The Qatar market for Indian tamarind
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Gulf diaspora retail and Middle Eastern cooking (tamarind drinks and sauces).
Indian community in Qatar (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 830,491 NRIs (PIO data not available).
Tamarind specification for Qatar orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Seed content (seedless grade) | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Fibre | ≤ 2-3% (typical) |
| Moisture (pulp blocks) | 18-25% (typical) |
| Tartaric acid | about 8-14% (typical) |
| Concentrate Brix | about 60-70 °Brix (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping tamarind to Qatar
Typical sea transit from India: 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 16-20 MT, 40' HC about 24-26 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Qatar is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Qatar
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Doha | Hamad Port (Mesaieed/Umm Al Houl, ~40 km S of Doha); Doha Port (cruise/old) · Hamad Intern | HORECA & hotel supply (post-2022 WC hotel stock), Indian diaspora grocery (large Indian population), pharma distributors |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Qatar take?
Typically 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate).
Does Qatar have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA; covered by India–GCC FTA negotiations (ToR finalised) [S7] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to tamarind from India?
Usually HS 081340. Qatar applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What tamarind forms do you supply?
Seedless pressed blocks, tamarind with seeds, paste, concentrate and powder.
How should tamarind be stored?
Cool and dry; tamarind pulp darkens and can ferment in heat, so cool storage is recommended.
When is tamarind harvested?
Roughly January to April in south India.
Related guides
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