weasel decentral

is my memory fading or am i imagining that i bought booze in the airport going into doha from a duty free outlet in the terminal (the privilege terminal if that makes a difference)

anyone?

Alexa

Do you mean arriving in Doha? Well, yes, you can buy it, but you can't take it out of the airport...

weasel decentral

i thought that but i seem to remember bringing some in. i wonder did i put it in checked luggage and it made it through?
i remember seeing a guy also being given a receipt for confiscated stuff, as if he could collect it leaving.
anyone just throw it into checked luggage?

i am mystified why i am sure i brought some in

Alexa

Don't know either...it's defo illegal to bring it in.

Johnnyboy11

I think you'd be ok with booze in your checked-in luggage, since it is unlikely to be opened and checked. At worst, it would just be confiscated.

Hand luggage is more risky, since it will be scanned on arrival at Doha, downstream of immigration and upstream of baggage collection. A mate of mine had a couple of bottles confiscated at that check point, even though he was able to show a valid Liquor Licence (so a commercial matter rather than a religious one).

[J]

Oyibopeppeh

Don't be so sure of that...

Going from one GCC state to another, if they (the security) notice something curious in checked-in baggage when it's X-rayed, they'll put a sticker (usually a small white disc, about 1" dia) on the baggage, which the customs at the other end will look out for.

I've been pulled a couple of times for carrying suspect oilfield parts and equipment - they get a quick glance over and then no further interest.

If you notice these stickers after your baggage comes off the carousel, pull 'em off immediately to avoid further hassle.

Debowing

When I was there, you could only purchase alcohol from the departures duty free and export it to your destination country. On arrival, you can also buy duty free items, but there is no alcohol since one is not allowed to import alcohol into Qatar.

Unlike Dubai, where on arrival one can purchase two boxes of heineken beers (48 cans) wow!!! at the arrival duty free and import them into Dubai...But not during Ramadhan.

In think Doha-ites should be called Dohanos.

Debowing

The liquor licence is in effect only so that one can buy alcohol from the one licenced shop only. One must realise that the Qatari authorities have made the law to guarrantee the success of this shop only.

Additionally if pork products are found in your baggage, that is also illegal and it could mean deportation if there is a big quantity.

Having said that, the first time I entered Qatar, I had a bottle of wine with me and they merely confiscated it, without any hassles.

But these are but tiny hurdles in an otherwise fulfilling and wonderfully happy life in the 'Switzerland of Arabia' the exciting city of Dawhah...

amy77

I don't think it's just inter-GCC travel. We came from London once with a bag of pigs' ears for the dog.

We had three suitcases and the pigs ears were in the only one which was searched as we walked through Customs. The case MUST have been marked somehow during the baggage handling process between plane and luggage belt.

I gave the customs officer my most sad, doleful expression and kept checking my watch anxiously, and he barely searched the bag at all before waving me on through - he didn't notice the pigs' ears.

Sandboy

I was told that in Dubai they'll put something on your bag downstairs and when you walk through the gates leading to the exit you set a light off

could be bollocks but I always check my bag now...

Oyibopeppeh

I think it's something akin to the security tags in shops which is contained in the sticker

mikewot

RFID

Oyibopeppeh

Not a bad educated guess then....

britexpat76

I shipped an Ikea rug here and It got tagged. They place the metal strip underneath the shipping tags so you cannot see them.