Shipping from South Korea to Bahrain — Freight Cost & Transit Times
A standard 40ft container from Busan to Khalifa Bin Salman costs approximately US$2,400 (range $2,112–$2,760) with a total sea transit of 24 days and typical door-to-door lead time of 31–35 days including port handling and customs clearance. Bahrain applies 5% customs duty and 10% VAT on imported goods.
Freight & duty summary
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 40ft container (low–high) | $2,112 – $2,760 |
| 20ft container (low–high) | $1,373 – $1,794 |
| Origin ports | Busan |
| Destination ports | Khalifa Bin Salman |
| Major carriers | HMM, Maersk, ONE |
| Customs duty | 5% |
| VAT | 10% |
| FTA benefit | Standard MFN rates apply |
Indicative General Cargo rates; refreshed monthly by DocMakTrade's trade desk.
Departure port comparison — South Korea to Bahrain
| Departure port | 40ft (USD) | 20ft (USD) | Sea transit (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | $2,400 | $1,560 | 24 |
Rates differ by loading port because of terminal handling and inland positioning costs in South Korea.
Freight cost comparison — most requested lanes into Bahrain
Indicative 40ft container freight into Bahrain across the lanes importers request most often. The South Korea lane is highlighted, so you can see instantly whether switching origin would materially change your ocean freight line item. Figures are the mid-point of each lane's assessed range and exclude duty, VAT and destination clearance.
- India → Bahrain — $1,500 per 40ft container (indicative)
- Turkey → Bahrain — $1,900 per 40ft container (indicative)
- China → Bahrain — $2,200 per 40ft container (indicative)
- Vietnam → Bahrain — $2,300 per 40ft container (indicative)
- South Korea → Bahrain — $2,400 per 40ft container (indicative)
- Italy → Bahrain — $2,900 per 40ft container (indicative)
- Netherlands → Bahrain — $3,038 per 40ft container (indicative)
Documents and customs for Bahrain
Documents usually required
- Commercial invoice (signed, showing HS codes and Incoterm)
- Packing list with gross/net weights and package marks
- Bill of lading (original, telex release or sea waybill)
- Certificate of origin (chamber-attested where requested)
- Commercial registration (CR) linked to the OFOQ customs system
Customs notes
- 5% duty, 10% VAT. Bahrain Logistics Zone offers duty-free storage.
- Typical customs clearance at Khalifa Bin Salman: 1–3 working days once documents are complete.
- VAT base: CIF value plus duty; settlement currency BHD.
- Trade agreements recognised by Bahrain: GCC Customs Union, GAFTA, US–Bahrain FTA.
Prepare the paperwork with the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin makers, then check the full Bahrain import guide.
Best time to ship South Korea → Bahrain
Rates are usually steadiest March–June; the Chuseok holiday (September–October) can delay factory pickups.
What moves on the South Korea → Bahrain lane
South Korea is a petrochemical and high-grade steel origin, with almost all Gulf-bound boxes routed through Busan.
Direct Far East–Middle East strings from Busan, frequently combined with a China port rotation.
Bahrain clears through Khalifa Bin Salman Port and also serves as a lower-cost entry option for cargo trucked onward to Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Commodities commonly imported from South Korea
Arrival ports in Bahrain
Other origins shipping to Bahrain
Other destinations from South Korea
Run the numbers for this lane
Frequently asked questions
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Import destinations
Popular shipping routes
Major ports & entry gateways
Ready to run the numbers?
Run the freight estimator for South Korea → Bahrain.