Bahrain charges the GCC customs duty of 5% of the CIF value on most goods from India, plus 10% VAT. There is no India-Bahrain free trade agreement yet. You need a commercial registration through Sijilat, and goods are declared through OFOQ, the Bahrain customs system.
Who can import into Bahrain
Businesses import with a commercial registration (CR) issued through Sijilat by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and register with Bahrain Customs. Declarations are filed through OFOQ, usually by a clearing agent.
Duty and taxes
Bahrain applies the GCC common customs tariff. India-GCC free trade talks are ongoing, so goods from India pay the standard rate for now.
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | 5% of CIF value for most goods |
| Exempt | Many basic foods are duty free |
| VAT on import | 10%, recoverable for VAT-registered importers |
| Free trade agreement with India | None yet; India-GCC talks ongoing |
Documents to ask the Indian exporter for
- Commercial invoice that matches your purchase order, with HS codes
- Packing list with net and gross weights
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Certificate of Origin
- The exporter's IEC and GST details, so you can check they are an active exporter
- For food: health certificate, and halal certificate for meat and poultry
Food and labelling rules
Food labels need Arabic text, printed or as a sticker, with the product name, ingredients, production and expiry dates and the country of origin, and most food needs a shelf life that suits GCC standards. Ask your Indian supplier to print a bilingual label on the first order; relabelling at the port costs time and money.
What Bahrain buys most from India
Rice, spices, fresh vegetables and fruit, tea, ready-to-eat food, garments and home textiles, jewellery, engineering goods, building materials, ceramics and pharmaceuticals.
Frequently asked questions
Is there import duty from India to Bahrain?
Yes, most goods pay the GCC customs duty of 5% of the CIF value, plus 10% VAT.
What do I need to import into Bahrain?
A commercial registration through Sijilat, registration with Bahrain Customs, and a clearing agent to file the declaration in OFOQ.
How do I find genuine Indian suppliers for Bahrain?
Post your requirement on BuyGenix for free. Our team reviews it and shares it with at most 5 matching Indian exporters, and you can check each supplier's IEC and GST.
How BuyGenix helps buyers in Bahrain
Post what you want to buy, with quantity and target price, for free. Our team reviews every requirement and shares it with at most 5 matching Indian exporters, so you get a few serious quotes instead of a flood of messages. We check that the supplier holds an active IEC and GST registration and help them prepare the Certificate of Origin and the documents your customs needs. See live demand from your market on buyers in Bahrain.
Sourcing from India? Post your requirement, free
BuyGenix Solutions verifies Indian suppliers, prepares compliant export documentation, and helps businesses in Bahrain source from India with confidence. Tell us the product and quantity you need, and our team connects you with suitable Indian suppliers.
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