Bahrain: import and export rules
Bahrain is a small, open market linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway and is often used as a base to serve the wider Gulf. Imports are cleared through Bahrain Customs' OFOQ single window, and regulated products are inspected by the Standards and Metrology Directorate at the port.
Importing into Bahrain
- Importer registration and bill of entry
The importer (a company with a Bahraini commercial registration) or its local agent must file a customs bill of entry before goods are imported. Using a licensed customs clearing agent is strongly recommended.
Source ↗ - Product conformity: Standards and Metrology Directorate
The Bahrain Standards and Metrology Directorate (Ministry of Industry and Commerce) inspects and approves regulated products at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, including tyres, car batteries, cement, toys, electrical appliances, cosmetics and nutritional products. Bahrain mostly applies GCC (GSO) or international standards.
Source ↗ - GCC G-mark for toys and low-voltage goods
Products covered by GCC technical regulations, starting with children's toys and low-voltage electrical equipment, must carry the GCC conformity mark (G-mark) issued under the GSO system.
Source ↗ - OFOQ customs single window
Since 2011 Bahrain Customs has used the OFOQ single window, which links customs, clearing agents, traders, couriers and the approving government bodies for all import and export procedures.
Source ↗ - Arabic labelling
Labels must be in Arabic or Arabic and English; English-only labels are allowed case by case for test marketing. Food labels need name, production and expiry dates, origin, maker, metric net weight and ingredients; all fats and oils must be named and any pork content clearly shown.
Source ↗ - Banned and restricted goods
Banned: narcotics, asbestos products, used or reconditioned tyres, raw ivory and rhino horn, toy guns that fire projectiles, cigarette advertising and live pigs. Meat and poultry need health and halal slaughter certificates; medicines are tightly controlled.
Source ↗ - Parcels of BHD 100 or more (2026)
Since May 2026, personal shipments and postal parcels worth BHD 100 or more pay customs duty (by tariff code) and 10% VAT. This matters for samples and small e-commerce orders sent to Bahrain.
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