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.
With NBR approval, the profit-margin scheme may cover qualifying reusable movable used Goods, art, antiques and scientific, historical or archaeological collectors' items bought from an eligible source. Margin equals selling price minus purchase price and is VAT-inclusive; no Input VAT is deducted on acquisition, the invoice states the scheme and records are retained.
Used-car, second-hand Goods, art, antique and collectors' item dealers.
The scheme is not a free choice for every used item. Approval, eligible Goods and eligible acquisition source are all required; VAT is extracted from the inclusive margin, not the total selling price.
Current text
Before margin scheme
- 1
Verify NBR approval.
- 2
Classify eligible Goods.
- 3
Verify acquisition source.
- 4
Keep item-level purchase and sale prices.
- 5
Extract VAT from inclusive margin.
- 6
Do not deduct acquisition VAT.
- 7
Evidence prior VAT treatment in Bahrain; do not apply the scheme without evidence.
- 8
State the scheme without showing a VAT amount on the invoice and retain records.
Connected provisions
Official guides and tools
Connected Madar tools
Used car bought for BHD 8,000 and sold for BHD 10,000
If approval, Goods, source and prior-VAT evidence conditions are met, the BHD 2,000 margin is VAT-inclusive. At 10%, VAT is BHD 2,000 × 10÷110 = BHD 181.818 to the nearest fils, not BHD 1,000 on the full selling price.
Questions to help you apply it
- Approval?
- Eligible Good?
- Source?
- Margin?
- No deduction?
- Invoice statement?