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titanicman · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 71 Location: Qatar

I've heard the custom fees at the land border between Saudi and Qatar have tripled in the past few weeks since a huge number of people have gone to the border. Can anyone verify this?

When is the best time of day and day of the week to go to (and to avoid) the land border crossing?

Thanks.........Titanicman

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Custom fees ? What DO you mean ?

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

It is kind of fee you pay for your custom, mister. Also payable is a fee on your tradition.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Whatever the fee is, it is not a customs fee !

Customs is a tax usually expressed as a percentage of value payable on goods imported from one country to another. Between the GCC States there are no customs fees.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Not completely true. Oman charged me quite a significant amount of 'customs' to bring in my car from Kuwait - I believe that it was about 10% of their valuation. The law was imposed because so many Omanis were going to the Emirates to buy their cars - larger market there, so cheaper prices.

I arrived within a couple of weeks of its being put into effect. When I left there was still lots of rumbling about it, and there was talk of it being rescinded, but I don't know if they did or not.

VS

titanicman · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 71 Location: Qatar

I safely drove over the Qatari/Saudi border and am now enjoying myself in Doha. No custom/duties on my car/personal belongings. But a lot of hassle on the Saudi-side. If I had no known there would be so much hassle, I would have taken the easy route and shipped all my stuff. But overall, the 8-hour drive was worthwhile. If you have the chance and know you won't be in this part of the world again, it's worth the experience. But triple-check every single document you're using with the Saudi custom boys b/c they are (politely as possible) pr.....

Cheers. Titanicman

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is the fee for a visa. 55 Qatari Riyals. Seemed good value. Qatar is quite different from KSA.

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

They make you wait a long time and then they charge you money.

That is called taxing your patience.

livinginQatar · Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Qatar

I have to agree. The Saudi's are @#$%s at the border, no matter what your nationality is. They have perfected the art of taxing your patience. They could atleast put a Starbucks there for you to wait in.... sheesh

Ahlan wa sahlan or welcome to Qatar for those of you who have just arrived. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable stay.