Bahrain applies a 10% VAT to gold jewellery — including the making charge — one of the higher rates in the Gulf, while Manama's historic Gold Souq draws buyers with both Khaleeji 21K and South Asian-favoured 22K pieces side by side. Here's how VAT, karat, and the dinar's dollar peg shape what you pay.
Gold price today in Bahrain: BHD 129.48 per gram (24K), updated 08:31 UTC. Indicative price, not an offer to buy or sell.
Enter a weight to calculate
Total: 0.000000 BHD
| Unit | Grams | Price (BHD) |
|---|---|---|
| Common | ||
| Troy OunceUS, GB, CA, AU, DE, CH | 31.1035 | BHD 4,027.40 |
| GramSA, AE, EG, TR, DE, FR, ES, IT | 1 | BHD 129.48 |
| KilogramDE, CH, IN | 1,000 | BHD 129,483.80 |
| TolaIN, PK, BD, NP | 11.6638 | BHD 1,510.27 |
| Asian Units | ||
| BahtTH | 15.244 | BHD 1,973.85 |
| Tael (HK)HK, MO | 37.429 | BHD 4,846.45 |
| Tael (Japan)JP | 37.5 | BHD 4,855.64 |
| Vori / BoriBD | 11.6638 | BHD 1,510.27 |
| MashaIN, PK | 0.972 | BHD 125.86 |
| Small Units | ||
| Carat (metric) | 0.2 | BHD 25.90 |
| GrainUS, GB | 0.0648 | BHD 8.39 |
| RattiIN, PK | 0.1215 | BHD 15.73 |
| Karat | Purity | Price / gram (BHD) |
|---|---|---|
24K | 99.9% | BHD 129.35 |
22K | 91.7% | BHD 118.70 |
21K | 87.5% | BHD 113.30 |
18K | 75.0% | BHD 97.11 |
14K | 58.3% | BHD 75.49 |
10K | 41.7% | BHD 53.99 |
Bahrain introduced VAT on 1 January 2019 at 5%, then raised the standard rate to 10% from 1 January 2022. Gold and silver jewellery purchases fall under this standard rate, and the National Bureau for Revenue's guidance treats both the value of the gold and the making/workmanship charge as taxable. We could not independently confirm whether Bahrain grants a separate zero-rating for investment-grade bullion bars and coins the way Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman do — if you're buying investment-grade gold specifically, confirm the VAT treatment with the seller before purchase.
Bahrain's Gold Souq, centred around the Bab Al Bahrain area of Manama, carries 18K, 21K, and 22K gold side by side. 21-karat remains the standard preference among Bahrain's Arab shoppers, but 22K has a strong, established following too — driven in part by Bahrain's sizeable Indian expatriate community, with several long-established Indian-run jewellers specialising in 22K pieces. As elsewhere in the Gulf, check the hallmark stamped on a piece (750 for 18K, 875 for 21K, 916 for 22K) rather than assume.
The Bahraini Dinar has been pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 0.376 BHD per USD, formalised by decree in 2001 after an earlier transition away from a sterling peg in 1980 — one BHD is worth roughly 2.66 USD at that fixed rate. Because international gold trades in US dollars, this peg means BHD gold prices move in close step with the global spot price, with day-to-day swings driven almost entirely by the world gold market rather than BHD/USD currency fluctuation.
Manama's Gold Souq, just off the historic Bab Al Bahrain gateway, is Bahrain's principal gold market — a dense cluster of shops selling everything from everyday-wear 18K and 21K pieces to 22K bridal sets and 24K investment bars and coins. Making charges are the main negotiable part of the price here, and bargaining is an established part of the shopping culture. The souq's proximity to Manama's wider commercial district and its long-standing reputation for competitive pricing also draw buyers from elsewhere in the Gulf.
How much VAT is charged on gold in Bahrain?
Bahrain applies its standard 10% VAT rate (raised from 5% in January 2022) to gold and silver jewellery, including the making charge. We could not confirm whether Bahrain offers a separate VAT zero-rating for investment-grade bullion the way some neighbouring markets do — confirm with the seller if buying investment gold.
Is 21K or 22K more popular in Bahrain?
Both are widely available in Manama's Gold Souq. 21K is the standard preference among Bahrain's Arab shoppers, while 22K has a strong following too, driven partly by Bahrain's Indian expatriate community.
Is Bahrain's gold price affected by BHD exchange-rate swings?
Very little. The Bahraini Dinar has been pegged to the US dollar at a fixed 0.376 BHD per USD since 2001, so BHD gold prices track the international dollar spot price closely.
Sources: Central Bank of Bahrain monetary policy (BHD/USD peg); Bahrain National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) VAT guidance; Bahrain government VAT rate-change announcements (2019, 2022); local gold-souq retail reporting on karat availability in Manama. Last reviewed 2026-07-13.