Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
Passport
Original bill of lading (OBL) / express release / air waybill (AWB) / surrender message
Packing list properly marked and corresponding to the OBL
Authorization letter from owner of the goods to port authorities
Duty exemption certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomats)
Commercial invoice indicating currency (commodity shipment)
Amount of packages (commodity shipment)
Insurance certificate (if applicable) (commodity shipment)
Legalized certificate of origin (commodity shipment)
Specific Information
Do not include flammable items inside the moving boxes.
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
Owner of the goods’ presence / authorization letter from owner of the goods is required
Diplomats are free from duties and physical inspection, but not scanning
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
Proof of insurance
OBL
Commercial invoice on new vehicles
Certificate of ownership
Export certificate from country of origin
Car condition report
No objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomats)
Residence permit
Owner of the goods’ contact details (telephone number, fax number, address and email) (non-citizens)
Specific Information
Only vehicles less than 5 years are allowed to be imported, unless a classic / vintage, which requires prior permission before the shipment arrives in Bahrain.
Valid insurance is required for the registration of the car.
The owner of the goods must arrange to obtain the Central Population Registration (CPR) card through the employer’s Human Resources department; once the CPR is obtained, the owner of the goods may obtain a temporary license plate.
Customs duties are approximately 5%.
Vehicles should not be shipped with a full gasoline tank.
The owner of the goods should obtain vehicle insurance directly from an insurance company.
Left hand drive vehicles only & GCC specification.
Pets
Documents Required
Vaccination record
Veterinary health certificate
Import permit
Copy of air waybill (AWB)
Specific Information
Pets may only be transported as cargo; however, assistive animals may be able to travel in the aircraft cabin:
Contact agent for specific information.
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.
Quarantine for a month (owner of the goods must provide feeding arrangements).
Restricted/Dutiable Items
Firearms (an import permit and permission from the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Aviation Affairs of Bahrain is required).
Videotapes (subject to inspection and hold by Ministry officials and released approximately 2-3 weeks after inspection) (non-citizens)
CDs, VCDs, books (only large quantities)
Personal computers (subject to inspection and hold by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications prior to shipment arrival) (non-citizens)
Pianos / musical instruments
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)
Commodity shipments are subject to 5% Customs duty
Alcoholic beverages
Prohibited Items
Narcotics and drugs
Ivory
Pornographic materials
Swords
Knives, daggers (ornamental, etc.)
Wireless equipment
Satellite, receivers, cordless telephones, walkie-talkies
Guns, arrows, darts
Military clothes
Gambling games