Exporting from Syria to Qatar
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Syria 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)
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).
Source ↗
Exceptions
- Syria: suspended 2011–2023
Syria's Arab League membership was suspended in 2011 and restored in May 2023, and trade with Syria was badly disrupted in between. Check Syria's current tariffs, payment channels and any sanctions before relying on GAFTA treatment.
Source ↗
⚠ 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.
Source ↗ - Sanctions mostly lifted – some limits remain
The UK (April 2025) and EU (May 2025) lifted most economic sanctions; the US ended its Syria sanctions programme from 1 July 2025, repealed the Caesar Act in December 2025 and removed the terrorism-sponsor listing on 24 August 2026. Sanctions on listed persons remain, and some US-origin items still need export licences.
Source ↗ - Banking and payments are still difficult
Syrian banks are cautious: expect delays, extra due-diligence questions and transfer limits, and correspondent banking is limited. Screen your buyer against sanctions lists, use secure payment terms, and consider euro or regional-currency channels.
Source ↗ - Rules change often
Customs law, tariff, import lists and the authorities themselves changed in 2025–2026 and are still being updated. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed Syrian clearing agent before shipping.
Source ↗
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.
Source ↗