Importing frozen açaí and açaí sorbet into Qatar: a buyer guide

This guide is for Qatar importers, HORECA distributors, hotel groups and café chains planning to bring in frozen açaí pulp or açaí sorbet. It summarises the official and reputable sources we could cite as at 22 October 2026. It is not legal advice: check each point with your importer of record and customs broker before you ship.

Terrapure quotes organic frozen açaí pulp and powder, and Açaí Scoop sorbet (not sold as organic), from Brazil. We do not hold stock or have an office in Qatar. Market page: açaí wholesale Qatar. Buying for Doha cafés, hotels or gyms? See açaí supplier Doha.

The sorbet is not sold as organic. Organic wording applies to the frozen pulp and the powder only.

1. Who does what

• The Qatar importer is a Qatar registered company. Registering a food establishment in the Ministry of Public Health's Wathiq system needs a Qatari commercial registration, an establishment card and the owner's Qatari ID (Sharek: registration of a food establishment).
• Your customs broker files the import declaration in the Al Nadeeb single window, which starts the food inspection service.
• The exporter (Terrapure) provides label, ingredient and specification details for registration, certificates of analysis on request and, for pulp and powder only, the organic certificate on request.

2. Register the company and each product

The importing company and its products must be registered in Wathiq and meet MoPH technical regulations (Sharek: inspection of imported food; MoPH food item registration). For açaí, each format is a separate product: a 10 kg pail of pulp, a 1.5 kg pot, and each sorbet flavour and tub size.

3. Documents at entry

Sharek lists, for imported food shipments (source):

• a health certificate from the official authorities, or a certificate of conformity from an accredited body;
• a halal certificate where applicable;
• the invoice and packing list;
• a copy of the customs declaration.

MoPH asks for a halal certificate for food containing ingredients of animal origin and for food carrying a halal label or logo (MoPH halal import guideline, 2022). We make no halal claim on this site. Halal documentation: ask us.

4. Arabic labels and dates

Labels can be in Arabic only or in Arabic and English, and Arabic stickers are accepted. Production and expiry dates must be printed by the manufacturer on the original label or container, not added by sticker, and products should arrive with at least half their shelf life remaining (US International Trade Administration: Qatar labelling). Arabic and English artwork, including private label sorbet and the caffeine wording for Açaí with Guaraná, is agreed with your quote.

5. Duty and tax

Qatar applies 5% customs duty on the CIF value under the GCC Customs Union, with listed exemptions (Invest Qatar: customs). Frozen pulp is not fresh fruit, so do not assume an exemption; your broker confirms the line. Qatar does not currently charge VAT (PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries).

6. Routes and cold chain

Sea freight arrives at Hamad Port, which has a customs inspection area and a free zone next to the port (Mwani Qatar). Air cargo arrives at Hamad International Airport, whose cargo terminal handles temperature controlled shipments (Hamad International Airport cargo). Pulp and sorbet move frozen at -18°C. We quote either mode; we do not publish transit times.

7. First shipment checklist

• Confirm the importer's Wathiq registration and register each product.
• Agree Arabic and English label artwork before production.
• Confirm with your importer whether a halal certificate is needed for each product.
• Choose sea to Hamad Port or air to Hamad International Airport, and plan freezer space at -18°C.
• Check temperature, packs and dates on arrival with our receiving checklist.

Pulp or sorbet for Qatar?

FAQ

Does açaí need to be registered before import into Qatar?

Yes. The importing company and its products must be registered in the Ministry of Public Health's Wathiq system, and the importer needs a Qatari commercial registration (Sharek).

What documents are checked at entry?

Sharek lists a health certificate or certificate of conformity, a halal certificate where applicable, the invoice, the packing list and a copy of the customs declaration.

Do labels need to be in Arabic?

Labels can be in Arabic only or in Arabic and English, and Arabic stickers are accepted, but production and expiry dates must be printed by the manufacturer (US International Trade Administration).

What duty applies in Qatar?

Qatar applies 5% customs duty on the CIF value under the GCC Customs Union, with listed exemptions. Qatar does not currently charge VAT. Your broker confirms the line for each product.

Is Terrapure's açaí halal certified?

We make no halal claim on this site. Halal documentation: ask us.

Is Terrapure's açaí sorbet organic?

No. Açaí Scoop sorbet is not sold as organic. Organic applies to the frozen pulp and powder, and the organic certificate for those is available on request.

Does Terrapure hold stock in Qatar?

No. Terrapure quotes from Brazil and does not hold stock or have an office in Qatar. Sea or air delivery is confirmed on quote.

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Related: açaí wholesale Qatar · açaí wholesale UAE · UAE import guide · how to import frozen açaí (all markets)