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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Can I bring food into Qatar?

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bubblewrap8332592

81

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 21:11

Amy, you shouldn't have any problem bringing in food. My sister brings back stuff all the time. (Also, playing cards are definitely allowed in this country. The more likely explanation for not being able to find them is that shops are terrible at making sure things are always in stock.)

121

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 10:07

My husband was looking everywhere for playing cards at one stage and wondering why they're so difficult to find! Finally we know why...!

29

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 10:02

With regard to contraband, my husband has had poker chips confiscated at the airport. He was visiting at the time and his brother asked for them. They did keep them for him and he picked up the poker chips on the way out! I have personally bought playing cards at the shop in our compound. They didn't seem to be hidden or have black market prices. Strangely enough, my father just brought in 6 or 7 bags of chocolate filled with liqueur, no problem. I think you will find it is pretty hit or miss.

121

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 01:15

My moving guys rewrapped my brand new flat paced IKEA stuff to look the same as my disassembled used furniture with moving company packiging, not IKEA. The movers suggested this and seemed to regard it as standard practise?! When my container arrived several of my boxes had been opened by customs, maybe 20%, they seem to do random checks.... I would avoid at all costs bringing banned medication into this country, or alcohol. And not stress too much about the rest... Good luck :)

487

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 00:42

I'll stick the playing cards in my hand luggage then. Do they really go through your shipped stuff in that much detail? Are they going to open every single box and properly rifle through everything? I'm a bit worried about that, as a large proportion of our boxes is flat-packed IKEA stuff and I don't want them tearing into it and losing all the screws and bits. Also, any tips on how to avoid import tax on the IKEA stuff? Removals men advised me to open and re-seal all the boxes, which I have done, but it still looks brand new, as they're all sellotaped up anyway when you pick them up from IKEA so they don't exactly look any different now.

445

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 23:39

yes- playing cards are supposedly a no-no. I don't know anyone who has had a problem with them, but I do have a friend who had poker chips confiscated.

117

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 22:56

We found that being really nice to the guys packing up our stuff led to certain boxes getting packed unexpectedly... like the boxes with all the food that they said - very loudly, while they were packing them - that they weren't allowed to pack. I guess mom was right about the whole getting more with sugar than vinegar. :)

487

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 21:51

Thanks all, especially ccdoha :D

697

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 20:13

Forget food, bring hair products :)

kiwispiers15400

2782

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 19:37

Of course if they do find pork they will confiscate it, not sure if there would be a fine attached. I always bring back food, there is no need to declare anything. The only thing that is likely to get you searched is anything liquid, as they will see it in the x-ray and want to check to make sure it isn't alcohol. There are certain banned medications, things with codeine and pseudoephidrine, but I think so long as they are in ltd amounts and prescribed to you you are fine. Shipping companies don't tend to let you send food, I think it could hold up your shipment at customs if you did. I believe playing cards and anything that can be used for gambling/witchcraft is also illegal. :)

121

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 18:58

We have brought pretty much everything into Qatar in our hold luggage without problems, including bacon and pork sausages (wouldn't risk bringing alcohol though), chocolate and tea bags would definitely be okay as far as I'm aware. When I shipped my stuff over to Qatar the moving company only packed dry items like flour and spices. All other food items - even canned goods and sealed bottles - had to be left behind. <em>edited by Novice on 16/02/2011</em>

487

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 17:09

I'm flying out in 2 weeks to join my husband permanently in Qatar :) Just a quick question - can I bring food with me in my hold luggage on Qatar Airways? I know pork and alcohol are banned, but can I bring things like tea bags and chocolate? Is anything else banned that I need to be aware of? Also, do you know if the shipping company will let us put non-perishable food stuffs into our container? I'm trying really hard to eat as much as I can, but I am going to have pots of spices left over and an unopened bag of rice, among other things.

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