English text status

English translation published by the NBR in its bilingual Regulations file (marked unofficial). The Arabic text published in the Official Gazette remains the legal reference in the event of any discrepancy.

Practical summary

Goods are not finally imported while under customs suspension such as warehouse, temporary admission, transit or same-Person re-export, if a VAT-value guarantee or cash deposit remains valid throughout. The Article also addresses proof of VAT paid through an Implementing State.

Who should read this?

Importers, brokers, customs, treasury and guarantee teams.

Why does it matter?

Suspension delays Import and does not erase VAT; release changes treatment. Guarantee expiry is a separate risk. Other-State payment assumes an NBR-announced Implementing State.

Customs suspensionVAT-value guaranteeRelease ends suspension

Current text

A. Goods shall not be considered as Goods imported into the Kingdom in the following cases: ( 1. Where these Goods are under a Tax customs duty suspension regime in accordance with the Customs Law for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, provided that a financial guarantee or cash deposit equivalent to the value of Tax due has been provided in the following cases: a) Goods placed in a customs warehouse b) Temporary importation c) Goods in transit ( d) Imported Goods for the purpose of re-exporting by the same Person. 2. The financial guarantee referred to in Clause 1 of this Article shall have the following requirements: a) Its value shall be equivalent to the value of Tax due. b) It shall be issued by a bank licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain either in the form of an unconditional or unrestricted letter of guarantee or as a payable and certified cheque. c) It shall be valid for the entire period during which the Goods are placed under one of the customs duty suspension regimes. d) The Importer shall renew it at the end of its validity period if the Goods have not been released from the customs duty suspension regime. B. Where a Person imports Goods into the Kingdom through another Implementing State, Tax will not be due at import, if it is evident that the Tax due has been paid in that other Implementing State. The Importer shall declare to the Bureau the value of the Tax paid in the other Implementing State and submit documents evidencing such payment.

Suspension file

  1. 1

    Identify regime and declaration.

  2. 2

    Calculate guarantee VAT value.

  3. 3

    Verify licensed bank and accepted form.

  4. 4

    Renew before expiry.

  5. 5

    Evidence release or re-export.

  6. 6

    For other-State payment, verify announcement and evidence.

Connected provisions

Official guides and tools

Connected Madar tools

Illustrative example by Madar

Guarantee expired while Goods remain warehoused

Goods remain under warehouse suspension with BHD 1,000 VAT guarantee that expires. Suspension does not excuse renewal; guarantee must remain valid for the full period.

Questions to help you apply it

  • Which regime?
  • Guarantee equals VAT?
  • Still valid?
  • Release date?
  • Other State implementing?