1 TARIFF MEASURES
Structure of the tariff schedule
Bahrain applies an eight-digit tariff nomenclature according to the
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS
96).
Tariff Publications
Current information on customs-related matters is available
from:
The Director General of Customs
Directorate of Customs & Ports
P.O. Box 15
Manama
Tariff Rates
| 12 |
As of June 2000, the applied MFN tariff consists of ad valorem rates
ranging from zero to 125%. Bahrain's tariff structure currently has
seven bands: zero, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 20%, 100%, and 125%. Most items
are dutiable at rates of zero or 5%. Tariffs range from zero
to 100% for industrial goods, and from zero to 125% for agricultural products.
Mixed rates of 100% or specific minimum import duties are set on tobacco
and tobacco products. Alcohol products enter at a rate of 125%.
Imports under 11 tariff lines are prohibited; there are no rates associated
with the prohibited tariff lines. Effective 1 January 2000, the Government
removed customs duties on 43 food items, and reduced customs duties from
10% to 7.5% on consumer goods. However, under the Industries Support
and Protection Act, tariff protection of up to 20% is provided for medical
products, aluminium products, cotton buds, tissue paper, and edible oil.
The Government also tends to give preference to Bahraini and GCC products
up to a price difference of 10 percent, provided that standard specifications
of kind and quality are met. |
| 16 |
No duty is payable on imports of raw materials, machinery and equipment
imported for local factories qualifying under the Local Industries Protection
and Support Programme. Duty Drawback is allowed under resolution
No. 2 of 1986, if certain conditions are met. |
| 19.1 |
On 19 February 1997, the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League
decided to establish an Arab Fee-Trade Area over a period of ten years
starting from 1 January 1998. During the ten year period, member
countries ought to reduce their respective tariffs by 10% annually.
As from 1 January 2007, the free-trade area was scheduled to be fully operational.
Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti and Mauritania did not join the Agreement.
Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen did not start the implementation. |
| 19.2 |
As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which includes Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain participates
in the GCC's free-trade arrangement, providing duty-free access to all
goods produced in the GCC countries provided that they meet the GCC's basic
local-content requirements of not less than 40% and that the capital of
the producing firm is at least 51% owned by citizens of GCC member
countries. Under the recently signed GCC Agreement proposing a customs
union by the year 2005, external tariffs will be lowered to three rates:
zero; 5.5% for basic products including food and clothing; and 7.5% for
luxury goods and electronics. Motor vehicles which currently face
import duties of 20% are also to be included in the implementation of the
agreement. |
| 19.3 |
Bahrain has signed bilateral free-trade agreements with Tunisia, Jordan,
Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. The extent of tariff preferences granted
under these agreements depends on the individual agreement. |
6 QUANTITY CONTROL MEASURES
Licensing under the overall authority of:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
P.O. Box 5479
Diplomatic Area
Manama
Bahrain does not have an import license per se, however, there are some
restrictions on imports of certain items.
| 61.72 |
Imports of live animals from countries other than Australia, the Bahamas,
Barbados, Cyprus, Honk Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom require
a prior permission from the Ministry of Works and Agriculture. |
| 61.77 |
Imports of radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes require
a permission from the Ministry of Health for safety reasons. |
Prohibitions
| 63.1 |
Imports under 11 tariff lines including live swine, oilseeds, poppy
seeds, and cultural pearls are absolutely prohibited. |
| 63.71 |
The importation of sugar confectionery not containing cacao, undiluted
ethyl alcohol, brakes containing asbestos, and toys containing methyl chloride
is prohibited for human health reasons. |
| 63.74 |
Ornamental birds, articles of ivory, and articles of cultured unworked
pearls may not be imported in order to protect environment. |
| 63.77 |
The importation of retreaded tyres is prohibited to ensure human safety. |
| 63.78 |
The importation of propellant powder and specified telecommunication
equipment is prohibited to ensure national security. |
| 63.8 |
As a member of the Arab League, Bahrain is officially committed to
enforcement of the primary aspect of the League's embargo decreed by this
institution in 1954 (as amended) with regard to products originating in
Israel. |
7 MONOPOLISTIC MEASURES
Single channel for imports
| 71.2 |
Imports of wheat are carried out only by Bahrain Import-Export Company.
In addition, alumina, used in the production of aluminium, is imported
only by the state-owned Bahrain-Saudi Aluminium Marketing Company (BALCO). |
8 TECHNICAL MEASURES
Technical regulations
Standards are formulated and enforced by:
Directorate of Standards and Metrology
P.O. Box 5479
Manama
| 81.1 |
Bahrain's national standards are mandatory, whereas technical regulations
do not enjoy national status until they are adopted as national standards.
Most Bahraini standards are based on standards developed by the Gulf Standardization
and Metrology Organization of the GCC (GSMO). The GSMO is currently
reviewing conformity of Gulf standards with international standards.
A certificate of compliance in conformity with GCC standards is required
for special purpose motor vehicles which have been modified.
Imports of food products are monitored and tested by the Ministry of
Health to ensure compliance with the national food standards, and must
be accompanied by certificates declaring them free from cyclamate as well
as free from radiation and dioxin. Imported meat and poultry products
require a health certificate from the country of origin and a halal slaughter
certificate issued by an approved Islamic centre in the country of origin.
Bahrain strictly enforces shelf life standards on 58 of 75 food products
listed in Gulf Standard 150/1993. Shelf life standards of the remaining
17 items are less stringently applied.
A number of imports require a no objection certificate from the competent
authority. The Ministry of Agriculture issues the above for fertilizers,
insecticides and fungicides; the Equestrian and Horse Racing Club for horses;
the Ministry of Interior for fireworks, handcuffs, pedestrian controlled
four-wheel mini cars, and arms and ammunition; and the Ministry of Information
for aerials and aerial reflectors.
Line telephone sets with cordless handsets and all other telephone items
require a certificate from the Ministry of Transportation saying frequency
and waves are checked.
Natural pearls and articles thereof require a certificate from the Ministry
of Commerce saying that the same are checked and OK.
All kinds of aerosols, air conditioning machines, refrigerators and
freezers, motor vehicles, solvents, and certain spare parts require a certificate
declaring them free from ozone depleting substances.
According to legislative decree No. 20 of 1983, with respect to Agricultural
Quarantine, all imports of plants must be accompanied by an agricultural
clearance certificate issued by the appropriate authorities in the country
of export. Imports of flour, rice, wheat seed, and agricultural seeds
and plants require a phytosanitary certificate.
In accordance with decree No. 1/1985, animal imports, which are restricted
for health reasons, must be accompanied by sanitary certificates from the
country of origin. Cats and dogs may only be imported from selected
countries and must be accompanied by a health certificate from the competent
authority stating that the animal is free from rabies. A veterinary
certificate is required for live domestic and wild animals, bovine semen,
inedible fish, and eggs in conformity with decree No. 5/1988. |
| 81.2 |
Imports from EU member states must display the exact country of origin.
Marks of origin "Made in Europe" are not accepted.
Cigarettes and tobacco products must bear a warning against the health
damages of tobacco.
Bird eggs require a country of origin stamp to safeguard consumer interest. |
| 81.3 |
Bahrain has adopted food product labelling standards developed by the
Gulf Standardization and Metrology Organization of the GCC (GSMO).
Food labels must include product and brand names, production and expiry
dates, country of origin, name of the manufacturer, net weight in metric
units, and a list of ingredients and additives. All fats and oils
must be specifically identified on the label. Labels must be in Arabic
or Arabic/English. |
| 81.5 |
Imported plants and animals are subject to inspection by the Agricultural
Quarantine Unit of the Ministry of Works and Agriculture. |
| 81.9 |
Pharmaceutical products must be imported directly from a manufacturer
who has a research department and must be licensed in at least two other
GCC countries, one of which must be Saudi Arabia. |
|