The Peninsula, 2 September 2025: Qatar’s General Authority of Customs (GAC) has outlined specific conditions for customs duty exemptions on personal items for travellers and returning citizens.

The rules permit exemptions for reasonable quantities of non-commercial items carried by passengers for personal use.

For Qatari citizens returning permanently from abroad, the authority has established specific criteria for the duty-free importation of household goods. These individuals must provide evidence of residing overseas for at least three years, and their belongings must arrive in Qatar within six months of their final return.

The exemptions apply to citizens who have been abroad for work assignments, education, or medical treatment. However, the items must be used personal effects rather than new or commercial goods.

The regulations explicitly exclude aircraft and ship crew members, as well as professional traders importing business-related goods, from claiming these exemptions.

The authority confirmed that the duty-free allowances also extend to persons with special needs, personal postal parcels, and diplomatic missions, though specific limits were not disclosed.

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