Shipping To Bahrain: What Items Are Allowed?

Shipping packages internationally can be a daunting task, but many companies can help you send items to Bahrain. The cost of shipping to Bahrain varies depending on the weight and size of the package, the speed of delivery, and the company used. Some companies offer discounted rates and package consolidation services to reduce costs. However, certain items are prohibited from being shipped to Bahrain, including weapons, precious stones, and perishable items. It is important to research the prohibited items list and fill out the necessary customs forms accurately to avoid any issues.

Shipping costs from the US to Bahrain

Parcel Monkey offers a Light Packet service starting from $30 for 10-16 business days of delivery time, and a Global Express Drop Off service starting from $55 for 6-7 business days.

MyUS offers a range of shipping options with different delivery times, such as Budget Economy (8-14 days), Inflation Breaker (7-11 days), and DHL Express Smallbox (2-5 days). The cost of shipping is calculated based on package weight, with rates starting as low as $12.35.

USGoBuy, in partnership with USPS, provides a shipping calculator to estimate international shipping charges from the US to Bahrain.

ShipW offers express shipping services to Bahrain at low prices, with delivery times ranging from 1 to 3 business days, depending on the chosen carrier.

Easyship provides discounted shipping rates and a wide range of courier services, including Aramex, USPS First Class International, and Hong Kong Post.

It is worth noting that shipping costs from the US to Bahrain can be influenced by various factors, including the chosen courier, delivery time, weight, and size of the package. Consolidating multiple packages into one shipment can also help reduce international shipping rates.

Prohibited items

When shipping to Bahrain, it is important to be aware of the prohibited items list. This list is extensive and includes items that may seem innocuous, so it is always worth checking the most up-to-date information.

Items that are prohibited from being shipped to Bahrain include:

• Weapons, except under a special license
• Pornography and other salacious materials
• Bugging devices and audio jammers
• Radio-controlled model aeroplanes
• Children's toys containing methyl chloride and other articles declared injurious to health by the Ministry of Health
• Foodstuffs and sweets containing cyclamates
• Tear gas, nerve gas, and weapons for their use
• Precious stones in any form and condition, except for jewellery
• Arms, ammunition, daggers, sword-canes, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and other secret weapons
• Fresh meat, preserved meat, rawhides, wool, and other animal products must be accompanied by a certificate showing the place of origin and stating that it is disease-free
• Traveller's cheques
• Perishable non-infectious biological substances, except as noted under restrictions
• Securities of any kind payable to the bearer
• Leaf or manufactured tobacco and cigarette paper, except with government authorisation
• Saccharine in tablets or packets

In addition, certain items are prohibited from being shipped from the US to Bahrain due to customs laws and delivery company or airline restrictions. These include:

• Prescription medications, including dental and veterinary
• Prescription medical devices
• Medical devices not FDA-approved
• Prohormones, Human Growth Hormones, stem cell treatments, steroids or synthetic versions
• Non-prescription medications, food, supplements, drugs or cosmetics that have been issued a Consumer Safety Advisory Warning and are not labelled in English, or without FDA-approved labelling requirements
• Perishable products of any kind
• Lab reagents, biologics, cultures, medical specimens
• Poisonous substances
• Toxic substances, including inhalation hazards
• Infectious substances
• Explosives, fireworks, gunpowder, flares or matches
• Gasoline, diesel or other fuels
• Lighters containing fuel
• Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)
• Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
• Radioactive elements or products
• Self-balancing boards (hoverboards)
• Firearms, guns and accessories, including replicas
• BB/pellet/airsoft/paintball guns, parts and projectiles
• Ammunition, magazines and bayonets
• Tear gas, mace and pepper spray
• Gas masks and gas mask filters
• Law enforcement striking weapons, including saps, batons and billy clubs
• Handcuffs of any material, including plastic zip tie restraints and straitjackets
• Body armour, helmets or personal protection articles with kevlar or ballistic ratings
• Military/tactical/police shields
• Government, police or military uniforms, IDs and badges (real or replica)
• Military training equipment
• Military and/or dual-use flight helmets and flight jumpsuits
• Military and law enforcement equipment
• Thermal imaging, InfraRed or other night vision devices
• Rifle scopes, laser pointing and aiming devices for firearms
• Defence articles controlled under the US Munitions List as defined under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
• Self-propelled vehicles
• Any dual-use or commercial article controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) as defined under the Export Administration Regulations, where the control status requires a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) approved export license
• Counterfeit products
• Contraband or illegal substances
• Gambling devices and accessories
• Lock-picking devices
• Live or dead animals or insects
• Skin or leather of snakes, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, and other reptiles or amphibians
• Skin, fur or leather of certain animals, including wolves, bears, elephants, rhinos and some deer and foxes
• Sturgeon or Beluga caviar
• Agricultural products, including certain seeds, live or dead plants, unfinished or untreated wood and soil
• Items containing animal products controlled under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or requiring a permit under CITES
• Any unidentifiable material, substance or chemical
• Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping products

Customs requirements

When shipping to Bahrain, you will be required to fill out a customs form. This form will include all the relevant information about your package, such as what you are shipping, where you are shipping to, and why you are shipping it. This information will be used to determine the taxes on your shipment and whether you are sending anything prohibited.

Your taxes will be determined based on whether you are shipping to Bahrain for personal or business reasons, the type of items you are shipping, and their cash value. If you are shipping products for resale or are sending luxury items, you will be taxed at a higher rate.

Under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA), bilateral trade in industrial and consumer products, except for a few agricultural items, may be conducted duty-free. Goods imported into the GCC region are granted duty-free entry if the importer presents certificates issued by the first single-entry point as proof that customs duties have been paid. If the importer fails to provide this proof, the customs duty will be collected at the customs point of the country of final destination.

It is important to note that certain items are prohibited from being shipped to Bahrain. These include:

• Irradiated food products
• Weapons, except under a special license
• Pornography and other salacious materials
• Bugging devices and audio jammers
• Radio-controlled model airplanes
• Children's toys containing methyl chloride and other articles declared injurious by the Ministry of Health
• Foodstuffs and sweets containing cyclamates
• Tear gas, nerve gas, and weapons for their use
• Precious stones in any form and condition, except for jewellery
• Arms, ammunition, daggers, sword-canes, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and other secret weapons
• Fresh, preserved meat, rawhides, wool, and other animal products must be accompanied by a certificate showing the place of origin and stating that they are disease-free
• Perishable non-infectious biological substances
• Securities of any kind payable to the bearer
• Leaf or manufactured tobacco and cigarette paper, except with government authorization
• Saccharine in tablets or packets
• Prescription medications, including dental and veterinary
• Prescription medical devices
• Medical devices not FDA-approved
• Prohormones, Human Growth Hormones, stem cell treatments, steroids, or synthetic versions
• Products that are not labelled in English, or without FDA-approved labelling requirements: non-prescription medications, any food, supplement, drug, or cosmetic that has been issued a Consumer Safety Advisory Warning
• Perishable products of any kind
• Lab reagents, biologics, cultures, medical specimens
• Poisonous substances
• Toxic substances, including inhalation hazards
• Infectious substances
• Explosives, fireworks, gunpowder, flares, or matches
• Gasoline, diesel, or other fuels
• Lighters containing fuel
• Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)
• Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
• Radioactive elements or products
• Self-balancing boards (hoverboards)
• Firearms, guns, and accessories, including replicas
• BB/pellet/airsoft/paintball guns, parts, and projectiles
• Ammunition, magazines, and bayonets
• Tear gas, mace, and pepper spray
• Gas masks and gas mask filters
• Law enforcement striking weapons, including saps, batons, and billy clubs
• Handcuffs of any material, including plastic zip tie restraints and straitjackets
• Body armour, helmets, or personal protection articles with kevlar or ballistic ratings
• Military/tactical/police shields
• Government, police, or military uniforms, IDs, and badges (real or replica)
• Military training equipment
• Military and/or dual-use flight helmets and flight jumpsuits
• Military and law enforcement equipment
• Thermal imaging, InfraRed, or other night vision devices
• Rifle scopes, laser pointing, and aiming devices for firearms
• Defence articles controlled under the US Munitions List as defined under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
• Self-propelled vehicles
• Any dual-use or commercial article controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) as defined under the Export Administration Regulations, where the control status requires a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) approved export license
• Counterfeit products
• Contraband or illegal substances
• Gambling devices and accessories
• Lock-picking devices
• Live or dead animals or insects
• Skin or leather of snakes, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, and other reptiles or amphibians
• Skin, fur, or leather of certain animals, including wolves, bears, elephants, rhinos, and certain deer and foxes
• Sturgeon or Beluga caviar
• Agricultural products, including certain seeds, live or dead plants, unfinished or untreated wood, and soil
• Items containing animal products controlled under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or requiring a permit under CITES
• Any unidentifiable material, substance, or chemical
• Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping products

Shipping times

For example, the Light Packet service takes 10-16 business days and costs from $30, while the Global Express Drop Off service takes 6-7 business days and costs from $55.

Other express shipping services, such as DHL Express, FedEx Priority, and UPS Worldwide Saver, can deliver packages within 2-5 business days.

It is important to note that shipping times can be affected by factors such as the weight and size of the package, customs delays, and the chosen carrier.

When shipping internationally, it is advisable to send packages as early as possible to account for potential delays.

Shipping companies

Bahrain is a great place for import and export, with many manufacturing and production units. The country is served by several shipping companies that offer a range of services for different needs. Here is a list of some of the leading international shipping companies that operate in Bahrain:

Eastern Movers and Cargo

Eastern Movers and Cargo is a highly-rated shipping company in Bahrain. They have a team of efficient experts who can help you pack and unpack your things quickly, making your relocation experience easy and stress-free. They ensure the protection, safety, and timely delivery of your packages without any damage.

Al Jazeera Shipping Co. W.L.L.

Al Jazeera Shipping has been in the shipping industry for over 40 years and has a fleet of over 150 units of various sizes and types of machinery, barges, and other shipping tools. They are considered one of the largest marine operators in the Gulf region, with operations across the Arabian Gulf and other countries in the region.

Almoayed Wilhelmsen Ltd.

Almoayed Wilhelmsen offers its shipping services in 74 countries worldwide. They have skilled staff, use the latest innovations and shipping standards, and provide high-quality shipping tools to meet customer requirements.

Easy Movers Logistics Solutions

Easy Movers is a customer-centric and innovative logistics-focused company. They provide efficient freight management solutions, reliable packaging, and protection for your shipments.

Piano Moving Services

Piano Moving Services has been in operation since 1929 and has grown to become one of the leading international shipping lines and forwarders in Bahrain.

Gulf Agency Co. Bahrain W.L.L. (GAC)

GAC has over 60 years of expertise in shipping, logistics, and marine services. They have well-equipped shipping machinery and employees who ensure the timely delivery of parcels. GAC is also FIDI-awarded and is considered one of the best companies in Bahrain and the Middle East for international moving services.

International Moving

International Moving provides time-bound delivery and shipping services in the Middle East at reasonable prices, adhering to standard shipping protocols and industry standards.

Classic Cargo

Classic Cargo offers door-to-door cargo delivery services and has over 13 years of experience in the shipping industry. They are constantly investing in research and improving their services to reach higher standards and customer satisfaction.

Worldwide Sea Cargo

Worldwide Sea Cargo offers good loading and unloading shipping services in Bahrain, ensuring timely delivery without any delays. They have achieved high customer satisfaction due to their low charging rates and good-quality services.

Other Companies

Other shipping companies serving Bahrain include Parcel Monkey, USPS, ShipW, GAC International Moving, Alarrayed Logistics W.L.L., Transgulf Maritime Services W.L.L., Bring-It, WORLD SEAS SHIP CHANDLERS, and Black Roses Cargo & Trade.

Frequently asked questions