Money and duty free for Qatar

Currency and Money

Currency information

Qatari Riyal (QAR; symbol QR)= 100 dirhams. Notes are in denominations of QR500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5, 1 dirhams. The exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar at an average rate of US$1 = QR3.64.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

ATM

There are ATM machines throughout Qatar.

Travellers cheques

Traveller's cheques are no longer popular.

Banking hours

Sun-Thu 0730-1200 and 1530-1930.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but cash, precious jewellery and all financial means need to be declared if their value exceeds QR50,000. Israeli currency is prohibited.

Currency exchange

All major banks and hotels will exchange currency.

Qatar duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Qatar without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes (alternatively 20 cigars or 300g pipe tobacco or 500g raw tobacco or 2kg Shisha hookah, as long as the value of the tobacco products does not exceed QR3,000).
•  Value of one gift below QR3,000.
Please note that you cannot take alcohol with you.

Banned Imports

Alcoholic drinks, drugs, indecent materials (books, magazines etc), weapons, ammunitions, explosives and radioactive equipment.