Bahrain

Prohibited and Restricted Imports

Customs regulations prohibit the following items from being imported into Bahrain:

• All types of narcotic drugs (marijuana and CBD oil, heroin, cocaine, hashish, pills having drug effects, etc.)
• Used and reconditioned tires
• Cultured pearls
• Advertisement material for all types of cigarettes
• Radio/ remote controlled model aircraft
• Children’s toy guns capable of firing projectiles
• Printed publications, photographs, pictures, books, magazines sculptures and mannequins which contradict Islamic teachings, decency, or immorality
• Seditious or treasonable material
• Asbestos or items containing asbestos
• Raw ivory, ivory articles and rhinoceroses’ horns
• Live swine
• Any other items, whose importation is prohibited under Kingdom of Bahrain customs laws, or any other laws of the country

The following items are restricted and their import into Bahrain is allowed only with a No Objection Certificate (NOC), valid permit, or approval document issued by the relevant regulatory authority:

• Live wild animals, including horses (excluding circus or performance animals)
• Animals, birds and their by-products
• Animal or vegetable fertilizers
• Insecticides and fungicides
• Meat and meat products
• Fish and seafood products
• Fruit and vegetables
• Plants
• Radioactive chemicals and active isotopes
• Food products (processed and unprocessed)
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medicines
• Unadulterated ethyl alcohol, iso-propanol
• Pedestrian-controlled four-wheel mini cars
• Handcuffs made from iron/steel
• Arms, ammunition, explosives and military weapons
• Magazines and publications
• Films and video
• Optical and magnetic audio-visual media
• Items infringing on intellectual property rights
• Telecommunications, radio and television receiving and broadcasting equipment

Specific Requirements related to imports of

• Pharma Products:
  • The Bahraini government requires that pharmaceutical products be imported directly from a manufacturer with a research department and that the products be licensed in at least two other GCC countries, one of which must be Saudi Arabia.
  • Drugs and medicines may be imported only by a drug store or pharmacy licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) after approval by the Ministry of Health.

• Beef and Poultry products:
  • All imported beef and poultry products require a health certificate issued by the country of origin, as well as a HALAL slaughter certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in the origin country which authenticates the Islamic standards for slaughtering animals and poultry.

• DG Cargo
  • For all IMCO Class 1 cargo, the consignee must secure landing permissions from the Port Authorities, Public Security, and the Ministry of Interior prior to loading the shipment for Bahrain discharge.

• IMCO Class 7 Cargo (Radioactive Substances) landing permission for IMCO Class 7 cargo must be secured by the consignee from the Port Authorities and other relevant government authorities prior to loading the shipment for Bahrain discharge.

• For shipments with In Transit DG Cargo (IMCO Class 1 & 7), prior approval from the Port Authorities is mandatory. Each case will be assessed individually based on its specific circumstances.

Restricted Exports

For all scrap, exports related, approval must be obtained from the Supreme Council for Environment.

Weight Regulations

• The weight of each container must comply with the specifications indicated on its CSC plate.
• Direct delivery is mandatory for class 1 & 7 cargoes. All other IMCO class cargo is acceptable provided it complies fully with the IMDG Transportation Regulations.
• The terminal accepts break-bulk and heavy lift cargo subject to prior confirmation, which must be secured based on the provided cargo description, weight, lifting points, sketches, diagrams, and photographs. These details are required at least 48 hours before the vessel’s arrival.
• Max weight of OOG cargo SWL 65 tons / 100 tons with cargo beam.

Apart from the standard shipping practices applicable to any export or import Bill of Lading (BL), no specific requirements have been mandated by the local authorities for the BL.

However, cargo manifest should reflect cargo gross weight, HS code, CBM & package details per container wise which is required by the line agent to update the customs / port portal prior to shipments arrival at Bahrain.

Documentary requirements for customs clearance:

• Bill of Lading.
• Original Commercial Invoice.
• Text must be in English.
• Item Description.
• Number of Items & quantity.
• Value per Item.
• Total value.
• HS Code for each item.
• Country of Origin (must match markings on the cargo).
• Terms of the shipment.
• Signature & Stamp by the Shipper is mandatory.

• Original Packing List.
• Text must be in English.
• Item Description.
• Number of Items & quantity.
• Weight per Item.
• Total Weight.

• Copy of the Insurance Certificate if available.

Customs regulations:

• Consignee must have the valid Company Registration with Import license from the concern authority/ ministry,
  Consignee needs to obtain the approval for products under each specific ministry as required.
• Customs Duty is generally 5% of CIF Value & VAT Charges would be 10% of CIF value + 10% of Duty value.
• Shipper and consignee should match in all related documents.

• Customs & Port authorities require measurement of cargo to be shown on the manifest along with number of package & weight for all FCL / LCL cargoes to be discharged. If more than one container is manifested under one BL, the number of packages, weight and measurement of cargo in each container must be shown separately on the manifest. This information is required by the port authority in view of the fact that most of the FCL containers are de-stuffed in the port and consignee has to pay stripping charges to the port authority on the weight or measurement of cargo, whichever is greater.

• The Freight Forwarder can be Consignee in manifest, but in such cases freight forwarder has to submit the manifest into customs with actual cargo receiver details. Only Bahrain consignees with valid registration will be able to clear the cargo from the customs. Manifest must show the actual receiver of the cargo either as a consignee or notify party.
• For amending manifest details, after submission to customs and terminal, amendment charges applicable.  And the charges would be basis customs discretion & port tariff. Lifting charges for survey, repair etc are charged as per container stow position and number of shifting involved at the time of placing the request.

Penalty for mis-declaration of Tonnage, measurement, piece count or commodity as per Port Tariff are:

• BHD 300.000 per occurrence / per container.
• BHD 600.000 subsequent offences per container.

Penalty for undeclared, mis-declared, poorly stowed or incorrectly packaged Hazardous Cargo as per Port Tariff are:

• BHD 150.000 Per occurrence / per container.
• BHD 300.000 Subsequent offences per container.

No Objection Letter is required from the actual consignee for re-export or changes in the consignee’s details for inbound cargo.

Equipment Inspection Report

There is no EIR carried out by terminal at Bahrain Port, hence no reports are provided by the Port.

Important Links

• Customs :   https://www.customs.gov.bh/en
• Port / Terminal : https://www.apmterminals.com/en/bahrain

For re-export of any inbound cargo, no objection letter from the actual consignee required for customs re-export documentation.

No objection from actual consignee is required for change of consignee after submission of manifest to customs.

No E.I.R. in force at Bahrain port.