Sea Freight — Licensing Requirements for Sea Freight Forwarding Intermediary Offices:

An application for a license to provide sea freight forwarding intermediary services shall be submitted to the competent department using the prescribed form. The competent department shall decide on the application within thirty (30) days from the date of submission, provided that the application is accompanied by the supporting documents (hard copy and CD).

A license to practice sea freight forwarding intermediary services shall be issued for a term of one (1) year. The license shall be renewable for one or more successive terms of equal duration upon a renewal application submitted not later than forty-five (45) days prior to the expiry date by the license holder or the holder’s duly authorized legal representative, using the prescribed form.

The following conditions shall be satisfied by any applicant seeking a license:

1. The applicant shall be a company duly incorporated in accordance with Companies Law No. (11) of 2015, as amended, and shall maintain a registered paid-up capital of not less than QAR 1,000,000 (one million Qatari Riyals).
2. The applicant shall have adequate and qualified technical personnel and staff to perform the responsibilities and services of a sea freight forwarding intermediary.
3. The applicant shall furnish a fixed-term bank guarantee in the amount of QAR 100,000 (one hundred thousand Qatari Riyals).

owing minimum requirements shall apply to personnel employed by a sea freight forwarding intermediary:

1. Sea Freight Forwarding Office Manager:
   1. Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   2. Must hold an appropriate qualification.
   3. Must be of good conduct and reputation.
   4. Must have not less than five (5) years’ demonstrable experience in cargo loading and unloading operations.
2. Accountant:
   1. Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   2. Must hold a university degree, or its equivalent, in accounting from a recognized university.
   3. Must be of good conduct and reputation.
   4. Must possess appropriate practical experience.
3. Customs Clearance and Cargo Shipping Officer:
   1. Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   2. Must hold, as a minimum, a General Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent.
   3. Must be of good conduct and reputation.
4. Public Reception Officer:
   1. Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   2. Must hold, as a minimum, a General Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent.
   3. Must be of good conduct and reputation.
5. Representative (Messenger/Runner):
   1. Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   2. Must be literate and able to read and write.
   3. Must be of good conduct and reputation.

    4. The applicant shall pay the prescribed licensing fees as follows:

• Issuance of a new license: QAR 10,000 (ten thousand Qatari Riyals).
• Renewal of a license: QAR 5,000 (five thousand Qatari Riyals).

Note: An inspection shall be conducted to verify compliance with the above requirements.

(Law No. (12) of 2012 Regulating the Practice of Sea Freight Forwarding Intermediary Services, and Minister of Transport Decision No. (57) of 2014 Prescribing the Conditions and Qualifications Required for Employees of a Sea Freight Forwarding Intermediary)