Shipping from China to Qatar offers numerous business opportunities as Qatar imports over $5 billion worth of goods from China annually. With such a strong trade relationship, China supplies everything from cars and buses to furniture.
If you’re looking to import from China to Qatar, this guide will provide all the details for your convenience.
Gulf Market & Opportunities
The Gulf is a rapidly growing market producing thousands of new opportunities daily. China has a deep working relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council. Conventionally their economies have depended on oil production and tourism. However, with time, they are trying to replace their dependency on oil and gas.
This region, especially Qatar is trying to invest in renewable mega energy projects. Mining will also be popular for extracting costly items like stones and other minerals. Crude metal demand is increasing in the region because of mega projects including new cities and tall buildings. So, new ways are opening for the importers and exporters in the region.
How To Import From China To Qatar?
Importing goods to Qatar requires a complete understanding of each step involved in the process. Therefore, we have written a detailed guide for you for shipping from China to Qatar.
1. Register As An Importer In Qatar
To start a successful import business in Qatar, you must have a company or its branch open in the country. You should get a registration from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI). An import license is a necessary document to start this journey legally. You can also use the licenses of other companies by paying them a commission.
2. Product Hunting
Tourism is a hub of the Qatar economy. Recently Qatar hosted the FIFA football World Cup successfully. You can search on Google product opportunities related to tourism and the needs of its customers.
The hotel industry is also very famous here. You can search for the needs of this industry. People visit multiple places in Qatar for fun and thrillers. That means you have the option to import products related to adventures and thrilling activities.
The construction industry is also booming in the region, you must have a close look at the needs of this growing industry.
3. Sourcing From China
You can source products from a reliable supplier in China. There are multiple provinces in China that are famous for their specialties. For example, if you want to import electronic items, then Shenzhen is the right choice for you when hunting for suppliers. Similarly, for textile products Zhejiang is quite reliable for hunting suppliers.
Online platforms are also important to search for your valuable products and get the desired results. You can find several suppliers there. Ali Baba also gives the verification badge to the suppliers, but self-inspection is a must before starting the process.
4. Chinese Freight Forwarder Selection
Now it’s time to hire a reliable freight forwarder like Bansar. Their responsibility is to pick your products from a factory location in China, load them onto ships and finally deliver them at your doorstep. Your shipping agent or freight forwarder must have good vehicles and facilities. He or she should be able to handle the complex documentation process.
Handling all the complex procedures at the port is also the responsibility of your freight forwarder. They also place your goods in the warehouse for a few days before the loading process starts. Then loading is done professionally, and finally your products will reach your destination site in Qatar.
5. Decide Your Shipping Incoterms
To move products from China to Qatar, there are some agreements between you and the seller in China. These are called incoterms. These incoterms are recognized by international authorities.
You can opt for incoterms, that suit your business the most. If you go with FOB shipment of your cargo, the whole responsibility will be yours regarding the product safety, shipping charges, and documentation. It is cost-effective, however, you are responsible after the products leave the port of origin in China.
In another incoterm called CIF (cost insurance freight), the Chinese seller will be the responsible person till your products reach your final location in Qatar. Product cost will be increased by opting for this mode.
6. Special Packaging Requirements by Qatar
There should be proper labeling of boxes that must have the necessary information. The product’s name, quantity, origin country (China), and expiration date in case of sensitive items must be mentioned on packages.
Qatar also requires ISSO certification standards 22 and 28 for products. You can get these certificates from the manufacturer or can get them from a neutral lab accredited by ISSO.
7. Clearance From Chinese Authorities
Your supplier in China will submit an export declaration form to the authorities. Some special permissions are also required in case of restricted or sensitive products.
After that, you can show the commercial invoice to the customs authorities and also tell them the details about the product quantity, cost, and other important information.
8. Customs Clearance In Qatar
You need to submit the following documents and pay the following taxes to clear Qatar customs.
a) Import Documents
- Commercial Invoice: Your manufacturer is the responsible person for producing this invoice against the products you purchase. Commercial invoice depicts the cost and currency of the products.
- Airway Bill/Bill of Lading: It is a kind of receipt you get when your products are loaded onto the ship. Incoterms are also defined on the bill of lading. You must show this document to clear your products from the Customs authority.
- Packing List: The packing list describes the nature of products, variants, product names, expiry dates in case of food and sensitive stuff, etc.
- Certificate of Origin: This certificate shows the origin of your manufacturing country. It is produced by the chamber of commerce of the origin country.
- Conformity Certificates: Qatar regulates the products by demanding ISSO certificates of standards 22 and 28. You can get this certificate through ISSO-certified labs.
b) Import Tariff In Qatar
Customs duties are applied to all commercial products. Duties depend on the HS categories of the products. Normally 5% duty is imposed on general products if the CIF value is more than 1000QR. Tariffs vary on different products.
Steel has 20%, ammonia, and urea have 30%, tobacco, and its derivatives have 100% customs duty. According to the GCC Customs Union, more than 800 products have duty exemptions.
Types of Shipping From China To Qatar
There are numerous ways by which you can transport your products to Qatar. You need to select the one according to your budget and shipping requirements.
Sea Freight
This mode of shipping is most suitable for bulk shipping from China to Qatar. If you don’t have any time limit, then this mode is best for you. Sea freight can carry all types of goods including heavy machinery, fragile items, and sensitive items as well. Fragile items will be charged more because of their costly packaging and extra care while in transit.
There are usually 2 modes you can bring your products: one is FCL(full container load)and the second is LCL(less than a container load). If you have enough goods to fill the whole container, then FCL is ideal for you because it is economical. Usually, 20 and 40-foot containers are used to move cargo from China. Freight forwarders have deep knowledge about this mode.
Special Transportation Services For Ocean Shipping
- Reef Containers: If you want to import special products to Qatar that are temperature-sensitive, you can use reef containers for transportation. These containers have all the arrangements to maintain the temperature inside. Seafood is usually imported through reef containers.
- Out of Gauge: Some heavy machinery that can not be filled in the container is transported in large-sized containers. You can use this mode for large and heavy items like atomic reactors, construction machinery, etc.
- RoRo Containers: These are specially designed containers that carry vehicles with wheels. Cars and other vehicles are transported to Qatar from China through this vessel. They are loaded by moving on wheels and offloaded in the same way.
- Dry Bulk: In this mode, the load is directly placed or poured into the deck. Minerals and commodities are usually transported through this method.
Primary Chinese Ports
- The port of Shanghai
- The port of Tianjin
- The port of Shenzhen
- The port of Guangzhou
- The port of Qingdao
- The port of Xiamen
Primary Qatar Ports
- The port of Al Rayyan al Marine terminal
- The port of Doha
- The port of Island Halul
- The port of Al Wakrah
- Al Shaheen Terminal Port’
- Port D’umm Said
Air Freight
Air freight is the most reliable and secure option to import your products from China to Qatar. If you are connected with some Shopify business model or any e-commerce, then it will be ideal for you. You can meet any deadline if your goods are coming through air freight. So many airlines provide this service from China to Qatar.
Qatar Airways and Air China are the two airways that offer air freight services. Volumetric weight calculation is an important factor in air freight costing. You must know how to calculate volumetric weight. Height, width, and length are multiplied by each other and then divided by 6000. Your result will be your volumetric weight.
Types of Cargo
Two types of cargo are available for the transportation of products. If you want to import general products like machinery, textiles, and agricultural goods, then general cargo will be used. On the other hand, special cargo is used for Medicines, seafood, and other fragile items.
Major Airports of China
- The Beijing Capital International Airport
- The Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- The Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Major Airport of Qatar
- Doha Hamad International Airport
Express Freight
If you are in a hurry to get your products at your doorstep then express freight is the ideal option for you. You can import products within 1-2 working days from China to Qatar. It is the most costly way to get your products. However, it is a convenient option if you need it in an emergency. Many international courier companies are providing this service.
Muller & Phipps, TNT, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others are always ready to import goods in the shortest period. The volumetric weight calculation for express freight is a little bit different from the air freight. In this mode, height, width, and length are multiplied by each other and then divided by 5000. The result is the volumetric weight for express freight.
DDP
DDP is another important mode of shipping. In this mode, you have to pay all the duties and taxes in advance. You can use different methods like sea freight, air freight, and express freight for DDP. It is a costly method to import your products. However, in this mode, you don’t get involved in any kind of hassle. You just receive your products at your desired place in Qatar.
Cost of Shipping From China To Qatar
The price range for shipping to Qatar may vary depending on the shipping method and cargo size. The given table shows the estimated range to give you a general overview. It will increase with time due to increasing fuel prices.
| Shipping Mode | Container Type | Cost | Reviews |
| Sea Freight | LCL | $85-$125 per cubic meter | Suitable for less goods |
| FCL 20 foot | $1250-$1550 | Economical option | |
| FCL 40 foot | $1850-$2250 | It is best for bulk | |
| Air Freight | Per 500 kg Shipment | $6.5-$8.5 per kg | Reliable and safe |
| Express Freight | Per kg | $10-$15 | Fastest route |
Transit Time For Importing From China To Qatar
The shipping duration also varies based on your selected shipping method. Ocean shipping takes more time than air freight. Shipping through air is fast but the express option is the fastest method. Let’s see the average time for shipping from China to Qatar.
| Shipping Route | Transit time | Reviews |
| Sea shipping LCL | 25-30 days | A lot of hassle in loading and unloading the container |
| Sea Shipping FCL | 25-28 days | Can vary depending on the conditions |
| Air freight | 3-7 days | Reliable and fast |
| Express freight | 2-4 days | Fastest way |
Shipping From China To Qatar For Your Amazon Business
You can start your Amazon business in Qatar with the help of Chinese products. You can source cheap and reliable products from Ali Baba or direct import from the supplier. Store these products at the FBA warehouse in Qatar and start your Amazon journey. Chinese products are affordable and easy to import. You can also start the PL model of Amazon.
Dropshipping From China To Gulf
You can also start dropshipping models in the whole Gulf region while sitting in Qatar. This business model starts with product hunting. After product hunting, you will search for these products on Ali Express, Temu, etc. You place these products on your website without purchasing inventory.
Once you get the order, you will purchase it from the concerned website. These platforms will charge and send the items to the targeted address of your customer. In this way, you can earn a handsome profit by doing business without any investment.
Regular Imported Products From China To Qatar
- Construction material
- Software and Hardware
- Electronic items
- Automobiles
- Cell phones and their accessories
- Metals
- Commodities
- Garments including men, women, and babies
- Laptops
- Footwear
- Household interior decoration items
- Halal Meat products
- Pharmaceutical products
Prohibited Items From China To Qatar
These items are completely banned to import into Qatar:
- Radioactive substances
- Flammable products
- Pork and pork-related products
- Pornographic material
- Military-related equipment without any consent
To Conclude
We at Bansarship manage the entire shipping process, from customs clearance to prompt delivery.
If you’re shipping from ports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Guangzhou, we ensure safe delivery to major Qatar locations. They include the ports of Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and more.
Get in touch with us for all your shipping requirements.
