WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/Q/BHR/2 
14 September 2005 
 
 (05-4025) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION OF REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT  
LICENSING PROCEDURES FROM BAHRAIN
1 
 
Replies from BAHRAIN to the UNITED STATES2 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 12 September 2005, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Bahrain.  
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Question
:  
 
 In document G/LIC/N/3/BHR/1, Bahrain states that it does not have a system or a specific 
form for import licensing, referring, however, to  document G/LIC/N/1/BHR/1 dated 13 June 1997, in 
which there are some prohibitions and restrictions imposed on some imports for health, security and 
religious reasons.  These are contained in Bahrain' s "Rules of Import in Bahrain", and Ministerial 
Decree No. 10/1976 providing for limitations on mat erials which are considered within the rules for 
explosives, as well as "prohibitions and restrictions imposed on some imports." 
 
- Do the limitations and restrictions imposed for whatever reason, e.g., health, safety, or 
security reasons, involve securing prior authoriz ation for importation of certain products?  
This could constitute an import licensing system  within the meaning of Article 1 of the 
Agreement, and Bahrain should consider revising its submission to provide the information 
requested in the Questionnaire3. 
 
Reply : 
  Bahrain does not have quantitativ e restrictions or non-automatic import licensing.  However, 
there are some prohibitions and restrictions impo sed on some imports for health, security, religious, 
and environmental reasons in accordance with Ar ticles XX and XXI of GATT 1994 (see Annexes 1 
and 2).   
                                                     
 
1 G/LIC/N/3/BHR/1 
2 G/LIC/4 
3 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire used for Article 7.3 notifications. G/LIC/Q/BHR/2 
Page 2  
 
 ANNEX 1 
 
LIST OF RESTRICTIONS FOR KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN 
 
S.L. 
No. HS Code Product 
Description Qualifying conditions 
for release of import Initiating 
Ministry WTO 
Justification 
1 01061990 
  95081000 Other live wild 
dangerous  Animals for Circus only 1) No Objection 
Certificate from Ministry of Interior 2) Valid Certificate from Veterinary Authority Ministry of 
Interior  Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture 
Affairs  
 Article XX (b) 
2 22072019 Unadulterated Ethyl 
Alcohol of Isopropyl, 
Isopropanol No Objection 
Certificate from 
Ministry of Interior Ministry of 
Interior 
 Article XX (b) 
3 From: 
31010000 to 31050000 Animal or vegetable 
fertilizers whether or not mixed together or chemically treated No Objection 
Certificate from Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs Ministry of 
Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs Article XX (b) 
4 38080000 Insecticides and 
fungicides No Objection 
Certificate from 
Ministry of 
Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs Ministry of 
Municipalities 
& Agriculture 
Affairs Article XX (b) 
5 73269099 Hand-cuffs made from 
Iron and Steel No Objection 
Certificate from Ministry of Interior Ministry of 
Interior  Article XXI   
(a) 
6 87011000 Pedestrian controlled 
four wheel Mini Car No Objection 
Certificate from Ministry of Interior Ministry of 
Interior  Article XXI 
(a) 
7 01010000 Horses 1) No Objection 
Certificate from 
Equestrian and Horse 
Racing Club 2) Valid Certificate from Veterinary Authority Crown Prince 
Court 
 
Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs Article XX (b) 
8 28444010 Radio active chemical 
elements and active 
Isotopes 1) Permission from 
Ministry of Health 
2) Safety reasons Ministry of 
Health Article XX (b) 
9 From: 
93000000 
to 93070000 Arms and ammunition, 
Military weapons and 
parts thereof, Bombs, Grenade torpedoes, Mines, Missiles and parts thereof, Swords, 
Cutlasses, Bayonets, 
Lances and similar arms and parts thereof No Objection 
Certificate from 
Ministry of Interior Ministry of 
Interior 
 Article XXI 
(b) 
and 
Article XX (b) 
  G/LIC/Q/BHR/2 
 Page 3 
 
 
 ANNEX 2 
 
LIST OF PROHIBITIONS FOR KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN 
 
S.L. 
No. HS Code Product 
Description Qualifying conditions 
for release of import Initiating 
Ministry WTO 
Justification 
1 01030000 Live swine Religi ous reasons Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX (a) 
2 - Drugs Drugs & narcotics 
reasons Ministry of 
Interior Article XX 
(a, b) 
3 - Indian Pan and 
derivative To preserve 
environment  Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX 
(b) 
4 40120000 Retreated tyres and 
used tyres Safety reasons Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX 
(b) 
5 - Advertisement 
material for propaganda of all types of cigarette Health reasons Ministry of 
Commerce Ministry of Health Article XX 
(b) 
6 - Asbestos and articles 
of asbestos Safety reasons & 
health reasons Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX 
(b) 
7 71012100 
71012200 71161010  
Cultured pearls To assist regeneration 
of natural pearl industry Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX 
(g) 
8 95038000 Radio remote control 
model aeroplane Security reasons and 
safety reasons due to 
the space limitations Ministry of 
Interior Article XXI 
(a) 
9 95039000 Children's toys in the 
form of gun, with power Security reasons and 
safety reasons Ministry of 
Interior Ministry of Commerce Article XX 
(b) 
10 05071000 
96011000 96019000  
Ivory and articles of ivory To preserve natural 
environment  Ministry of 
Commerce Article XX 
(g) 
 
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