Khalifa Bin Salman Port shipping covers almost all of Bahrain's sea trade: containers, general cargo, Ro-Ro, breakbulk projects and dangerous goods. The port is in Hidd, is run by APM Terminals Bahrain, and clears cargo through Bahrain Customs Affairs on the OFOQ system. This guide covers the terminal, its gate and cargo rules, customs, and how to ship to the port from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to KBSP, and from KBSP to Dubai.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common names | Khalifa Bin Salman Port, KBSP, Port of Bahrain |
| Location | Hidd, Salman Industrial City, Bahrain |
| Opened for business | 1 April 2009 |
| Operator | APM Terminals Bahrain B.S.C., concession since 2009 |
| Regulator | Ports and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications |
| Customs | Customs Affairs, Ministry of Interior (OFOQ system) |
| Site | 110 ha of reclaimed land; terminal area 900,000 m² |
| Quay | 1,800 m |
| Maximum depth alongside | 15 m |
| Maximum vessel | 360 m length; 14,000 TEU |
| Container capacity | 1 million TEU a year initially, potential 3 million TEU |
| Cranes | 4 post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes, 12 rubber tyre gantries |
| Reefer plugs | 840 |
| Warehousing | 63,500 m² |
| Links | 13 km to Bahrain International Airport; 25 km drive to the King Fahd Causeway |
| Certifications | ISPS, ISO 9001:2015 |
| Shipping KBSP to Dubai | Export declaration in OFOQ by the shipper or its agent; import declaration with Dubai Customs, 5% duty on non-GCC goods and 5% VAT |
What is Khalifa Bin Salman Port and who runs it?
APM Terminals describes KBSP as Bahrain's only general commercial port. It opened in April 2009 and replaced the older Mina Salman port for commercial cargo. If an older document or a supplier names Mina Salman as the discharge port, check the booking: container cargo for Bahrain now discharges at KBSP.
The port sits in Hidd, on the northeast side of Bahrain, in Salman Industrial City. The Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications calls it a transshipment hub for the northern Gulf with direct overland links to Saudi Arabia.
APM Terminals Bahrain is listed on the Bahrain Bourse. APM Terminals B.V., part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, holds 64% and Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Holdings holds 16%. The concession gives it exclusive management and operation of the port.
Terminal facilities and cargo handled
KBSP is one multipurpose terminal on one quay. The ministry describes a 900 m container section served by four 61 m post-Panamax cranes, plus general cargo, Ro-Ro and passenger facilities along the same 1,800 m quay.
| Cargo type | How it is handled at KBSP | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Dry containers (FCL) | Container berths with post-Panamax cranes and RTG yard | Gate appointment, free time, customs release |
| LCL | Unpacked in the terminal shed before release | Delivery order and payment by 15:30 the day before collection |
| Reefer containers | 840 plugs; fast lane for full export reefers | Set temperature, customs-stamped exit note for export |
| General cargo and breakbulk projects | General cargo quay and warehousing | Lift plan, escort for loads over 5 m high |
| Vehicles and Ro-Ro | Ro-Ro facilities on the multipurpose quay | Vehicle documents; unpacking cars from containers is charged extra |
| Dangerous goods | All classes, subject to compliance | 72-hour notice, approvals for Class 1 and 7 |
APM Terminals reported berth productivity of 75 moves per hour and crane productivity of 37 moves per hour in 2021. It also runs a sea-to-air link to Bahrain International Airport with a two-hour bonded lead time.
Gate hours, truck rules and collection limits
Most delays at KBSP come from the landside, not the vessel. These are the operator's published rules.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Terminal operations | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Truck gate | Saturday to Thursday 04:00 to 22:00; Friday 08:00 to 16:00 |
| Appointment office | Saturday to Thursday 07:00 to 15:30 |
| Bulk import delivery | Minimum 5 containers, 18:00 to 21:00, B/L details before vessel arrival |
| Truck ID | Registration (BAT) number on A4 paper on dashboard and cab roof; RFID tag mandatory |
| Twist-locks | Opened and closed only at the pinning stations; 10 km/h speed limit |
| Unpacked FCL cargo | Collect within 3 hours of unpacking and customs clearance, or delay charges apply |
| Empty containers | All pass through a customs scanner in a separate lane |
| Tall loads | Over 5 m high: notify the traffic department for an escort |
The practical rule: have the truck booked and the release paid before the cargo is unpacked or the container is discharged. Waiting for paperwork after arrival is what builds storage and demurrage. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how those charges add up.
Trucks arriving from Saudi Arabia
Because KBSP is a 25 km drive from the King Fahd Causeway, some containers reach it by road. In April 2026 APM Terminals published a procedure for GCC-registered trucks arriving over the causeway: they may gate in full import containers and empties, and gate out full export containers. The customs declaration is an IM8 transfer authorisation, there are no added customs steps at the causeway, and clearance is completed at KBSP. Only the local Bahrain agent of the container operator can request the slot, at least three hours before arrival. Saudi trucks delivering export reefers must also register with APM Terminals, carry RFID tags and use twist-locks, not chains.
Dangerous goods at Khalifa Bin Salman Port
KBSP accepts all hazardous cargo classes, subject to compliance, and the terminal does not add its own planning approval. The cost and timing rules are what catch shippers out.
| Rule | Applies to | Timing or cost |
|---|---|---|
| MSDS and cargo manifest to the terminal | All hazardous containers: import, export and transshipment | At least 72 hours before vessel arrival |
| Government approvals shared with planning | Class 1 and Class 7 | At least 72 hours before vessel arrival or export gate-in |
| Handling surcharge of 100% | Class 1, Class 5.2, Class 6.1 and 6.2, Class 7 | Added to standard handling |
| Storage | Hazardous containers | BHD 88 per container per day, no free days |
With no free storage, the customs declaration should be filed and the truck booked before the vessel berths. On the Dubai side, we check the UN number, class, packing group, packaging and labels, and get carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing. See our dangerous goods shipping service.
Breakbulk and project cargo through KBSP
APM Terminals lists breakbulk projects and general cargo among its services, and the terminal has 63,500 m² of warehousing. Steel, plant and machinery for Bahrain's industrial areas are typical.
A piece that fits a flat rack or open top travels on a container service with more frequent sailings. Our guide to flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo explains the limits. Anything larger needs a general cargo or heavy-lift vessel, and the sailing date then drives the plan. Any load over 5 m high leaving KBSP needs a traffic escort, so book it with the delivery. Our break bulk and project cargo team plans the lift, lashing and port handover.
Customs clearance at Khalifa Bin Salman Port
Bahrain Customs Affairs, part of the Ministry of Interior, clears cargo at KBSP. Declarations go through OFOQ: the applicant files the declaration, attaches documents and pays fees online. Bahrain applies the GCC Unified Customs Law and the GCC guide for procedures at first points of entry.
Documents for a sea import
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original commercial invoice | Shipper | Customs may ask for an Arabic translation |
| Original certificate of origin | Shipper or chamber of commerce | Needed to claim GCC-origin treatment |
| Packing list | Shipper | HS codes, plus UN numbers for chemicals and DG |
| Bill of lading | Carrier | Matches invoice and packing list |
| Delivery order | Carrier's agent in Bahrain | Issued after local charges are paid |
| Permits or conformity proof | Consignee | For medicines, food, tobacco and regulated products |
The OFOQ fee is BD 3 for a declaration filed before the goods arrive, plus BD 5 statement fees. The importer, its representative or an authorised customs broker files, and the importer needs a customs code. After clearance, the consignee collects the cargo release from the terminal on payment of handling and any storage charges.
Duty and VAT
Most goods from outside the GCC pay 5% duty in Bahrain, alcohol 125% and tobacco 100%. Goods of GCC origin are exempt under the GCC Customs Union, and foreign goods that already paid duty at another GCC first point of entry are not charged again if you show proof. VAT is 10%, the standard rate since 1 January 2022. Your clearing agent confirms the treatment for each HS code.
Shipping from Dubai to Khalifa Bin Salman Port step by step
Most of our Bahrain sea cargo loads at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. This is how we move it to KBSP.
- Cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume, pickup address in the UAE and the consignee in Bahrain.
- Bahrain checks. We confirm with the consignee or its clearing agent whether the goods need a permit or conformity proof, and who files in OFOQ.
- Booking. We book FCL, LCL or breakbulk space on a service calling KBSP. DG, reefer and out-of-gauge cargo get carrier acceptance first.
- Pickup and stuffing. We arrange the empty container, stuffing, lashing and seal in the UAE.
- UAE export. We file the export or re-export declaration and deliver to the terminal before the cut-off.
- Documents. Final invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading go to the consignee before arrival, so the OFOQ declaration is filed early.
- DG notice. For hazardous cargo, the MSDS and manifest reach KBSP 72 hours before the vessel.
- Release and delivery. The clearing agent clears the cargo, the release is paid and the consignee's truck collects on an appointment.
Our sea freight service covers the booking and documents at the Dubai end.
[AMIR-FACT: one real shipment Anil Darya moved into Khalifa Bin Salman Port, with cargo type, carrier or service used and actual port-to-port time from Jebel Ali]
How to ship from Khalifa Bin Salman Port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Bahrain to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Bahrain export papers stay with the shipper or its Bahrain agent.
The Bahrain export side
- Customs declaration. Bahrain Customs Affairs clears cargo through OFOQ. The applicant files the declaration, attaches the bill of lading and invoices, plus a certificate of origin or other documents if required, and pays the fees online.
- Certificate of origin for Bahraini goods. Customs Affairs issues certificates of origin for national goods: natural resources, crops, livestock and industrial products. The fee is 10 BD, it takes one working day, and the documents are matched against the certificate at the port.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the full box to KBSP inside the gate hours and before the carrier's cut-off. Saudi trucks bringing export reefers must be registered with APM Terminals.
The UAE import side
We file the import declaration with Dubai Customs before the vessel arrives. Dubai Customs asks for the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and a permit from the relevant authority for restricted goods, and the carrier releases the cargo against the bill of lading. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%. A VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return under the reverse charge; anyone else pays it before the goods are released.
Bahraini-made goods are a different case. Under the GCC Customs Union, goods produced in any member state are treated as national goods in all member states, so they do not pay the 5% duty when the certificate of origin proves where they were made. The UAE government portal, in its section on Sharjah customs, gives the test as at least 40% of the raw materials coming from the GCC. Foreign goods that already paid duty at their first GCC point of entry are not charged again if the payment is proven. Neither rule removes the 5% import VAT.
- Send us the shipper's details in Bahrain, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Bahrain and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker stuffs the container and delivers it to KBSP.
- The shipper or its Bahrain agent files the export declaration in OFOQ.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.
- We file the UAE declaration with Dubai Customs before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the carrier.
- We truck the container to your site and return the empty to the depot the line names within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Khalifa Bin Salman Port to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Checklist before you ship to KBSP
- Discharge port on the booking is Khalifa Bin Salman Port, not Mina Salman.
- HS code confirmed for every line.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match on weights, pieces and consignee.
- Original certificate of origin ready, especially for UAE-made goods.
- Consignee has a customs code or a clearing agent ready in OFOQ.
- Permits or conformity proof applied for before sailing.
- DG: MSDS and manifest to the terminal 72 hours ahead; Class 1 and 7 approvals.
- Truck has an RFID tag and is booked for collection on arrival.
- Escort booked for loads over 5 m high.
- Free time agreed with the carrier.
Common mistakes at Khalifa Bin Salman Port
- Leaving unpacked cargo in the shed. The 3-hour collection window is short.
- Late DG paperwork. Without the 72-hour notice, the container can be held, and storage runs from day one.
- Filing the declaration after arrival. It costs more and leaves the box waiting.
- Trucks without RFID or the BAT number shown. The gate turns them away.
- Assuming GCC goods need no paperwork. Without a certificate of origin, duty can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates the port at Khalifa Bin Salman?
APM Terminals Bahrain operates the port under a concession that started in 2009. APM Terminals B.V., part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, is the majority shareholder.
Where is Khalifa Bin Salman Port located?
It is in Hidd, in Salman Industrial City on the northeast side of Bahrain. It is 13 km from Bahrain International Airport and a 25 km drive from the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia.
Is Khalifa Bin Salman Port the same as Mina Salman?
No. Khalifa Bin Salman Port opened in 2009 and replaced the older Mina Salman port as Bahrain's commercial port.
How deep is the water at Khalifa Bin Salman Port?
APM Terminals gives a maximum quayside depth of 15 m, with vessels up to 360 m long and 14,000 TEU.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Khalifa Bin Salman Port?
Yes. All hazardous classes are handled, but the MSDS and manifest must reach the terminal 72 hours before arrival, Class 1 and 7 need government approval, and hazardous storage has no free days.
What documents are needed to clear cargo at KBSP?
An original invoice, original certificate of origin, packing list with HS codes, bill of lading and delivery order, plus permits for restricted goods. The declaration is filed in OFOQ.
What are the gate hours at KBSP?
The terminal works around the clock. The truck gate opens 04:00 to 22:00 Saturday to Thursday and 08:00 to 16:00 on Friday.
Can trucks from Saudi Arabia deliver containers to KBSP?
Yes. GCC-registered trucks can bring containers over the King Fahd Causeway under an IM8 transfer authorisation, with the slot requested by the container operator's local agent at least three hours ahead.
How do I ship from Dubai to Khalifa Bin Salman Port?
We book FCL, LCL or breakbulk space from Jebel Ali on a service calling KBSP, file the UAE export or re-export declaration and send the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading to the consignee before arrival. The consignee's clearing agent files in OFOQ and collects the cargo on an appointment.
Can you ship from Bahrain to Dubai?
Yes. The shipper or its Bahrain agent files the declaration in OFOQ and delivers the box to KBSP. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration, arrange payment of the duty and VAT, and deliver from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah. Bahraini-made goods with a certificate of origin do not pay the 5% duty, but import VAT of 5% still applies.
Get a quote for Khalifa Bin Salman Port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and price from the UAE to KBSP. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, breakbulk or project shipment. You can also read about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- APM Terminals Bahrain: Our terminal (facilities, capacity, ownership, concession)
- APM Terminals Bahrain: Location (airport, causeway, sea-to-air)
- APM Terminals Bahrain: General information (hours, trucks, hazardous cargo, LCL, empties)
- APM Terminals Bahrain: Cargo-related tariff changes (October 2024)
- APM Terminals Bahrain: Procedure for GCC-based trucks at KBSP (April 2026)
- Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain: Khalifa Bin Salman Port
- Bahrain.bh: Pay the customs declaration (OFOQ, documents, fees)
- Bahrain.bh: Value Added Tax in the Kingdom of Bahrain
- GCC Secretariat General: Unified Guide for Customs Procedures at First Points of Entry
- US International Trade Administration: Bahrain import tariffs
- Wikipedia: Khalifa Bin Salman Port (Mina Salman replacement)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF in Dubai, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%; GCC-origin goods and the 40% test)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT Taxable Person Guide, chapter 9 Import of goods (5% rate, reverse charge, payment before release)
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security: Customs Union for GCC States (national goods, duty paid at first point of entry)
- Bahrain government portal: Certificate of origin for exported national goods (10 BD, one working day)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026