Which country has the higher VAT rate, China or Qatar?

China: 13% / 9% / 6%. Qatar: n/a (5% from 2027).

What's the de minimis import threshold for each?

China: USD 21. Qatar: USD 2700.

Who is the customs authority in each country?

China: General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Qatar: General Authority of Customs — State of Qatar.

Which categories are restricted in each?

China restricts: Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ); Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required); Certain chemicals and hazardous materials; Radioactive materials; Seeds and plant materials (phytosanitary certificate required). Qatar restricts: Firearms and ammunition (Ministry of Interior permit, pre-arrival); Pharmaceuticals (Ministry of Public Health registration; personal prescription exception); Telecommunications equipment (CRA type approval); Religious material of other faiths in quantities above personal use; Pork and pork products (non-Muslim expat allowance only; specific retail channels).

🇨🇳 China vs 🇶🇦 Qatar

Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.

	🇨🇳 China	🇶🇦 Qatar
Customs authority	General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)	General Authority of Customs — State of Qatar
VAT / GST	13% / 9% / 6%	n/a (5% from 2027)
De minimis (USD)	USD 21	USD 2700
Cash declaration (USD)	USD 5000	USD 15000
Duty-free alcohol (L)	1.5	0
Duty-free cigarettes	400	400
Duty-free personal goods (USD)	USD 730	USD 800
Prohibited categories	Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Publications, films, and materials deemed harmful to China's political or social stability; Gambling equipment; Counterfeit currency; Animal and plant species protected under CITES without permits	Alcohol (personal import prohibited; alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and via the Qatar Distribution Company for resident permit holders); Narcotics and psychotropic substances (death penalty possible for trafficking offences); Pork for commercial import (retail sale limited to Qatar Distribution Company); Counterfeit goods; Obscene material and material deemed contrary to Islamic principles
Restricted categories	Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ); Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required); Certain chemicals and hazardous materials; Radioactive materials	Firearms and ammunition (Ministry of Interior permit, pre-arrival); Pharmaceuticals (Ministry of Public Health registration; personal prescription exception); Telecommunications equipment (CRA type approval); Religious material of other faiths in quantities above personal use; Pork and pork products (non-Muslim expat allowance only; specific retail channels)
Known scams	Fake Chinese visa / invitation-letter services demanding high fees. Use only the embassy / consulate in your home country or authorised Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC).	Unauthorised taxi drivers at DOH arrivals sometimes add a 'parking fee' or 'premium' — use only Karwa metered taxis from the official rank or Uber/Careem. • Medications confiscation risk: many common painkillers (e.g., tramadol, certain benzodiazepines) are controlled and require prior MoPH approval via the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department.

Detailed pages: China • Qatar

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