What is the customs duty on Indian goods in Bahrain?

Bahrain, like all GCC member states, applies the GCC Common External Tariff for customs purposes. The standard customs duty rate for import from India to Bahrain (Manama) is 5% of the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of the goods. This applies to the majority of industrial, commercial, and consumer products.

However, several important exemptions and reductions apply. Essential food products — including rice, flour, sugar, and certain vegetables — are exempt from customs duty in Bahrain. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices are also generally duty-free. These exemptions make India an even more competitive supplier for Bahrain’s food and healthcare sectors.

For regulated products, Bahrain’s National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) and the General Directorate of Customs collect duties at Khalifa Bin Salman Port — Bahrain’s main seaport and the entry point for most Indian cargo. All shipments must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin issued by the Indian Chamber of Commerce to verify Indian origin and apply the correct duty classification.

Unlike the UAE, Bahrain does not currently have a bilateral FTA with India that offers preferential duty rates beyond the standard GCC framework. However, Bahrain’s free zones — particularly the Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) and Hidd Industrial Area — offer duty suspension for goods in transit or for industrial inputs, making them attractive for Indian exporters supplying regional buyers.

At 3Hatz India Pvt. Ltd., we prepare all Certificate of Origin documentation, handle HS code classification, and manage customs clearance coordination at Khalifa Bin Salman Port for smooth, duty-optimized clearance of Indian goods into Bahrain.