A shipping company from Sharjah to Bahrain has to understand commercial cargo first: a stainless-steel fridge is not packed like a box of clothes, and the invoice for a new restaurant in Bahrain is not written like a list of personal belongings. At Al Basmah International Shipping we collect from our Sharjah branch in Industrial Area 18 or from your own location anywhere in the emirate, then load onto an enclosed truck that crosses Saudi Arabia in transit, over the King Fahd Causeway and into Bahrain. Door-to-door including clearance usually takes about 2–4 days. Most of what we move on this lane is restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment and shop stock, alongside household furniture, parcels and vehicles. Send photos and sizes on WhatsApp +971557643821 and we will reply with the price.
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The commercial shipment file
- Route: Sharjah → Al Ghuwaifat/Al Batha → Al Ahsa → Dammam → King Fahd Causeway → Bahrain, with the load sealed in transit through Saudi Arabia.
- Time: about 2–4 days to Sitra, Manama and the rest of Bahrain; a shared load may wait a few days for the truck to fill.
- Commercial papers: commercial invoice, packing list, GCC certificate of origin and the Bahraini consignee’s commercial registration (CR).
- Loading: heavy equipment on wooden skids, strapped, wrapped and numbered.
- Prices start from 90 AED per cubic metre in a shared truck; parcels from 45 AED.
- Cars and pickups on an enclosed carrier start from 4,100 AED.
What do we ship from Sharjah to Bahrain?
Sharjah is an industrial and trading city before it is a residential one, so most loads heading to Bahrain have a commercial character: a restaurant owner fitting out a new branch in Manama, an equipment supplier selling to a client in Sitra, or a workshop sending spare parts to Muharraq. We still handle family moves every day from flats in Al Taawun, Al Nahda and Al Majaz, and cars that owners take with them when they relocate.
Commercial kitchen equipment
Ovens, display and storage fridges, stainless tables, extraction hoods, fryers, dishwashers and coffee machines.
Shop and warehouse stock
Cartons of goods, household items, packaging materials, wholesale clothing and vehicle or machinery spare parts.
Household furniture and personal effects
Bedrooms, majlis seating, appliances and boxed belongings from flats and villas.
Cars and pickups
Sedans, SUVs and pickups on enclosed or open carriers, as you prefer.
Restaurant equipment on skids: how we prepare it for the road
Heavy equipment is never stacked straight onto the truck floor. Each unit, or a group of similar units, goes on a wooden skid, is strapped down and then wrapped in several layers of stretch film with heavy cardboard corner guards. This lets the consignee in Sitra unload with a forklift without anyone handling the stainless surfaces, and it cuts the scratches that usually appear on fridge doors and oven fronts.
- Fridges and cold units: emptied and dried inside, doors held with residue-free tape, and loaded upright, never on their side.
- Fryers: oil drained completely and tanks wiped, because leftover oil seeps out in the heat and ruins what is around it.
- Ovens and gas lines: connections disconnected and capped; filled gas cylinders are not shipped with the cargo.
- Glass display fridges: built into a wooden crate, as exposed glass does not survive the vibration of a long road trip.
- Small parts such as shelves, filters and accessories: packed in numbered cartons labelled with the unit they belong to.
Pickup areas in Sharjah
We collect from anywhere in Sharjah, and you can also drop goods yourself at our Industrial Area 18 branch if it is close or the quantity is small. The most common pickup points on this lane are:
- Industrial Areas 1 to 18 and Al Sajaa Industrial, home to equipment stores and fabrication workshops.
- Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) and Hamriyah Free Zone, with the free-zone exit papers arranged.
- Al Taawun, Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Khan, Al Qasimia and Abu Shagara, the tower and apartment districts.
- Muwaileh, University City, Al Rahmaniya and Al Tay, where the villas and family houses are.
- Kalba and Khor Fakkan on the east coast, by prior arrangement with the team.
If your goods are in Dubai or Ajman, see shipping from Dubai to Bahrain or shipping from Ajman to Bahrain; the same trucks pass through all three emirates on loading day.
The road route from Sharjah to Bahrain
Road freight is the first choice for most commercial cargo to Bahrain, because the truck goes all the way to the warehouse door with no extra handling in ports. The route crosses Saudi Arabia in transit: the load is sealed and declared as passing through, not cleared into the Kingdom. That is why every document must be complete before the truck leaves Sharjah; a gap discovered at the border holds up the whole truck.
- Loading in Sharjah and sealing the load after checking it against the packing list.
- Al Ghuwaifat on the UAE side, then the Saudi Al Batha crossing, where the shipment is registered in transit.
- Through Al Ahsa, then Dammam and Khobar.
- The King Fahd Causeway: about 25 km over the sea, with Saudi and Bahraini customs on its middle island.
- Bahraini clearance handled electronically through the OFOQ system, then delivery to Sitra or any other area.
Our shipments to the Eastern Province use the same road; read more about the Saudi leg in shipping from Sharjah to Saudi Arabia and about the causeway’s starting point in shipping from Sharjah to Dammam.
Transit times from Sharjah to areas of Bahrain
Bahrain is small, so once the truck is over the causeway and customs is done, reaching any area is a matter of hours. The real difference in timing comes from the type of load: a dedicated truck moves on the date you choose, while a shared one may wait to fill. These door-to-door times including clearance are approximate:
| Area in Bahrain | Approx. time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Manama | 2–3 days | Shops and restaurants in the old souqs need an agreed unloading time |
| Muharraq | 2–3 days | Close to the causeway by highway |
| Seef & Juffair | 2–3 days | Loading bays in malls and towers are booked in advance |
| Riffa | 2–4 days | Villas and houses; morning delivery is easier |
| Isa Town & Hamad Town | 2–4 days | Direct delivery to homes and shops |
| Budaiya | 3–4 days | Villages and farms on the north-west coast |
| Amwaj Islands | 3–4 days | Large-truck access follows the community’s rules |
| Sitra industrial area | 2–3 days | Commercial warehouses; a forklift at the consignee is preferred |
Air freight from Sharjah to Bahrain
Air freight from Sharjah, Dubai or Abu Dhabi airport to Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq usually takes 1–2 days including clearance. We use it when something is genuinely urgent: a fridge compressor that failed while the restaurant waits closed, spare parts for a coffee machine, product samples a Bahraini trader wants to see before ordering the full quantity, or opening-day items for a new branch that cannot wait for the truck.
Air is charged on the actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is higher. Volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000. A 60 × 50 × 40 cm carton, for example, has a volumetric weight of 20 kg even if it actually weighs only 8 kg, which is why we suggest cutting empty space inside cartons before flying them.
- Air does not suit furniture or large equipment; the cost climbs fast with size.
- Lithium batteries, liquids and perfumes are restricted on air freight, and we review every shipment before accepting it.
- Pricing depends on weight and destination: send the weight and sizes on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price.
Sea freight for containers and heavy cargo
When the shipment is a full central-kitchen fit-out or several tonnes of stock, sea freight may suit better: a container from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Hidd. The sailing is short, but port handling at both ends and clearance add days, so sea is not faster than road; it is better for very large loads or for importers who prefer to receive a sealed container. We compare both options for you based on volume, weight and delivery point; send the details on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price.
Packing for Bahrain’s humidity
Bahrain’s summer is hot and very humid, and humidity does more harm to cargo than heat: cartons soften, untreated steel parts pick up light rust, and fabrics and foam start to smell. So we pack by type of goods rather than one way for everything:
- Stainless steel and iron: stretch film directly on the surface, then heavy cardboard, with moisture-absorber sachets inside closed units.
- Commercial cartons: at least double-wall, stacked on skids rather than on the floor.
- Household furniture: moving blankets then film; mattresses in sealed bags.
- Electrical appliances: in original boxes where available, otherwise in bubble wrap layers.
- Every skid carries a number that matches the packing list, which shortens inspection time at customs.
Documents needed to ship from Sharjah to Bahrain
Bahrain customs clears shipments electronically through the OFOQ system, and the accuracy of your papers decides whether the truck crosses in hours or waits an extra day. We review the documents with you before loading, because the route runs in transit through Saudi Arabia and cannot be corrected halfway.
Commercial goods and restaurant equipment
- A commercial invoice in the Bahraini consignee’s name, describing each item with its quantity and value.
- A packing list that matches the skid and carton numbers.
- A certificate of origin, and a GCC certificate of origin for goods made in the UAE.
- The consignee’s commercial registration (CR) in Bahrain, since commercial goods are imported in a company’s name.
- Food, medicines and cosmetics have extra health requirements that we review before shipping.
Note: The customs-duty exemption covers goods of GCC origin proven by a GCC certificate of origin. Restaurant equipment made in Italy or China and re-exported from Sharjah does not count as UAE origin and usually pays the general customs duty of around 5%, plus the 10% VAT Bahrain applies to imports. Build this into the cost of fitting out the branch before you ship.
Personal effects and used furniture
- A passport copy.
- Your Bahraini CPR (smart ID card) or Bahrain residence permit.
- A detailed contents list in Arabic or English.
- New items in commercial quantities are treated as goods and are dutiable.
Cars and pickups
- Vehicle registration/ownership in the shipper’s name.
- A UAE export certificate and plate cancellation.
- The owner’s ID.
- The vehicle completely empty of personal belongings and goods.
Shipping cars and pickups from Sharjah to Bahrain
Many restaurant and shop owners move the pickup they rely on for supplies along with their equipment. We carry it on an enclosed carrier that keeps dust and sun off for the whole journey, so it arrives in the condition it was handed over. Before booking, the team checks the model year and specifications against Bahrain’s current conditions for importing used cars, so a vehicle never reaches the causeway only to be turned back. We photograph the car from every side at pickup and send you the photos on WhatsApp.
Enclosed carriers start from 4,100 AED; on an open carrier a sedan starts from 2,000 AED and an SUV from 2,750 AED. Leave nothing in the pickup bed: the vehicle ships empty, and the equipment travels on skids in the cargo truck.
Prohibited and restricted items
- Narcotics of any kind.
- Weapons and ammunition without permits.
- Counterfeit goods and gambling equipment.
- Alcohol and pork products are restricted.
- Drones and some medicines need prior permits.
- Filled gas cylinders and flammable materials are not loaded with general cargo.
Sharjah to Bahrain shipping prices start from
| Shipment type | Price starts from |
|---|---|
| Furniture and goods in a shared truck | 90 AED per cubic metre |
| Small parcels by road | 45 AED |
| Sedan on an open carrier | 2,000 AED |
| SUV on an open carrier | 2,750 AED |
| Car or pickup on an enclosed carrier | 4,100 AED |
| Dedicated truck for restaurant equipment or commercial cargo | Send the details on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price |
| Urgent air freight | Send the details on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price |
| Sea container | Send the details on WhatsApp and we will reply with the price |
The final price depends on volume, weight, the area in Bahrain, packing and complete documents. You can also ask for a price on our quote page.
What raises or lowers the cost of a commercial shipment?
- Volume and weight together: heavy but compact equipment is sometimes charged on weight rather than cubic metres.
- Shared or dedicated: a shared truck costs less but waits to fill; a dedicated one leaves on your date.
- Packing: skids and wooden crates add cost but protect equipment worth far more.
- Pickup and delivery access: loading at ground level is easier than from an upper-floor kitchen with no goods lift.
- Duty and VAT: set by the goods’ origin and paid to Bahrain customs, separate from the freight price.
- Complete papers: missing documents mean waiting at the border, and waiting costs money.
How to ship with us from Sharjah to Bahrain, step by step
- Send photos of the equipment or goods, rough sizes and the delivery area in Bahrain on WhatsApp.
- We agree the load type (shared or dedicated) and send you the price and the list of documents needed.
- You prepare the commercial invoice and packing list, and the Bahraini consignee sends a copy of their CR.
- Our packing team comes to your site in Sharjah, or you bring the goods to the Industrial Area 18 branch.
- Loading, sealing and departure, with WhatsApp updates from us at each stage: the border, the causeway, clearance.
- Delivery to Sitra or the agreed area, with skids unloaded where the consignee wants them.
Delivery in Bahrain: Sitra industrial area and beyond
Sitra sits on the east coast of Bahrain island, and its industrial area holds many warehouses for equipment suppliers, food distributors and general traders, which makes it a natural destination for restaurant equipment coming from Sharjah. Delivering to a warehouse is easier than to central Manama, but it needs a little preparation on the consignee’s side: a forklift or hand pallet jack, and a spot where the truck can stand without blocking the entrance.
We also deliver to Tubli, Salmabad and Hidd near Sitra, and to Manama, Seef, Juffair, Muharraq, Riffa, Isa Town, Hamad Town, Budaiya and Amwaj Islands. Large trucks may face time windows on the causeway and inside Manama, so the team agrees the delivery time with the consignee in advance, especially when the restaurant sits in a busy market.
- The Saudi leg: sealed transit; the load is only opened if customs asks for it.
- The causeway: both countries’ customs are on the middle island, and the Bahraini inspection happens there or after crossing depending on the goods.
- Road or sea: road for anything up to a full truck and fast delivery to the warehouse; sea for containers and very heavy loads through Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
For the full picture of shipping from every emirate to Bahrain, see the UAE to Bahrain shipping guide, and if you also run a branch in Qatar there is shipping from Sharjah to Qatar.
Tips before shipping your restaurant equipment
Photograph the rating plate fixed on every unit (model, serial number and country of manufacture) and send it with the invoice. Those photos answer most customs questions before they are asked, and they prove the origin that decides the duty.
- Ask your supplier for an itemised invoice per unit, not one total line that just says “kitchen equipment”.
- Check that the voltage and frequency of electrical units match the wiring at the restaurant site in Bahrain.
- Do not mix personal belongings and commercial goods on one invoice.
- Ask the team about optional insurance for high-value equipment.
- Arrange unloading labour with the consignee; the truck cannot wait long at a warehouse that is not ready.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a shipment from Sharjah to Bahrain take?
About 2–4 days door to door including clearance by road. A dedicated truck leaves on the agreed date, while a shared one may wait a few days to fill.
Do I need a Bahraini commercial registration to ship restaurant equipment?
Yes. Commercial goods and new restaurant equipment are imported in the name of a Bahraini business with a commercial registration (CR), and the commercial invoice is issued to it. Used personal effects follow different papers, including a passport and CPR or residence permit.
Does restaurant equipment pay customs duty in Bahrain?
It depends on origin. Goods of GCC origin with a GCC certificate of origin are exempt; others usually pay a general duty of around 5%, plus 10% VAT on imports.
Does the shipment go through Saudi customs?
Only in transit: the load is sealed and registered as passing through, with no clearance into the Kingdom, and Bahraini clearance takes place on the middle island of the King Fahd Causeway.
How will I know where my shipment is on the road?
The team sends you WhatsApp updates at each stage: loading, the border crossing, arrival at the causeway, clearance completed and then the delivery time.
Can the pickup travel with the equipment on the same trip?
The vehicle goes on a separate enclosed car carrier, and we time both so they arrive at roughly the same moment. Enclosed carriers start from 4,100 AED.
Is air freight suitable for kitchen equipment?
Only for small urgent pieces such as a compressor, a spare part or a sample. Large equipment is very expensive by air, and the truck arrives within a few days.
Do you collect from Sharjah’s free zones?
Yes. We collect from SAIF Zone and Hamriyah Free Zone and arrange the free-zone exit papers before loading.
Put your commercial shipment file together now
Photos of the equipment, sizes and the delivery point in Bahrain are enough to start. We take orders on WhatsApp around the clock.
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