IrishManc

Hi,

Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring in training supplements into Doha through your checked in luggage? Items such as Whey Protein, BCAA powder, fat burning tablets, CLA tablet supplements

I am returning to the UK shortly and would like to bring some back as they are not available here. I have been to the GMC stand in Villagio however don't sell the major stuff I want and price is quite expensive.

Can I be stopped and the products taken off me or am I just being too cautious?

Thanks in advance

co durham boy

It could show up on the bag scanner but i wouldnt be too nervous . They'll not be too arsed with it . They'd rather put some poor labourer through the mill for bringing through 3KG of chapati flour !

JamesandTamsin

I regularly bring back large quantities of Powder from the UK and most recently Dubai as the selection here is pitiful. The GNC gear is overpriced and not particularly flavourful and the other place here (Supplement House) only sells Scitec Nutrition which is far too watery for my liking.

I've only ever been stopped once and they asked what was in the bag marked "Whey Protein". I told them it was Whey Protein. He asked me to open the bag, he sniffed at the French Vanilla goodness, smiled and beckoned me to F off which I duly obliged.

IrishManc

Thanks JamesandTamsin,

I was back in the UK since but didn't want to risk it just incase. A friend of a friend gave us a website to buy on. It comes from Dubai and actually got delivered to Hamad Medical Centre for me to collect. I did have to go to the DHL office on Salwa Road first to collect my invoice and customs sheet and then Hamad Medical Centre however once there, they opened the box in front of me and a doctor grunted his approval, signed my customs form and I was on my way!

the website is http://qa.sporter.com/ if its any use to you. I don't think it is badly priced compared to the UK but now I know the procedure, I will look at prices to get delivered from the UK.

OneBrightStar

Thanks for sharing your experience. How much worth of stuff did you order and did they charge any duty etc?

IrishManc

You are only allowed to order 6 items at a time, and if you spend a certain amount you get a free gift so my first order was two large whey protein's and two tubs of tablets (my free cup shakers added made it 6 items) which cost QAR600 and then QAR 119 was added for delivery. the company sorts out any duty or customs as far as I'm aware.

I just paid and picked up a few days later. I found it quite good service compared to over paying from the likes of GNC.

co durham boy

Interesting stuff , handy if you're taking a lot of supplements . I don't use a lot myself , maybe some post recovery now and again , a lot of it's just money marketing sugar / caffeine potions but each to their own .

Try Fitness Qatar on Instragram , they have a lot of stuff that's not available in the shops here .

scrubbedexpat141

You're much more modern than I had you down for...

co durham boy

I've a few strings to my bow bonny lad . Always keep your powder dry

scrubbedexpat141

Indeed. I tip my hat to you.

OneBrightStar

Ordered yesterday for 10 items, DHL called in the morning to confirm the address and have just delivered the box. No tax no additional money.

Expiry date is at the end of 2016 for most of the products so quite happy with the overall service considering they are the authorised dealer for most of the big brands.

IrishManc

OneBrightStar, was this order from sporter.com? If not who?
I ordered yesterday morning from Sporter.com and it arrived today at lunch time, direct to my villa so didn't have to go to Hamad Medical centre this time. Maybe its just the protein that has to be checked??

OneBrightStar

Yes ordered from sporter.com Excellent service.

But I ordered protein as well which was not checked and got delivered to my work location.