ID and Cash Limits for Buying Gold in Bahrain
Gold and jewellery shops in Bahrain may not accept cash for a deal of BD 3,000 or more; larger deals must be paid by non-cash means. Ministry guidance says the shop should take a copy of your CPR or passport whatever the amount, and Decision No. 105 of 2025 specifically requires it for cash purchases over BD 2,000.
Facts checked 31 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| Situation | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | Copy of photo ID (CPR, passport or GCC ID) for every sale, per ministry guidance. | Decision 105 of 2025: ID copy for cash purchases over BD 2,000. |
| Paying cash | Cash banned for deals of BD 3,000 or more. | Splitting invoices to allow cash is a fineable violation. |
| Selling | Same ID and records rules apply to licensed gold traders. | Each sale needs a receipt with the client's details, value, items and date. |
| Reported | Suspicious transactions, at any amount, via the Sijilat portal. | Split cash payments must themselves be reported. |
The rules in detail
- The Ministry of Industry and Commerce's AML guide for the jewellery sector (under Ministerial Order 103 of 2021) sets the cash transaction limit at BD 3,000 and tells dealers to take customer details and a copy of a photo ID (passport or CPR) regardless of the value.
- Decision No. 105 of 2025 (reported November 2025) prohibits cash for any single gold or jewellery deal of BD 3,000 or more, requires a copy of the customer's ID for any cash purchase over BD 2,000, a receipt for every sale with the client's details, and records kept for at least 5 years.
- Dealers must report every suspicious transaction through the Sijilat portal, including cash payments that seem split to avoid the rules.
- A ministerial decision reported in October 2026 lists 23 AML violations for gold shops, including weak customer checks and splitting invoices to allow cash payments, with fines of up to BD 50,000.
When you sell
- Bring your CPR or passport; licensed traders must identify customers and keep records for 5 years.
- The BD 3,000 cash cap covers gold and jewellery deals generally; we couldn't confirm how it applies when the shop is paying you.
Silver and travel
- The rules cover gold, jewellery and precious metals, so silver jewellery is treated the same.
- Large amounts of cash and gold must be declared to customs; check the current threshold before travelling.
Gold ID and Cash Limits in Bahrain: FAQ
How much cash can I pay for gold in Bahrain?
Less than BD 3,000 per deal. Gold and jewellery deals of BD 3,000 or more can't be paid in cash.
Do I need my CPR to buy gold in Bahrain?
Ministry guidance tells shops to copy a CPR, passport or GCC ID for every sale, and Decision 105 of 2025 requires it for cash purchases over BD 2,000.
Can I split a payment to pay cash?
No. Splitting invoices to allow cash payments is a listed violation, and dealers must report split cash payments as suspicious.
Sources (4)
General information for individuals buying or selling gold, checked October 2026. Rules change and dealers may ask for more than the legal minimum; check with the dealer or the regulator. Not legal advice.