Bahrain - Country Commercial Guide
Customs Regulations
Last published date:

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 rhinoceros horn
  • Live swine
  • Any other items, whose importation is prohibited under Kingdom of Bahrain customs laws, or any other laws of the country

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, Commerce and Tourism (MoICT) after approval by the Ministry of Health.

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 originating country which authenticates the Islamic standards for slaughtering animals and poultry.