Despite the absence of formal regulations, the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the Ministry of Public Health (the ‘Drug Control Department') has in place an approval process for the importation and sale of certain cosmetic products. Since there are no clear guidelines for the classification and registration of these products, the Drug Control Department makes its decision on a case-by-case basis, based on the category of the product, its function, and composition. Whilst there is no regulation to support such classification procedures, the Qatar Customs Authority will usually not permit the importation of cosmetic products without the Drug Control Department's approval.

Products are considered to be ‘cosmetics'