Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for delivery services and digital platforms to formalize Qatar's digital economy and enhance consumer protection. Central to this initiative is a mandatory e-commerce licensing regime under Ministerial Decision No. 25 of 2026, which requires any business operating via websites, mobile apps, or social media to obtain a formal license. To ensure precision in oversight, the ministry now requires a separate license for every individual digital channel a business uses to facilitate its transactions.

To increase transparency, the new guidelines mandate that all licensed platforms clearly display their commercial registration, license numbers, and accessible customer support details. Businesses must also provide detailed product descriptions alongside clear policies for exchanges, returns, and refunds. Furthermore, the regulations require the integration of secure electronic payment services for all transactions conducted through these platforms, ensuring a standardized and safe financial environment for online shoppers.

By removing the requirement for a physical office for certain digital-first activities, the MoCI aims to lower entry barriers for startups and SMEs while maintaining strict accountability to consumer protection laws. These regulations, which came into effect on March 16, 2026, apply to all commercial-scale online operations but exclude occasional personal-use transactions. The framework represents a strategic move to balance entrepreneurial growth with a high standard of market integrity in the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector.

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