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 Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.
ATM
There are ATM machines throughout Qatar, although there are fewer outside the capital, Doha.
Travellers cheques
Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking hours
Sun-Thurs 0730-1300. Many banks open for longer hours and open on Saturdays too.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but all amounts and all financial means need to be declared. 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.
• Personal items and gifts up to a value of QR3,000.
Banned Imports
Alcoholic drinks, drugs, indecent materials (books, magazines etc), weapons, ammunitions, explosives and radioactive equipment.
