Moving to Bahrain? Here’s What You Need to Know

At Mercia Movers, we make international relocations to Bahrain simple, safe, and stress-free. Whether you’re moving for work, family, or adventure, our experienced team will handle everything from packing to paperwork – so you can focus on your next chapter.

If you’re planning a move to Bahrain, here’s a quick guide to help you understand what’s needed when shipping your household goods, personal belongings, or even your vehicle.

📦 Importing Household Goods to Bahrain

Good news – used household goods and personal items can be imported duty-free, provided you have a valid Bahrain Residence Permit. You’ll need to provide:

• A copy of your passport and residence permit (with Ministry stamp and QR code)
• A packing list in English
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Central Population Registry (CPR) card
• Lease agreement (especially if living in Bahrain but working in Saudi Arabia)
• Signed customs forms (we’ll help you with these!)

All shipments are 100% inspected upon arrival. While most used items are free of duty, new goods may attract 5% duty and 10% VAT. Musical instruments, computers, and food items are also subject to duties.

✅ Pro tip: If you’re shipping books, include a list with each title, author, genre, and whether it’s new or used – customs take literature seriously.

🚗 Shipping a Car to Bahrain

Want to bring your car? We can help with that too. Just note the following:

• Cars over 5 years old cannot be imported
• Only left-hand drive vehicles are allowed
• You’ll need a valid residence permit, car title, insurance, and an import certificate
• Customs duty is 5%, and 10% VAT is also charged
• Vehicles cannot be shipped with a full tank of fuel
• A deposit may be required until your residence permit is confirmed

All vehicles are inspected at customs and will need local insurance before being released.

🐶 Bringing Pets to Bahrain

Yes, you can bring your furry friends – but there are rules:

• Pets must have an import permit, vaccination certificate, and health certificate
• They’ll be quarantined for around 30 days upon arrival
• You’re responsible for feeding arrangements during quarantine
• Pets must travel as cargo, not in the cabin (except assistance animals)

We’ll help you navigate the process to make your pet’s journey as smooth as yours.

🚫 Items You Can’t Bring into Bahrain

Like many countries, Bahrain has strict rules about what can and can’t be imported. Prohibited items include:

• Firearms, swords, daggers, military gear
• Drugs and narcotics
• Flammable items
• Pornographic material, pirated media, or banned books
• Remote-controlled aircraft, drones, satellite receivers
• Gambling games or devices

🚨 Important: If any of these items are found, customs may hold the entire shipment – and may involve the local police. We strongly advise checking your shipment carefully in advance.

🍷 Alcohol

You can import alcohol as part of your household goods shipment, but it is subject to customs duty and VAT, assessed at the discretion of Bahraini customs officials.

Let Mercia Movers Handle the Hard Part

Moving to Bahrain doesn’t have to be complicated. At Mercia Movers, we specialise in international removals and know the Bahrain customs process inside out. We’ll assign you a dedicated move coordinator, take care of all the paperwork, and keep you informed every step of the way.

📞 Ready to get started? Call our team or fill out our quick online quote form.
Let’s make your move to Bahrain smooth, safe, and hassle-free.