Includes a list of goods that are prohibited from being exported to the country or are otherwise restricted.
Last Published: 2/12/2019

According to the Bahrain Customs Handbook, the following items cannot be imported into Bahrain:

  • All types of narcotic drugs (heroin, cocaine, hashish, pills having drugs 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
  • Goods of Israeli origin or bearing Israeli trademarks or logos
  • 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 and Commerce after approval by the Ministry of Health. 

All imported beef and poultry products require a health certificate issued by the country of origin, and a halal slaughter certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in that country, if it meets halal standards.  Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law of slaughtering animals or poultry.
For an up-to-date copy of the prohibited items list, please visit Bahrain's Customs website:  www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh.

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