Wood packaging import rules: Qatar

ISPM 15 on imports

Not confirmed

Enforced since

—

Treatments

HT, MB (per ISPM 15; national acceptance not confirmed)

Plant protection authority

Ministry of Municipality, Agricultural Affairs Department (plant quarantine)

Common pallet sizes

1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm (EUR)

Main ports

Hamad Port, Ruwais Port, Doha Port (limited), Hamad International Airport

Overview

Qatar is a contracting party to the IPPC, and plant quarantine for imports is run by the agricultural affairs department of the Ministry of Municipality. I could not obtain a legal text requiring ISPM 15 marking on wooden packaging, and Qatar is not on the New Zealand MPI or USDA APHIS lists, so the entry is recorded as unclear and no start year is given. Almost all containerised imports arrive at Hamad Port, which opened in 2017 south of Doha and replaced Doha Port as the main container gateway, with Ruwais in the north for some regional and ro-ro traffic. The Abu Samra land crossing with Saudi Arabia carries trucked food and goods, and its importance grew after the blockade ended in 2021 and, before that, after Qatar built direct shipping links to Oman, Kuwait and other ports. Qatar imports nearly all its food, construction materials and equipment. The 2022 FIFA World Cup and the energy sector drove heavy project cargo, much of it crated in treated wood by overseas suppliers, and treated pallets are standard practice in the supply chains of the big operators. Pallets in the market are mostly 1200 × 1000 mm in food, beverage and dairy supply chains, plus 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallets for European goods, with pallet rental and plastic options in modern retail. Timber is imported, there is little local manufacturing, and no national pooling operator is verified. Check requirements with the consignee.

Key points

• Not listed on NZ MPI or USDA APHIS ISPM 15 tables
• Hamad Port is the main container gateway since 2017
• Heavy construction and energy project cargo
• Land trade with Saudi Arabia at Abu Samra

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. New Zealand MPI – ISPM 15 requirements by country
2. USDA APHIS – Countries requiring ISPM 15 wood packaging
3. IPPC country page – Qatar

Import rules change. Confirm current requirements with the national plant protection organization or your importer before shipping. This page is general information, not legal advice.