Shipping from Qatar to the US | Rates, Times & Taxes 2024

Do you want to import or export between Qatar and the United States? Qatar is attached to the Asian continent despite its proximity to Africa. The country has wide access to the sea. Importers of goods manufactured from Qatar for sale in the United States have a variety of transportation choices. Qatar has many conditions and requirements for the operation of certain goods. This guide allows you to understand any surprises you may encounter during your expedition.

If you have any questions about any subject regarding shipping between Qatar and the United States, contact our DocShipper customer support on our website.

Sea freight between Qatar and the United States

Qatar and the United States hold many ports with several routes to choose from, which will make it easier to choose the closest shipping route with your supplier.

However, sea freight is the most used and common international freight method, and it is generally the most economical method of shipping between Qatar and the United States.

The transit time between Qatar and the United States can vary between 9–12 weeks.

If you are looking for a trusted partner for sea freight between Qatar and the United States, look no further than DocShipper! We can help you with any type of shipment and, type of container and all the documentation you need depending on your budget and time requirements.

Should I ship by groupage or full container between Qatar and the United States?

When shipping to the United States by sea, the customer has flexibility in customizing their shipment to meet their specific needs.

Containers are the most important part of the whole shipping process.

They contain a variety of products that need to be shipped from one part of the world to another using different types of container ships.

There are 3 types of container ships:

HQ at 40 feet (High Cube, which has a capacity of 76 cubic meters).
The 40ft container (which has a capacity of 67 cubic meters)
The 20ft container (which has a capacity of 33 cubic meters)

Maritime consolidation or LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCL allows you to transport smaller volumes for a lower price than FCL (Full Container Load). It consists of a container in which several shippers are grouped.

The cost of LCL shipments is prorated to the volume required and generally includes a mandatory minimum allowance of one cubic meter.

Advantages of LCL

Pricing is based on space
Authorized for all types of goods
Cost-effective for small quantities
Costs are shared according to the quantity transported

Disadvantages of LCL

Expensive for large volumes, over 13 CBM
Possible conflict with co-loaders when sharing a container
Difficult to find co-shippers when it comes to dangerous or perishable goods
When dealing with dangerous or perishable goods, it can be difficult to find co-shippers

Full Container Load (FCL)

FCL is an excellent way to transport goods from Qatar to the United States, especially if the volume to be shipped is large. This is enough cargo to fill a 20 or 40 foot shipping container.

Advantages of FCL

Importing from Qatar to the United States via an FCL service is often the best option for companies with:

Freight to be delivered on a specific date.
Goods that must be shipped alone without other products in the same container.
Cargo with a large volume, more than 16 CBM.
Facilities in the United States to load and seal their container
A consignee who can easily unload the container in Qatar

Disadvantages of FCL

Here are some disadvantages of FCL:

Delivery of a full container requires the use of additional equipment and labor, hence another payment.
When shipping FCL, delivery can become more complicated as large shipments are being shipped in short periods.
Shipping large quantities requires acquiring and paying for additional inventory space.
FCL is likely to be more expensive for smaller loads (13 CBM or less).

Which Incoterm should I choose to ship to Qatar ?

When seeking a quote from a logistics provider, it is always a good idea to provide the Incoterms that the buyer and seller have agreed upon to get an accurate quote.

INCOTERM® Terms and Conditions specify 11 standardized terms that release the responsibilities and costs of buyers and sellers, including the costs and risks associated with the movement of goods, transport security and other obligations associated with the transport of goods.

Whether the buyer and seller have agreed to an FOB, CIF, EXW, DAP, DDP or other type of Incoterm agreement, the party responsible for covering these costs will be determined by the type of contract that she agreed.

Among the commercial conditions, you can choose from:

EXW - This stands for (Ex Works) and works in favor of the seller at the expense of the buyer. It is a condition of international trade that the seller uses the product at the location specified by the buyer. The cost of transporting the cargo to these locations is often borne by the buyer.
FOB - (Free on Board) is another commercial term referring to who is liable for damage to goods on board. Determine whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for the damage. Simply put, when the seller ships the cargo, the buyer is exposed to a very high risk.
DAP - (Delivery at Place) is an agreement where the seller pays all freight and insurance costs to a specified location. This is usually very clear and marks when the buyer takes full responsibility for shipping.

There must be an agreement between the buyer and the seller so that neither party invokes bad faith.

Other Inconterm 2010 commercial conditions applied for Qatar: FCA (Free Carrier), FAS (Free Alongside Ship), CFR (Cost and Freight), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), CPT (Carriage Paid To), CIP (Carriage and Insurance paid to), DAF (delivered at border), DES (delivered ex ship), DEQ (delivered ex quay), DDU (delivered duty unpaid) and DDP (delivered duty paid).

How much does it cost to ship freight from Qatar to the US?

The total cost of shipping goods from Qatar to the United States is determined by several factors such as ocean freight, packaging, customs and insurance costs and lastly a very important factor the type of carrier selected.

If the volume is less than 15 cubic meters, LCL is more relevant than FCL. We remind you that the cost of maritime freight is determined according to the weight and volume of the goods transported.

To get the most accurate estimate, get a quote from a Qatar freight forwarder.

How much time does it take to transport goods by sea between Qatar and the US?

How long does it take to transport goods by sea between Qatar and the United States?

Shipping containers to Qatar and the United States usually arrive in less than a month. Average transit time is 30 transit days, after the ship arrives can extend by 5–6 days depending on where your goods leave Qatar and where they are sent to the United States.

To get the most accurate estimate, get a quote from a Qatar freight forwarder.

What are the advantages of shipping from Qatar to the United States via sea freight?

There is a reason why almost all companies that import goods from Qatar to the United States do so by ocean freight. It is for the same reason that the United States has about 360 river ports. When transporting goods over long distances, ocean freight is an easy and commendable option.

Sea freight offers the greatest flexibility, with the ability to ship, store, route, and transport goods of any quantity to any location. It is also essential for Qatar and for its economic interactions with the rest of the world.

Air freight between Qatar and the US

Air freight is a fast and safe way to transport goods from Qatar to the United States. If the volume of your delivery is less than 3 m3, it would be better for you to choose the air way.

Air transport also provides an additional level of security, making it ideal for shippers of valuables or goods that require special attention. Finally, thanks to complete traceability, customers can follow the progress of their cargo throughout its journey.

When shipping from Qatar to the United States, it is important to know the difference between traditional air freight, air express shipping.

Traditional air freight:

This type of cargo takes care of the transport of goods on scheduled flights. They retain their personal space on planes. It is used by airlines such as British Airways, Air China, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and Qatar Airways. It is also cheaper than express air cargo.

Air express shipping:

Express freight makes it possible to ensure delivery in less than a week, where transport by sea or rail would take several weeks. This type of freight is more expensive because the goods are delivered by aircraft designed specifically for air freight.

It is managed by delivery companies that provide door-to-door services, such as TNT, FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.

The main airport in Qatar

DOH - Hamad International Airport (this is the only airport with regular service in Qatar. From this airport, 41 airlines serve 116 destinations)

The main airports in the United States:

Boston airport
New York airport
Los Angeles airport
San Francisco airport
Las Vegas airport
Denver airport

What are the advantages of shipping from Qatar to the United States via sea freight?

Sea freight offers the greatest flexibility, with the ability to ship, store, route, and transport goods of any quantity to any location. It is also essential for Qatar and for its economic interactions with the rest of the world.

Transit time between Qatar and US airports

Transit time varies, influenced by location, size of commodity and season. This shipment may be delayed due to market conditions, natural disasters and other events. Freight transit time may take 1–5 days.

How to calculate the cost of air freight?

The cost of air freight is equal to the chargeable weight. It depends on the mass to volume ratio, and this mass is also used to calculate the total cargo for which the airline tariff rate is reduced. Then we need to apply the “Pay for” rule to get the net rate. The carrier calculates the price paid based on the maximum weight of the top strap, not the actual weight of the item. That's why this rule is called “Pay for”

1 CBM = 167 Kg in traditional airfreight

1 CBM = 200 kg for express air cargo

Customs duties in Qatar

Understanding how customs duties work in Qatar is very important for wanting to do business in this country. The government of Qatar imposes tariffs on goods entering the country. These customs duties are taxes imposed by governments on imported goods and services, intended to protect national industries from foreign competition.

Customs duties in Qatar vary from 5% to 20%, depending on the type of goods and services imported.

What is the formula for calculating customs fees and taxes?

For imported and exported products, the United States, like most other countries, uses the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS). Each commodity is given an HTS code that relates to a specific product. This code will be used to establish the customs charges for the product in each country visited.

An HTS code is made up of the following elements.

How to find your product’s HS code and check the duty rate?

In order to know the HTS code of your goods, just ask your supplier. Indeed, if he is used to selling his products for export, he will probably know the HTS code.

You can also search the tariff database of any country using the “Harmonized System” by simply entering a keyword, such as “pineapple” in our example.

Let's see it together:

Please click on the US Customs HTS

Click on the “search” button after entering the keyword “pineapple”.

This will direct you to the next page.

Let's take a look at the results:

You now know the Pineapple HTS Code!

What documents are needed to ship goods between Qatar and the United States?

This is the necessary documentation for your customs procedures:

Packing list
Commercial invoice
Certificate of origin
Letter of credit
Dangerous goods forms
Export license (if required)
Carriage contract (House Bill of Lading)
Master bill of lading
Automated manifest system
Recipient (CNEE)
Domestic transit number (IT#)
CBP Form 7501 “Entry Summary”

Products whose importation into the United States is prohibited or restricted

The United States restricts the entry of certain items, such as:

Fire arms
Cat and dog fur
Products of nations under embargo
Defense related products or articles for military or proliferation use
Automobiles (subject to Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation approval)
Cultural objects and goods (subject to an export permit from the country of origin)
Absinthe
Gold
Wild animals and fish

Goods Restricted and Prohibited in Qatar

Here is a list of products prohibited from importation:

Pork and pork products
pornographic material
Security and military equipment if you don't have a license
Drogue
Flammability
Radioactive product
Products that infringe trademark rights
Alcohol is not allowed to be imported, as the Qatar Distribution Company is responsible.

Transportation insurance department.

The insurance rate varies according to the method of transport that was used to transport your goods, as well as the nature of the goods and the insurance company. DocShipper offers Shipping Insurance, also known as Expedition Insurance, to protect your shipments against all possible risks during transit, including theft, damage, and delay. The sum will be determined by the market value if there is no invoice. Shipping costs will of course be covered.

Do not hesitate to visit our page dedicated to insurance services for more information.

FAQ | Freight Shipping between Qatar and the US | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

What are the possible means of transport between the US and Qatar?

In 2021, Qatari exports increase by two levels to reach USD 87.2 billion, thanks to the post-covid global economic recovery. There are several ways to transport your goods. You can ship them by air, sea, standard express, rail, and/or trucking services. If you want to ship goods from Qatar, contact us! We are here to support you in your procedures from start to finish.

Should I take out cargo insurance?

Although you are not obliged to do so, we strongly recommend that you take out insurance. You cannot hold the carrier responsible for your loss, in the event of an incident occurring during transport. Thus, the only way to be reimbursed in the event of a claim is to have taken out insurance that will reimburse you.

What is the cheapest international shipping method from Qatar?

It is important that you know the weight of your shipments to optimize the cost of your exports, if you are looking for an inexpensive shipment, opt for sea freight which is cheaper than air. It is made for large volumes of goods. You have to be careful when choosing your shipping method, paying attention to the different advantages that each mode of transport brings.

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Freight Shipping between Qatar and the US | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

The most suitable shipping method from Qatar to the US

Sea freight between Qatar and the United States

The main ports in Qatar

The main ports in the US