Carnets to Qatar Now a Reality

Exhibiting at a trade show in the Middle East just got easier and less expensive. Effective August 1ˢᵗ, 2018, Qatar (State of Qatar) will begin to issue and accept ATA Carnets. The ATA Carnet is the international customs document that allows merchandise and equipment to get through customs temporarily without paying import duty and tax. It benefits businesses showing samples, conducting demonstrations and exhibiting at trade shows overseas.

The Middle East continues the expansion of acceptance of ATA Carnets with this recent addition of Qatar to the global guarantee system. It is the 6th Middle Eastern country to join the Carnet system following Bahrain, Lebanon, Iran, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar is the 78th country in the ATA Carnet system and will accept Carnets issued for Exhibitions and Fairs. The acceptance of the ATA Carnet in Qatar is expected to support the country's preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in addition to other high-profile exhibitions and events.

The Qatar national guaranteeing association is the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI). QCCI will be responsible for guaranteeing payment of import duty and tax to other carnet countries as well as issuing Qatar carnets for use abroad. An ATA Carnet Workshop in Doha is scheduled for July 1, 2018.

Like the term "carnet," the pronunciation of Qatar is often debated. The two most commonly used versions are: "cutter" or "kuh-tar"¹. It's your choice.

Contact a Carnet Specialist at the boomerang carnets® Carnet HelpLine® , (800) ATA-2900 / (800) 282-2900 or e-mail us for additional information if you are planning to use a carnet for travel to Qatar.

¹Greg The Frequent Miler, "How to Pronounce Qatar," https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2016/03/30/how-to-pronounce-qatar/ (March 30, 2016).