Country Guide: Bahrain

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport copy
• Original or express release Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB) copy
• Packing list
• Authorization Letter from shipper to port authorities
• Declaration
• Residence Permit (non-Citizen)
• Duty Exemption Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomat)
• Copy of diplomatic passport or ID (Diplomat)

 

Specific Information

• All used Household Goods (HHGs) may be imported duty free but are subject to the owner of the goods having a residence permit. In the absence of a two year residence permit, the shipment may be cleared with a guarantee letter from a company sponsor stating that the residence permit if being processed.
• Items contained in the shipment must be for personal use and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
• All shipments are subject to inspection.
• New items have a 5% duty.
• Consignee’s presence is required on all sea and overland shipments.
• Diplomatic shipments may be imported duty free and are not subject to physical examination. They may, however, be scanned by Bahraini Customs Authorities.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original or express release Bill of Lading (OBL)
• Commercial Invoice for new vehicle
• Proof of insurance
• Certificate of Ownership or Export Certificate from country of origin
• Car Condition Report
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomat)
• Residence Permit for at least 18 months (Non-citizens)

 

Specific Information

• Valid insurance is required.
• The shipper must arrange to obtain the Central Population Registration (CPR) card through the employer’s Human Resources department; once the CPR is obtained, the shipper may obtain a temporary license plate.
• Customs duties are approximately 5%.
• Vehicles should not be shipped with a full gasoline tank.
• The shipper should obtain vehicle insurance directly from an insurance company.
• An ocean freight shipment can be cleared without a Residence Permit with a deposit payable at clearance; the deposit amount will be refunded upon the Residence Permit is stamped, which takes approximately 2 weeks (non-citizens).
• Left hand drive vehicles only
• Consignee must be present for customs inspection.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination Record
• Veterinary Health Certificate
• Import Permit
• Copy of Airway Bill

 

Specific Information

• Pets may only be transported as cargo; however, assistive animals may be able to travel in the aircraft cabin.
• The Import Permit must be obtained prior to travel from the Veterinary Quarantine Department in Bahrain.
• The Veterinary Health Certificate must state that the animal is free from disease and is fully vaccinated.
• Import license to be obtained prior to booking pets.
• After the pet has been cleared through customs, all pets are quantined for one month (consignee must provide feeding arrangements).

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Firearms o An Import Permit and permission from the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Aviation Affairs of Bahrain is required
• Videotapes are subject to inspection by Ministry officials. They will be released approximately 2-3 weeks after inspection. (non-citizens)
• CDs, DVDs, VCDs, books (only large quantities)
• Pianos / musical instruments / personal computers are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications prior to shipment arrival. Regardless if they are new or old, duty of 5% applies. (non-citizens)
• Foodstuffs
• Wines, Spirits and alcohol are subject to duty at customs discretion (diplomats)
• Medicines are subject to prescription by a doctor (in English or Arabic) (Diplomats)
• Alcoholic Beverages

Prohibited Items

• Narcotics and Drugs
• Flammable Items
• Ivory
• Pornographic materials (DVDs and magazines are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Interior)
• Swords
• Knives, daggers (ornamental, etc.)
• Wireless equipment
• Satellite, receivers, cordless telephones, walkie talkies
• Guns, arrows, darts
• Military Clothes
• Gambling Games

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.mofa.gov.bh/washington/Home.aspx

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1001.html

http://www.customs.gov.bh