Shipping from Dubai to BahrainShipping from Dubai to Bahrain, by road, air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Bahrain for businesses. We truck loads through Saudi Arabia and across the King Fahd Causeway, fly air cargo from DXB to Bahrain International Airport, and ship sea freight from Jebel Ali to Khalifa Bin Salman Port. We check GCC origin and Saudi transit papers so the cargo crosses smoothly.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Bahrain at a glance
Bahrain is an island linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, so road cargo from Dubai crosses Saudi Arabia first.
- Flight time
- About 1 h DXB to Bahrain
- By road
- Via Saudi Arabia and the causeway
- Customs
- Bahrain Customs Affairs
- VAT
- 10% on imports
Airports and seaports in Bahrain we ship to
Road cargo enters Bahrain across the causeway from Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | BAH | Bahrain International, the air cargo gateway | |
| Seaport | BHKBS | Bahrain's main container port at Hidd | |
| Land border | Road | The road link from Saudi Arabia |
Air, sea to Bahrain
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land transport | Dubai via Saudi Arabia and the King Fahd Causeway | A few days, border dependent | Pallets, FTL and LTL |
| DXB to BAH | Same or next day | Urgent parts and samples | |
| Sea freight | Jebel Ali to Khalifa Bin Salman Port | Short feeder sailings | Containers and heavy cargo |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Bahrain
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Gulf Air
Causeway and border queues vary; we check current conditions when booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Bahrain: what the importer needs
Bahraini importers clear goods through Bahrain Customs Affairs.
| Item | In Bahrain |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Bahrain Customs Affairs |
| Declaration | Electronic declaration through the OFOQ customs system |
| Importer registration | Bahraini commercial registration (CR) |
| Duty and tax | 5% GCC common external tariff on most goods, plus 10% VAT |
| Trade agreement | GCC customs union: UAE-origin goods with a GCC certificate of origin enter duty-free |
Bahrain's VAT rate rose to 10% in 2022.
Approvals to check before booking
Some products need Bahraini approvals before release.
- 01
Product standards
Some products must meet GCC and Bahraini standards.
- 02
Food safety
Food needs labelling and health clearance.
- 03
Health regulator
Medicines and medical devices need registration.
- 04
Claims duty-free entry for UAE-made goods.
- 05
Road cargo needs Saudi transit papers and Bahraini entry.
- 06
Telecom approval
Wireless devices may need TRA type approval.
Documents for shipping to Bahrain
Send these with your booking. For road cargo we prepare transit papers in advance.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Duty-free entry for UAE-made goods | |
| Saudi transit for road cargo |
Restricted or banned in Bahrain
- Narcotics
- Counterfeit goods
- Weapons without a permit
- Medicines without registration
- Pork without approval
Ask us before shipping anything unusual.
What UAE businesses ship to Bahrain
Bahrain and the UAE are GCC partners with free movement of qualifying national goods.
- 01
Food and FMCG
Retail and food stock.
- 02
Building materials
Construction and fit-out supplies.
- 03
Electronics
IT and electrical equipment.
Dubai to Bahrain shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneIt crosses Saudi Arabia and then the King Fahd Causeway. Trucks leave the UAE at Al Ghuwaifat, travel through Saudi Arabia in customs transit, and enter Bahrain from Al Khobar over the causeway. Transit papers and Bahraini entry clearance are needed. Queues at the causeway affect timing.
- Air takes about an hour.
- Sea suits full containers.
Bahrain charges 10% VAT on most imports. The rate rose from 5% to 10% in 2022. VAT is collected at customs on the value plus any duty, and registered businesses can usually recover it. Customs duty follows the GCC common tariff, usually 5% for non-GCC goods.
- UAE-made goods can be duty-free.
- VAT still applies to them.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port at Hidd receives containers. It is Bahrain's main container port, run by APM Terminals Bahrain. Feeder vessels connect it with Jebel Ali in a short sailing. From the port, cargo is trucked to Manama, Sitra or industrial areas after clearance.
- UN/LOCODE is BHKBS.
- LCL is consolidated in Jebel Ali.
UAE-made goods can enter Bahrain duty-free. Under the GCC customs union, goods of national origin with a GCC certificate of origin pay no customs duty. Goods made outside the GCC and re-exported from Dubai usually pay the 5% common tariff. VAT of 10% applies either way.
- Origin is where goods were made.
- The certificate travels with the cargo.