Exporting from Syria to Bahrain
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Syria selling to buyers in Bahrain.
Send a certificate of origin with the shipment to claim the preference.
VAT — Bahrain: 10% VAT
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / PAFTA)
- 0% customs duty
Arab-origin goods traded between members are fully exempt from customs duties and charges with equivalent effect, for both industrial and agricultural products.
Source ↗ - No non-tariff barriers, with set exceptions
Members may not apply non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, except for religious, health, security and environmental reasons. A few farm products can also be excluded temporarily during local harvest seasons (the agricultural calendar).
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Exceptions
- Syria: suspended 2011–2023
Syria's Arab League membership was suspended in 2011 and restored in May 2023, and trade with Syria was badly disrupted in between. Check Syria's current tariffs, payment channels and any sanctions before relying on GAFTA treatment.
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⚠ Before you trade
- Sanctions mostly lifted – some limits remain
The UK (April 2025) and EU (May 2025) lifted most economic sanctions; the US ended its Syria sanctions programme from 1 July 2025, repealed the Caesar Act in December 2025 and removed the terrorism-sponsor listing on 24 August 2026. Sanctions on listed persons remain, and some US-origin items still need export licences.
Source ↗ - Banking and payments are still difficult
Syrian banks are cautious: expect delays, extra due-diligence questions and transfer limits, and correspondent banking is limited. Screen your buyer against sanctions lists, use secure payment terms, and consider euro or regional-currency channels.
Source ↗ - Rules change often
Customs law, tariff, import lists and the authorities themselves changed in 2025–2026 and are still being updated. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed Syrian clearing agent before shipping.
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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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