Money and duty free for Bahrain

Currency and Money

Currency information

Dinar (BHD) = 1,000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BHD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of BHD (500 fils),100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. ATMs are available in major cities.

ATM

ATMs are available in major cities.

Travellers cheques

The use of traveller’s cheques in Bahrainis becoming increasingly uncommon. It has become difficult to find a restaurant or a shop that accept traveller's cheques. While the exchange rate for traveller's cheques isn't very satisfying at hotels, banks charge a commission for the service. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking hours

Sun-Thu 0730-1500. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday. International banks are open from 07:30 to 19:30, and some national banks are open between 8am to 4pm.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency exchange

Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureaux de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureaux de change than at the airport or at hotels.

Bahrain duty free

Overview

The following items can be imported duty-free into Bahrain by persons aged 18 and over:
• 1 electronic hookah device
• 1 electronic tobacco heater
• 10 electronic cigarettes
• 50 cigars
• 400 cigarettes or electronic cigarettes or 250g of tobacco (in opened packs)
• 60ml filling for electronic hookahs
• 250g pipe tobacc;
• 3 liters of alcoholic beverages
• 12 cans of beer
• Gifts worth up to 300 BD.

Banned Imports

Prohibited imports include narcotics, Indian paan and derivatives, used and reconditioned tyres, cultured pearls, advertisements for cigarettes, radio-controlled model aircraft, children's toy guns, goods of Israeli origin, publications that contradict Islamic teachings, asbestos, raw ivory/ ivory articles and rhinoceros horn, and live swine.

Restricted imports requiring authorisation include animals, animal products, plants, fruit and vegetables, firearms and ammunition, radioactive chemicals and active isotopes, films and publications, and telecommunications equipment.

Banned Exports

Prohibited exports include fuel, flour, red meat and fresh chicken bearing the trademark 'Delmon'.

Restricted exports requiring authorisation include palm tree seedlings and antiquities.