Qatar Raises Customs Duties on Selected Chicken and Agricultural Products

• Qatar will increase the customs duty on selected fresh and chilled chicken products from 5% to 18% from 15 November 2026.
• Tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes will become subject to a 15% seasonal tariff during specified peak-production periods, replacing the current 0% tariff.
• Importers should review product classifications, origin documentation, preferential-treatment eligibility and the resulting impact on the import VAT base and landed cost.

Extended article

Qatar will increase customs duties on selected chicken and agricultural products from 15 November 2026.

Amiri Decree No. 45 of 2026, issued on 16 September 2026, introduces higher tariffs for specified products as part of Qatar’s customs and domestic-production policy.

Chicken products

The customs duty on selected fresh and chilled chicken products will increase from 5% to 18%.

Importers should determine whether their products fall within the tariff classifications covered by the measure. The commercial product description should not be used as a substitute for the applicable customs classification.

Reviews should take into account:

• the tariff code;
• the product’s physical characteristics;
• whether it is fresh, chilled or frozen;
• the degree of processing;
• the packaging and presentation; and
• any classification rulings or explanatory materials issued by the customs authority.

Seasonal tariffs for vegetables

Qatar will also introduce a 15% customs tariff on:

• tomatoes;
• aubergines; and
• courgettes.

These products are currently subject to a 0% tariff. The 15% rate will apply during the specified peak-production months for each product.

Importers will therefore need to consider both the product classification and the date on which the goods are entered for customs purposes. Goods purchased or shipped before a peak period may nevertheless become subject to the higher tariff if the relevant customs event occurs during the protected period.

Businesses should confirm the applicable date under Qatar’s customs rules, particularly for goods in transit when a seasonal tariff changes.

Preferential imports

Imports covered by preferential trade arrangements, including qualifying imports from other GCC states, are exempt from the increased tariff.

Eligibility for preferential treatment will generally depend on the applicable rules of origin. The fact that goods are dispatched from another GCC country may not be sufficient if they do not acquire GCC origin under the relevant rules.

Importers should retain:

• valid certificates or declarations of origin;
• supplier origin statements;
• production and processing information;
• transport documentation;
• commercial invoices; and
• other evidence required by the customs authority.

Where goods pass through a third country, businesses should also consider whether the direct-transport or non-manipulation requirements have been satisfied.

Impact on import VAT and landed cost

The customs-duty increase may also raise the amount of import VAT payable where customs duty forms part of the taxable import value.

The resulting cost impact may therefore include:

• the additional customs duty;
• additional import VAT;
• customs-clearance and guarantee implications;
• higher inventory financing requirements; and
• changes to distributor or customer pricing.

Import VAT may ultimately be recoverable by a VAT-registered importer if Qatar introduces VAT and the relevant recovery conditions are met. However, customs duty is generally a final cost unless a relief, exemption, suspension regime or preferential tariff applies.

Businesses should update their landed-cost calculations before 15 November 2026 and determine whether existing sales contracts allow the additional customs cost to be passed to the customer.

Licensing requirements for unmanned aircraft

Separately, Qatar has introduced licensing requirements for unmanned aircraft and their parts.

Law No. 10 of 2026 Concerning Unmanned Aircraft requires a licence from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority to:

• import;
• export;
• trade in; or
• lease unmanned aircraft and their parts.

Importers should ensure that the necessary licence is obtained before the goods are shipped or presented for customs clearance. Customs classification and product descriptions should clearly identify items subject to the licensing regime.

Recommended actions

Businesses importing the affected products should:

1. Confirm the customs classification of each product.
2. Identify shipments expected to clear customs on or after 15 November 2026.
3. Review whether seasonal agricultural tariffs apply.
4. Verify eligibility for GCC or other preferential treatment.
5. Obtain and retain valid origin documentation.
6. Update customs-duty and landed-cost calculations.
7. Assess the impact on the import VAT base.
8. Review pricing and Incoterms with suppliers and customers.
9. Confirm licensing requirements for unmanned aircraft and related parts.

The changes demonstrate the importance of integrating customs monitoring into procurement and pricing processes. A tariff change affects not only the customs declaration but potentially the VAT base, inventory value, margins and contractual allocation of import costs.

Sources:

• Qatar General Authority of Customs Administrative Circular No. 1367 and Amiri Decree No. 45 of 2026
• Qatar Civil Aviation Authority: Law No. 10 of 2026 on the Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft