2011 Bahrain Country Commercial Guide - US - Export.gov

Food and Drug Administration, Office of Compliance
Food and Drug Administration, Import/Export
Patent and Trademark Office, Licensing and Review
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, International and
Special Projects Branch
Temporary Entry Return to top
The Government of Bahrain already implemented a Free Trade Zone in 2011, located
near Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Facilities located in Mina Salman and Mina Khalifa may
be used for the temporary import of goods for re-export. Moreover in 2011 the General
Organization of Ports started a marketing campaign world-wide for their Logistic Zone
located near the new port facility.
Labeling and Marking Requirements Return to top
Labeling: Common GCC labeling standards of imported goods are a key issue facing
U.S. exporters. Food labels must include product and brand names, production and
expiration dates, country of origin, name and address of manufacturer, net weight in
metric units, and a list of ingredients in descending order of magnitude. All fats and oils
(including gelatins) used as ingredients must be specifically identified on the label.
Labels must be in Arabic or in Arabic/English. Arabic stickers are accepted and are
commonly used by U.S. exporters to Bahrain. Small quantities of products in Englishonly
labels may be approved for import on a case-by-case basis for test marketing
purposes. Pork products, or products containing pork or pork lard, should be clearly
identified as such on the label. Products found to contain traces of pork that are not so
labeled will be confiscated and possibly banned from future import for a specified period
of time. To avoid confusion over duty-free treatment under the FTA, American-made
goods should be clearly marked ―Made in the USA.‖
Prohibited and Restricted Imports Return to top
According to the Bahrain Customs Handbook, a number of items are prohibited from
import including:
Irradiated food products;
Weapons, except under special license;
Pornography and materials considered salacious;
Wild animals;
Radio-controlled model airplanes;
Children's toys containing methyl chloride and other articles declared injurious by the
Ministry of Health (MOH);
Foodstuffs and sweets containing cyclamates.
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