Bahrain Customs Allowances

Custom requirements for visitors

When a visitor enters the Kingdom of Bahrain, after completing the nationality, passport, and residence affairs processes, customs procedures are completed by inspecting the visitor’s luggage, vehicles, ships, and yachts. If there are any commercial items, these are then transferred to the appropriate departments for clearance.

The following major areas are where Bahrain Customs officers are stationed:

• Bahrain International Airport and other airports.
• Khalifa Bin Salman Port and other seaports.
• King Fahd Causeway and other land ports.

For Importers

This covers all items shipped by any means of air, sea, or land freight, as well as by express couriers or official mail, that are brought into the Kingdom of Bahrain from foreign markets for personal use.

Required documents to complete the clearing process:

1. Purchase Invoices.
2. Bill of Lading (Excluding Land Ports).

Clearing Procedure:

• Fill out the import customs declaration form and pay the required customs “duties.”
• If the owner of the imported consignment is present in person, the Air Cargo Department of Customs Affairs offers a free service by drafting the customs declaration for the importers.
• Inspecting and verifying products may be necessary depending on risk management standards.

For exporters

This includes domestic goods shipped to foreign markets. On exports, there are no customs fees.

Exporters must undertake the following steps:

• the necessary export Customs Declaration should be completed.
• Include the exported goods’ invoices.
• Inspecting and verifying products may be necessary depending on risk management standards.

On the currency:

• According to the 2006 revision to Law No. 54 and Article No. 57, there are no limits on the importation of local or foreign currency into the Kingdom of Bahrain (customs officers may ask the visitor to provide evidence of the assets of the money he is carrying).

Import:
– Free import by passengers of 18 years and over:
1. 1-400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 250 grams of tobacco, in opened packets, provided packaging contains a pictorial Health warning.
2. 8oz. of perfume
3. 1-liter bottle of alcoholic liquor and 6 cans of beer
4. Gifts up to a maximum of BHD 250.- (approx. USD 600.-) on items not subject to customs duty.

Arms and Ammunition:
– Import Permit required for arms and ammunition. The transportation of arms, ammunition and all classes of Explosives requires prior permission from the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Aviation Affairs of Bahrain.

Additional Information:
– Luggage and gifts must be for personal use and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
– Frequent travelers and aircrew regularly operating on flights into Bahrain are not permitted to import goods on a regular basis.
– The following items are prohibited in Bahrain and their import is not permitted:
– all types of narcotic drugs (heroin, cocaine, hashish, pills having drug effects, etc.);
– Indian paan and derivatives.
– used and reconditioned tyres.
– cultured pearls.
– Advertisement material for all types of cigarettes.
– Radio/remote-controlled model aircraft.
– Children’s toy guns capable of firing projectiles.
– Goods of Israeli origin or goods with Israeli trademarks or logos.
– printed publications, photographs, pictures, books, magazines sculptures, and mannequins that contradict Islamic Teachings, decency, or which may be considered immoral.
– Seditious or treasonable material.
– Asbestos or items containing asbestos;
– Raw ivory, ivory articles, and rhinoceros horn.
– Live swine.

Detailed information on these and all prohibited items can be found here, where Information can also be found on restricted items that require a permit of No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Crew Members:
– are permitted to import:
1. 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars.
2. 8oz. of perfume;
3. 1-liter bottle of alcoholic liquor and 6 cans of beer;
4. gifts up to a maximum of BHD 250.- (approx. USD 600.-) on items not subject to customs duty.

What are the authorized commodities through a seaport?

• Machinery, heavy equipment to complete a project or to undertake practical and scientific experiments of the same.
• Foreign goods are imported for the purpose of manufacturing completion.
• Temporary imports for sports fields, theaters, exhibitions, and the like.
• tools, equipment, and machinery entering the nation for repair.
• containers and packages used for filling.
• animals kept for the purpose of grazing.
• For display purposes, commercial samples.
• Any other items requiring the same.