qatar's electronic customs single window, which links customs with about 17 government bodies and supports online payment and risk-based inspection.
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