Shipping from Dubai to QatarShipping from Dubai to Qatar, by air, sea and road.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Qatar for businesses. We fly air cargo from DXB to Hamad International in Doha, ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Hamad Port, and arrange road freight through Saudi Arabia to the Abu Samra border. We prepare UAE export papers and check what the Qatari importer needs on Al Nadeeb.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Qatar at a glance
Qatar's only land border is with Saudi Arabia, so road cargo from Dubai crosses two borders. Sea to Hamad Port and air to Doha are the usual choices.
- Flight time
- About 1 h DXB to Doha
- Sea
- Short feeder to Hamad Port
- Customs
- General Authority of Customs
- Import VAT
- None in force
Airports and seaports in Qatar we ship to
Almost all container cargo enters through Hamad Port, which replaced Doha Port for container traffic.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | DOH | Hamad International Airport, home of Qatar Airways Cargo | |
| Seaport | QAHMD | Qatar's main container port, south of Doha | |
| Land border | Road via Saudi Arabia | Qatar's only land crossing, on the Saudi border |
Air, sea to Qatar
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to DOH | Same or next day | Urgent parts, samples, events | |
| Sea freight | Jebel Ali to Hamad Port | Short feeder sailings | Containers, building materials, FMCG |
| Land transport | Via Al Ghuwaifat, Saudi Arabia and Abu Samra | Longer: two border crossings | Special cases, with transfer at Abu Samra |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Qatar
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Qatar Airways Cargo
At Abu Samra, cargo is often moved to Qatari trucks. We plan this before the truck leaves Dubai. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Qatar: what the importer needs
Qatari importers clear goods through Al Nadeeb, the customs single window.
| Item | In Qatar |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | General Authority of Customs, Qatar |
| Declaration | Import declaration on Al Nadeeb |
| Importer registration | Qatari commercial registration, with the importer registered on Al Nadeeb |
| Duty and tax | 5% GCC common external tariff on most goods, by HS code; excise tax on some goods such as tobacco and sugary drinks |
| Trade agreement | GCC customs union: UAE-origin goods with a GCC certificate of origin enter duty-free |
Qatar has not introduced VAT. Check excise rules for tobacco, energy drinks and similar goods.
Approvals to check before booking
Regulated goods need an approval from a Qatari authority before they can be released.
- 01
Public Health approval
Medicines and health products need Ministry of Public Health registration.
- 02
CRA type approval
Telecom and radio equipment needs Communications Regulatory Authority approval.
- 03
Food safety
Food needs labelling and safety clearance; meat needs halal certification.
- 04
Claims duty-free entry for goods made in the UAE.
- 05
Controlled goods
Firearms and similar items need a Ministry of Interior permit.
- 06
Road cargo must follow the transfer and notice rules at Abu Samra.
Documents for shipping to Qatar
Send these with your booking. We match names and values to what the importer files on Al Nadeeb.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Duty-free entry for UAE-made goods | |
| Health, telecom or food clearance where needed |
Restricted or banned in Qatar
- Alcohol (commercial import)
- Pork products
- Narcotics
- Counterfeit goods
- Firearms without a permit
Ask us before shipping anything unusual, especially for events and exhibitions.
What UAE businesses ship to Qatar
Trade between the UAE and Qatar has grown since 2021, with non-oil trade of about AED 37 billion reported for 2023.
- 01
Building materials
Supplies for construction and fit-out projects.
- 02
Food and FMCG
Retail and food stock by sea or air.
- 03
Electrical goods
Electrical and electronic equipment from Dubai distributors.
Dubai to Qatar shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneAir cargo is fastest, usually arriving the same or next day. The flight from DXB to Hamad International takes about an hour. Sea freight from Jebel Ali to Hamad Port is a short feeder sailing and suits containers. Road freight is slower, because it crosses Saudi Arabia and two borders.
- Sea suits building materials.
- Air suits events and urgent parts.
Trucks reach Qatar only through Saudi Arabia. The route crosses Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha, then runs to Abu Samra, Qatar's only land border. Cargo is often transferred to Qatari trucks there. Because of the two crossings, sea freight to Hamad Port is usually simpler for regular supply.
- Saudi transit papers are needed.
- We plan the Abu Samra transfer.
No, Qatar has not introduced VAT. Imports pay customs duty under the GCC common tariff, usually 5%, unless the goods are of GCC origin with a valid certificate. Excise tax applies to some goods, such as tobacco and sugary drinks. The importer files the declaration on Al Nadeeb.
- UAE-made goods can enter duty-free.
- Re-exported goods usually pay 5%.
Hamad Port receives Qatar's container traffic. It lies south of Doha and replaced the old Doha Port for containers. Feeder services connect it with Jebel Ali in a short sailing. From Hamad Port, cargo is trucked to Doha, the industrial area or project sites after clearance.
- UN/LOCODE is QAHMD.
- LCL is consolidated in Jebel Ali.