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3.3. Qatar established a single window electronic customs clearance system (Al-Nadeeb), accessible through a portal on the General Authority of Customs (GAC) website. It is also accessible via mobile phone, e-mail, the GAC contact centre, or in-person visits to the GAC. The Al-Nadeeb system has 24 units dealing with specific aspects of the customs process. (...) The system links users (importers, exporters, customs agents, and transporters) with the 10 concerned government ministries (...Municipality and Environment...)

Table 3.3 Tariff line where applied rate exceeds bound tariff rate
HS code: 85489000 [b]
Product description: Waste and scrap
2020 applied tariff: 5
Bound tariff: 0 or 20

[b] An applied customs duty is partially higher than its corresponding bound duties.

3.33. Import prohibitions are limited to live swine, ivory, nutmeg, narcotic substances, retreaded tyres, and asbestos and goods containing asbestos. (...) Most other imports subject to control fall under the authority of the Ports Health and Food Control Section of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), and sometimes the measures are administered jointly with the Department of Agriculture Affairs and Fisheries of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME).

3.34. Qatar is party to certain international environmental conventions, notably the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (since 1996), the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (since 1995), the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (since 2005), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (since 2005), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (since 2001), under which trade restrictions may be imposed on goods considered harmful or dangerous, or for environmental protection purposes.

3.41. Qatar does not have an export licensing system. However, some goods may be subject to controls due to Qatar's participation in international environmental conventions. Exports require the issuance of a certificate of origin from the QCCI in coordination with the MOCI. Exports of scrap iron must be approved by the Qatar Steel Company.

Table 3.6 Main financial support programmes provided by the [Qatar Development Bank] QDB
Programme: Direct lending
Summary: The QDB also provides funding for the development of the technology sector, sectors that extensively use available raw materials, sectors that are highly environment friendly and use only renewable energy sources, high export-oriented sectors, and projects for reducing Qatari reliance on imports for a particular product.

Table 3.7 List of restricted products by [Qatar Standard] QS according to technical regulations
Item: Vehicles, motorcycles
Regulation no.: QS standards adopted from international standards in compliance with the Qatari Environment

3.65. (...) labels are required on products such as cosmetics and motor vehicles Also, vehicle agents and dealers are required to display fuel efficiency labels on motor vehicles (starting from 2017 model years), in line with a GSO technical regulation (No. 42 of 2015); the initiative aims to raise consumer awareness about energy efficiency and to ensure safety and environmental protection. [66]

MOCI, "Ministry of Economy and Commerce Compels Vehicle Agents and Dealers across Qatar to Clearly Display Fuel Efficiency Labels on Models from 2017 Onwards", 15 March 2017. Viewed at: (...)

3.68. Qatar allows imports of GMO food or feed upon authorization. The country follows a mandatory and positive labelling regulation on GM food (i.e. containing GMO). The authorities noted that Qatar accepts all GM food products as long as they meet the requirements specified in GSO standards.

Table 3.8 Labelling requirements for selected product groups
Product: GMO
Regualtions: Technical Regulation No. GSO 2142/2011: "General requirements for genetically modified processed food and feed"
Content: The standard is concerned with general requirements for processed food
and feed obtained through certain techniques of genetic modification.