Importers have to declare all imported commercial goods. They must have an authorization delivered by the trade register administration. Importers must also be a member of the Chamber of commerce of Bahrain. Commercial import requires the authorization of the producer's representative.
Prohibited Items: all indecent publications that offend public decency, religion or traditions, arms and explosives, food items and beverages containing cyclamate, cigarettes and tobacco goods must also have a warning of health damage on labels.
All importers have to be registered with the Ministry of Commerce and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Imports are governed by the Bahrain Custom law and regulations and are further subject to the special laws enacted by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture and the Ministry of Health.
Documents Required
Documents, which have to be submitted at the Customs clearance of imports: delivery order issued by the shipper or the liner's agent, supplier's invoice (3 copies), packing list (2 copies), certificate of origin, insurance certificate, bill of lading, bank payment voucher (bank receipt), statistical declaration (if the goods reach their final destination in one of GCC states).
Import Tariffs
The Unified Regulation Law of the GCC is the main law, which governs Customs in Bahrain. In December 1993 Bahrain became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Bahrain uses its Customs Tariff according to the H.S. Codes, issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The categories of the customs duty: (1) Duty free: fruits, vegetables, fresh and frozen fish, meat, magazines, books, and catalogues; (2) 5% duty: other imports (clothing, cars, electronics and perfumes); (3) 100% duty: tobacco and products, made of tobacco. (4) 125% duty: alcoholic beverages. These are also evaluation, which is based on the quantity or weight, and the higher value is taken into consideration for duty.
Labeling/Marking
All imported beef and poultry products demand health certificate from the country of origin and a halal slaughter certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in the country of origin. Food labels have to contain product and trade mark names, production dates and keeping time, country of origin, name of producer, net weight in metric units, and a list of components and food additives in degressive order of its importance. All fats and oils used as components must be specifically identified on the label. Labels have to be in Arabic or Arabic/English. Stickers are not accepted. Bahrain strictly compels labeling requirements. Small quantities of products with English-only labels may be approved sometimes as import for test marketing purposes only. | 
