Bahrain
Key advice
Cameras and accessories in non-commercial quantities are duty-free in Bahrain. The gift allowance is 250 BHD (~663 USD); above this, the GCC rate of 5% applies. Declare your expensive dive photography gear at the red channel with original invoices to prove personal use.
- Customs authority
- Bahrain Customs Directorate - Ministry of Interior
- Personal duty-free allowance
- 250 BHD (~663 USD)
- ATA Carnet
- Not accepted
- Official website
- customs.gov.bh ↗
Practical scenarios
You're traveling to Bahrain with a GoPro Hero 11 and its waterproof housing, with a total value of approximately €600. Upon arrival, proceed through the green channel if you have nothing else to declare. Your photo-video equipment is considered non-commercial and falls within the allowance. Keep your purchase receipts in case of a random check to justify the value and personal use. The risk is minimal, as the value is below the gift allowance of 250 BHD (approximately 663 USD).
You're arriving in Bahrain with a Sony A6700 mirrorless camera, an Isotta housing, and a macro lens, with a total value of approximately €3,500. Head to the red channel to declare your equipment. Present your purchase invoices to prove that the gear is for personal, non-commercial use. While cameras are generally admitted duty-free, the high value might attract attention. In case of suspicion of commercial use, a 5% duty on the value exceeding the gift allowance (250 BHD) could be applied, but this is unlikely for a single system.
You're traveling to Bahrain with a complete system: a Nikon Z8, a Nauticam housing, two lenses (macro and fisheye), for a total value of approximately €12,000. It is imperative to go through the red channel. Declare all your equipment and present all purchase invoices. Emphasize the personal and non-commercial use of this specialized gear. The main risk is that customs might consider part of the equipment to exceed the non-commercial quantity, or they might apply the 5% duty on the value exceeding the 250 BHD gift allowance, even for personal use, due to the very high value.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare my underwater camera in Bahrain if its value is high?
Yes, it is highly recommended to declare any high-value underwater photo-video equipment (exceeding the gift allowance of 250 BHD, or approximately 663 USD) by going through the red channel. This helps prove personal use and avoids misunderstandings or potential taxes upon entry or exit.
What is the customs duty rate if my camera equipment exceeds the allowance in Bahrain?
If your equipment is considered commercial or if its value exceeds the 250 BHD gift allowance and it's not considered a non-commercial quantity, a customs duty rate of 5% of the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value will be applied to the excess value.
Is the ATA Carnet accepted in Bahrain for dive photography equipment?
No, the ATA Carnet is not accepted for the temporary import of dive photography equipment into Bahrain for tourist or personal use. It is limited to trade fairs and exhibitions only. For more information, please consult the official website directly: https://www.customs.gov.bh/