Saudi Arabia Explore our help center for different support options.
Country Customs Information
- Imports
- Exports
- Transiting Goods
- Prohibited / Restricted Goods
- Aramex Clearance Service
- References
View Bahrain Customs HS Codes
Imports
General Import Guidelines
- The importer must have a valid importer code from Customs Authorities
- Imported goods must conform to licensed activities of the importer
- Imported goods must be accompanied with an International Waybill, an Original Commercial Invoice, and a Packing List. For personal goods valued at or above BHD 2,000 or commercial goods valued at or above BHD 500 a Certificate of Origin is required. Failure to submit required documents might lead to penalties to be applied by Customs Authorities
- All imported goods into
Bahrain must have the country of origin printed or embossed physically each item; for example "made in China", "made in Japan", etc. The country of origin must also be stated in the Commercial Invoice, failure to comply with this regulation
may prohibit entry of the goods
- HS Codes must be stated clearly on Commercial Invoice. Where HS Codes are not stated on Commercial Invoice, Customs Authorities may apply penalties
Top
Import Duties and Fees
- The customs valuation is based on CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) which means that the amount used to assess customs duty is the sum of cost of goods, insurance and shipping cost to Bahrain
- Customs duties at 5% is levied on CIF value
- International express or courier imports with declared value below USD 100 are duty free
- Goods with declared value of more than a USD 100 will be treated as normal cargo goods, and will require a formal customs clearance
The following are trade agreements with Bahrain that can benefit from customs reduction rate. To benefit from customs reduction, Certificate of Origin accompanied with Commercial Invoice are required
- Arab League
- Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Top
Duties Exemption
A number of goods are exempted from customs duties. Below are some of the applied exemptions:
- Raw materials for manufacturing in Bahrain destined for companies holding industrial license
- Imports for non-dutiable authorities and organizations
- Diplomatic goods
- Computer, computer accessories, digital cameras
If goods, prior to its entry into Bahrain, has passed through any GCC country where custom duties have been paid, the Original Customs Declaration stamped from GCC customs must accompany the goods to avoid paying custom duties in Bahrain. Please refer to Reference (3) GCC Customs Laws
Top
Imports Required Documents
General Imports
Import Declaration is processed in the event of goods being imported into Bahrain from other countries. The below documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- One original and two copies of Commercial Invoice approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Original of the Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Packing List (detailed)
Re-Export
Import Declaration is processed in the event of importing goods into Bahrain for purpose of re-exporting. The below documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- One original and two copies of Commercial Invoice approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Original of the Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Packing List (detailed)
Temporary Import - Exhibition / Repair and Return
Upon entry of goods into Bahrain on temporary basis for the purpose of taking part in an exhibition or repairs / maintenance, a deposit amount equivalent to customs duties has to be made for the benefit of Customs Authorities. The deposit is refunded upon exporting the goods. If the goods are not being exported the deposit is forfeited. The below documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- One original and two copies of Commercial Invoice approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Original of the Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Packing List (detailed)
When completing your Commercial Invoice, we recommend that you abide by Aramex guidelines to ensure timely and efficient clearance Read More
Top
Exports
When exporting goods from Bahrain some documents and regulations will be applied before the exit of goods to the destination. Failure to submit required documents may delay goods when exporting
Exporters need to include the
following documents with their goods:
- Original Commercial Invoice
- For certain goods, a strategic export license is required. Example where these licenses are needed include: military, and dual-use. For more information click here to check if your goods require an export license
Important Notes
- All exported goods might be inspected by Customs Authorities
- Aramex will not transport goods that are prohibited by the laws or regulations of Bahrain. For more information click here
- For more information on exporting from the Bahrain click here
Top
Transiting Goods
Transiting Goods through Bahrain can only remain for 30 days from the date of arrival into the country
To process Transiting Goods, the following documents are needed:
- Original Waybill
- One original and two copies of Commercial Invoice approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Original of the Certificate of Origin approved by Chamber of Commerce at country of origin
- Packing List (detailed)
Top
Prohibited / Restricted Goods
Aramex will not transport goods that are prohibited by the laws or regulations of Bahrain
In accordance to Aramex Shipping Policy, the following items are not acceptable for transport by Aramex:
- Monetary Items including currency, fake money, and coins
- Publications that are offensive to religions, morals, human rights or aims to cause corruption and disorder
- Narcotics and drugs including heroin, opium, drugs raw material (powder, liquid), cannabis leaves, etc.
- Gambling related games or items
- Counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
- Fireworks*
- Ivory and ivory products*
- Furs*
- Jewelry, precious metals , stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value*
- Bullion*
- Chemical waste and nuclear waste
- Hazardous as defined in IATA Regulations*
- Ammunitions*
- Human remains, including ashes*
- Animals, plants, food items and perishable*
- Pornographic related material
- Products labeled made in Israel
- Military devices
*
Certain goods which are
listed above as prohibited may be accepted by Aramex on a contractual basis, if
exporters / importers are able to comply with all applicable regulations
Aramex Clearance
Service
Aramex offers clearance service covering
the following Customs Ports:
Aramex offers a wide range of customs
clearance services (starting with Delivery Order collection up to delivery of
goods). In addition, Aramex offers storage in Aramex warehouses when needed
In key locations, Aramex
employees are certified and supported by a customer service team to keep
customers updated, and address all inquiries. Please contact our Aramex Customer Service
team
for an offer
Some goods require approval from the designated authority prior to importing
into Bahrain. Some examples are shown below:
Top
Top
References