Shipping From Canada
to Bahrain.

Documents Only

When the following are shipped to Bahrain, they will be allowed entry as a document shipment:

• Airline tickets
• Annual reports
• Brochures, catalogues, and price lists
• Business cards
• Cash letters
• Charts and maps
• Cheques
• Computer print-outs
• Credit cards
• Diplomas
• Drawings and graphs
• Driver's licence
• Gift cards
• Invitations and greeting cards
• Labels
• Magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
• Manuscripts
• Negotiable bonds and drafts
• Pamphlets and publications
• Passports
• Photographs
• Proposals and bids
• Seismic data
• Specifications sheets
• Traveller's cheques
• Visa applications

The following items can only enter Bahrain if they follow the restriction listed:

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

Shipping Gifts

A gift shipment to Bahrain from Canada will be exempt from duty and VAT if:

• Its value is 50 BHD or less (about $160 CAD)
• It has been sent freely without any exchange of money; AND
• In a calendar year, the recipient has received a total market value of gifts of BHD 1,000 or less (about $3250 CAD)

Shipments from Individual-to-Individual

The shipment of a gift to an individual in Bahrain from an individual in Canada will not incur duty and VAT. The conditions of this shipment include:

• The gift is free, i.e. supplied without payment or request
• Has a value of 50 BHD or less (about $160 CAD)

NOTE:
The exemption only applies if in a calendar year, the recipient has received less than a total of BHD 1,000 (about $3250 CAD) in gifts.

Shipments from Business-to-Business

A gift shipped from a business in Canada to a business in Bahrain is ineligible for a duty and tax exemptions. All shipments of this type, therefore, will be charged VAT and duty no matter of their value.

Shipments from Business-to-Individual

The shipment of a gift from a business in Canada to an individual in Bahrain will incur duty and VAT charges regardless of its value.

Gift Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
• List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
• Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.

Multiple Gifts in One Shipment

If there are multiple gifts in one shipment, it may incur duty and taxes. Therefore, be sure to wrap and tag each gift separately to avoid charges.

Sources:
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nbrproduserdata/media/qyWGr0DdJunvVN3ExMmlsnaFyU2WOtOlCMcCHd6U.pdf

Shipping Personal Effects

Personal effects may enter Bahrain from Canada exempt from customs duties providing:

• The shipper is the owner of the goods
• All the goods are used, and in an amount suitable for the household
• The owner is moving to Bahrain for a period of at least 1 year
• The shipment arrives within 6 months of the owner of the goods

NOTE: The duty exemption does not apply to tobacco products.

Moving Temporarily

Students

There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily to Bahrain for the purposes of them studying there.

Non-Students

There is no information at this time regarding non-students moving temporarily to Bahrain, and shipping their personal effects.

Moving Permanently

For returning Bahraini citizens and foreign nationals coming to live permanently in Bahrain, personal effects may enter the country exempt from duties as long as they do not include tobacco products.

The following conditions are also required for a duty-free exemption:

• The goods are personal and for the use of the household
• The amount of goods are in line with the size of the family, i.e. they are in a non-commercial quantity
• The term of residence in Bahrain is for a minimum of 1 year
• The goods arrive in Bahrain within 6 months of its owner(s)

Personal Effects Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided
• For those moving to Bahrain to work, evidence of a work or residence permit

Sources:
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf
https://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/ar/special-instructions-relocating-bahrain

Food, Chocolate, Candies

Food may be shipped to Bahrain from Canada as long as they have been commercially prepared and are in unopened packages.

You May Ship

• Candy
• Chocolate
• Foodstuffs in unopened, commercially prepared packages

Do Not Ship

• Perishable goods

Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist

• Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
• Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
• You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
• Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments

Sources:
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2016/SPS/SAU/16_5161_00_e.pdf

Samples

Commercial samples are shipped to solicit sales and promote products.

Samples may be shipped to a recipient in Bahrain from Canada exempt from duty and VAT providing:

• The shipment has a value of 50 BHD or less (about $160 CAD)
• The total value of all samples shipped in a calendar year is no more than 1,000 BHD (about $3250 CAD)

Samples of foods and beverages given away at exhibitions and displays may enter Bahrain exempt from duty and taxes if:

• They are supplied at no charge to the recipient
• They are clearly advertising samples and are of no commercial value
• They are consumed at the event
• The amount shipped is suitable for the size of the event

Commercial Sample Checklist

• A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
• Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
• The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample

Sources:
https://icdt-oic.org/RS_67/Doc/Biz_Guide_BH.pdf
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nbrproduserdata/media/qyWGr0DdJunvVN3ExMmlsnaFyU2WOtOlCMcCHd6U.pdf
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/~/media/2D53E23AA1A64EF68B9AC708C6281DC8.ashx

Advertising Material

Advertising material may be shipped to Bahrain exempt from duty and taxes as a temporary import if it is to be displayed at events like:

• Trade shows
• Fairs
• Exhibitions
• Meetings
• Symposia

Printed advertising materials may also enter Bahrain duty and tax free if they are distributed at no charge, they are of low value, and imported in suitable quantities.

Acceptable examples of print advertising include:

• Catalogues and price lists
• Calendars
• Unframed photographs
• Posters
• Notices for a trade

Advertising Material Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided
• An ATA Carnet if applicable

Sources:
https://bahrainchamber.bh/en/content/ata-carnet-home
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/~/media/2D53E23AA1A64EF68B9AC708C6281DC8.ashx
https://iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/bahrain-prepares-to-implement-ata-carnet-system/

Repairs

Equipment for repair may be shipped to Bahrain exempt from duty and taxes providing it has entered as a temporary admission.

The period of temporary admission is 180 days though it may be extended to a maximum of 365 days.

Items Under Warranty

Equipment shipped from Bahrain and repaired in Canada under warranty will be exempt from GST.

Items No Longer Under Warranty

Equipment from Bahrain that is no longer under warranty and repaired in Canada will incur GST on the value of the repair as well as on any parts required for the repair.

Sending Product for Repair to Bahrain

Equipment sent to Bahrain from Canada for service and repair may enter the country as a temporary admission. This will exempt duty and tax fees from being charged for the repair work.

Temporary admission is allowed for 180 days; however, it may be extended up to 365 days.

Returning Repaired Product to Bahrain

Equipment sent to Canada for repair will be exempt from GST if the repairs were done under warranty; however, if there was no warranty, then GST will be charged.

Repair Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
• Include repair contract with shipment
• Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
• Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Bahrain or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment

Sources:
https://www.customs.gov.bh/index.php/en/temporary-import
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nbrproduserdata/media/qyWGr0DdJunvVN3ExMmlsnaFyU2WOtOlCMcCHd6U.pdf

Temporary Imports

Goods shipped to Bahrain from Canada as temporary imports may enter exempt from duty and taxes for a period of up to 180 days. For certain circumstances, this time may be extended up to 365 days.

Typical goods shipped as temporary imports include:

• Equipment for scientific tests or experiments
• Equipment required for theatrical productions or concerts
• Commercial samples destined for display at an exhibition

Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import

In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Bahrain, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.

Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice. More details are shown in the table.

In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:

• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e., they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than 1 year in Bahrain

NOTE:

• If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently
• Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically cannot clear goods of a temporary nature)

Temporary Imports Checklist

• Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than the period listed above
• Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
• Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
• Any above listed items not listed in this checklist

Sources:
https://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/en/temporary-import
https://iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/bahrain-prepares-to-implement-ata-carnet-system/
https://bahrainchamber.bh/en/content/ata-carnet-home

Permanent/Sold Goods

Goods sold and shipped to Bahrain will incur duties and taxes. However, occasional shipments to an individual Bahraini will be exempt from duty and tax if its value is less than BHD 100 (about $320 CAD).

Occasional Shipper

Goods sold on an occasional basis to Bahraini citizens will only incur duties and taxes if the shipment's value is above 100 BHD (about $320 CAD).

Regular Shipper

Goods sold and shipped to Bahrain on a regular basis require the recipient to be registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Bahrain. Therefore, we recommend that you consult a licenced customs broker before shipping sold goods to Bahrain.

Sources:
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf
https://icdt-oic.org/RS_67/Doc/Biz_Guide_BH.pdf
https://www.customs.gov.bh/index.php/en/faq