ID and Cash Limits for Buying Silver in Bahrain
Shops licensed to trade gold and jewellery in Bahrain may not accept cash for a deal of BD 3,000 or more, and that includes the silver jewellery they sell. Ministry guidance says the shop should take a copy of your CPR or passport whatever the amount, and Decision No. 105 of 2025 requires it for cash purchases over BD 2,000. The rules name gold and jewellery; whether they cover silver bars or coins isn't stated.
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 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) applies to anyone licensed to sell or trade gold and jewellery. It prohibits cash for any single 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.
- Silver jewellery sold by these shops falls under the rules. The guide and the decision don't mention silver bullion or silver-only dealers.
- 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 and jewellery 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 deals generally; we couldn't confirm how it applies when the shop is paying you.
Gold and travel
- The same cash cap and ID rules apply to gold.
- Large amounts of cash and gold must be declared to customs; check the current threshold, and whether silver counts, before travelling.
Silver ID and Cash Limits in Bahrain: FAQ
How much cash can I pay for silver jewellery in Bahrain?
Less than BD 3,000 per deal at a licensed gold and jewellery shop. Deals of BD 3,000 or more can't be paid in cash.
Do I need my CPR to buy silver in Bahrain?
At a licensed jewellery shop, ministry guidance says a CPR, passport or GCC ID is copied for every sale, and Decision 105 of 2025 requires it for cash purchases over BD 2,000.
Do the rules cover silver bars and coins?
Not clearly. The rules apply to shops licensed to trade gold and jewellery; they don't mention silver bullion or silver-only dealers.
Sources (4)
General information for individuals buying or selling silver, 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.