Shipping from USA to Bahrain — Freight Cost & Transit Times
A standard 40ft container from Houston to Khalifa Bin Salman costs approximately US$4,200 (range $3,696–$4,830) with a total sea transit of 38 days and typical door-to-door lead time of 45–49 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) | $3,696 – $4,830 |
| 20ft container (low–high) | $2,402 – $3,139 |
| Origin ports | Houston, Los Angeles, New York |
| Destination ports | Khalifa Bin Salman |
| Major carriers | Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM |
| 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 — USA to Bahrain
| Departure port | 40ft (USD) | 20ft (USD) | Sea transit (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $4,200 | $2,730 | 38 |
| Los Angeles | $4,536 | $2,948 | 38 |
| New York | $4,410 | $2,867 | 38 |
Rates differ by loading port because of terminal handling and inland positioning costs in USA.
Freight cost comparison — most requested lanes into Bahrain
Indicative 40ft container freight into Bahrain across the lanes importers request most often. The USA 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 USA → Bahrain
Rates are usually steadiest January–May; the August–November peak season can raise rates and lengthen rollovers.
What moves on the USA → Bahrain lane
The USA supplies polymers, agricultural commodities, oilfield equipment and specialty chemicals, largely out of Houston on the Gulf Coast.
The longest lane in this set — Houston sailings route via the Mediterranean or the Cape, and rates carry a structural premium.
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 USA
Arrival ports in Bahrain
Other origins shipping to Bahrain
Other destinations from USA
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 USA → Bahrain.