Import duty · Bahrain
Duty breakdown for Bahrain
Every charge Bahrain applies to an imported car, in the order its customs system applies it, plus the vehicle age limit that decides whether the unit can enter at all.
| Charge | Rate and base |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | 5% of CIFGCC Common Customs Tariff: 5% of CIF. |
| VAT | 10% of CIF + duty + everything above |
Reviewed 2026-09-24 · Checked against published rules
Where these figures come from
- GCC Common Customs Tariff
- Bahrain National Bureau for Revenue VAT rate
- Bahrain raises VAT at 10%, twice the duty rate.
Age limits, certification routes and duty lines are taken from published rules and reviewed by our team, but customs assesses each vehicle individually. Treat anything here as a planning input, not as an assessment.
Full Bahrain import guideRun your own numbers
The calculator starts on this country. Change the FOB, freight, engine size and vehicle age to match the unit you are actually considering.
Your figures
Editable on purpose: the duty band moves with HS code, engine and age, so use the rate your clearing agent confirms.
An age limit applies to used vehicle imports.
Estimated landed cost
- CIF value
- $13,620
- Customs duty (5%)
- $681
- VAT (10%)
- $1,430
- All charges except duty
- $2,111
15.50%% of CIF — Age limits, certification routes and duty lines are taken from published rules and reviewed by our team, but customs assesses each vehicle individually. Treat anything here as a planning input, not as an assessment.
- How much is car import duty in Bahrain?
- Base customs duty is 5% of CIF, and 1 further charges sit on top: VAT. The order matters, because VAT is charged on the charges as well as on the car. Put your own FOB and freight figures into the calculator above to see the total.
- Is Bahrain duty charged on the price I paid for the car?
- CIF value declared at Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
- What is the vehicle age limit for importing into Bahrain?
- An age limit applies to used vehicle imports.
- What is not included in these figures?
- Port charges at both ends, terminal handling, demurrage if a unit sits, agent and clearing fees at destination, and registration or number plates after clearance. Any inland transport line is shown separately where it applies, because it is a road cost rather than a customs charge. Ask for a quote and every one of these is itemised.