Bahrain customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Personal effects and gifts carried by the traveler, worth up to BHD 300 in total and not of a commercial nature.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 400 cigarettes or heated tobacco sticks, or 250 g of tobacco, or 400 nicotine pouches; plus 50 cigars and 250 g of pipe tobacco.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 10 electronic cigarettes, 1 electronic hookah device with 60 ml of e-hookah liquid, and 1 electronic heating device.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 3 L of alcoholic beverages and 12 cans of beer.
• The allowances do not apply to frequent travelers who bring in goods regularly. Crew members must follow a separate exemption procedure.
• Goods above the allowances are charged customs duty (generally 5%) plus 10% VAT. Personal goods for a temporary stay can be admitted for 6 months (extendable) under temporary import, and a refundable deposit may be required.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of Bahraini dinars or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Customs or security officers may ask you to disclose the value of the cash, gold and other negotiable instruments you carry and to prove where the money came from.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and illegal drugs of all kinds
• Farmed (cultured) pearls
• Live pigs
• Asbestos
• Used tires
• Meat, animal products and animal feed brought in as personal imports
Restricted
• Weapons and ammunition, and daggers, need a permit from the relevant government authority before import.
• Drones need prior approval.
• Medicines need approval. Carry prescription medicines with a doctor's letter, and check with the Bahraini embassy before travel whether your medicine needs prior permission.
• Wireless communication devices (such as signal jammers), medical equipment and dangerous chemicals need approval from the relevant authority.
• Books, audio and video material are subject to content control and may be inspected.
• Pets (dogs, cats and birds) need an import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture. Apply by email to [email protected] with the application form and, for dogs and cats, a copy of the vaccination record. Dogs and cats must be microchipped, at least 3 months old, vaccinated against rabies, have a rabies antibody (RNAT) blood test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and travel with an original government health certificate. Tell the Veterinary Quarantine in advance of your arrival date and time to avoid delays at the port.
• Customs may hold dutiable goods that you do not intend to use in Bahrain for up to 3 months, to be collected when you leave.
• Personal effects and gifts carried by the traveler, worth up to BHD 300 in total and not of a commercial nature.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 400 cigarettes or heated tobacco sticks, or 250 g of tobacco, or 400 nicotine pouches; plus 50 cigars and 250 g of pipe tobacco.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 10 electronic cigarettes, 1 electronic hookah device with 60 ml of e-hookah liquid, and 1 electronic heating device.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 3 L of alcoholic beverages and 12 cans of beer.
• The allowances do not apply to frequent travelers who bring in goods regularly. Crew members must follow a separate exemption procedure.
• Goods above the allowances are charged customs duty (generally 5%) plus 10% VAT. Personal goods for a temporary stay can be admitted for 6 months (extendable) under temporary import, and a refundable deposit may be required.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of Bahraini dinars or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Customs or security officers may ask you to disclose the value of the cash, gold and other negotiable instruments you carry and to prove where the money came from.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and illegal drugs of all kinds
• Farmed (cultured) pearls
• Live pigs
• Asbestos
• Used tires
• Meat, animal products and animal feed brought in as personal imports
Restricted
• Weapons and ammunition, and daggers, need a permit from the relevant government authority before import.
• Drones need prior approval.
• Medicines need approval. Carry prescription medicines with a doctor's letter, and check with the Bahraini embassy before travel whether your medicine needs prior permission.
• Wireless communication devices (such as signal jammers), medical equipment and dangerous chemicals need approval from the relevant authority.
• Books, audio and video material are subject to content control and may be inspected.
• Pets (dogs, cats and birds) need an import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture. Apply by email to [email protected] with the application form and, for dogs and cats, a copy of the vaccination record. Dogs and cats must be microchipped, at least 3 months old, vaccinated against rabies, have a rabies antibody (RNAT) blood test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and travel with an original government health certificate. Tell the Veterinary Quarantine in advance of your arrival date and time to avoid delays at the port.
• Customs may hold dutiable goods that you do not intend to use in Bahrain for up to 3 months, to be collected when you leave.