Customs regulations and required documents
Personal effects import regulations
Brunei
Customs regulations
Brunei’s customs legislation was amended to harmonize its tariff nomenclature, make customs-related information more readily available to traders and the public, align its laws with WTO agreements and intellectual property protections, and streamline appeals procedures. All imports into Brunei must be accompanied by:
- A bill of lading/delivery order or airway bill;
- Packing list;
- Commercial invoice;
- Three copies of the customs declaration form, which include the number of individual packages;
- Detailed description of the goods being imported;
- Gross and net weights or quantities of packages;
- Value (both ‘free on board’ and ‘cost, insurance and freight’);
- Place of shipment and destination;
- Country of origin.
The import of all goods into Brunei is monitored by the Royal Customs and Excise Department. Importers must register with the port of entry. Determination of duty classification is based on Excise Duty Orders 2012 and 2007. Import permits are required for some products. Licenses for import are available from the relevant government agencies. Non-prohibited goods can be imported under an open general license.
Completed customs declaration forms must be submitted via the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window website with supporting documentation such as invoices, freight and insurance slips, airway bills, and packing lists.
Additional documentation that may be required includes certificates of origin and analysis, approval permits, import licenses, and other documentation as deemed necessary by the Customs and Excise Department.
Click here to view : Import requirements and documentation
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Residence visa
- Detailed, valued inventory
- Letter of employment
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB)
- Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
Specific Information
- Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free.
- Shipment is subject to the payment of Customs duties if new items are found.
- Fumigation is not required for shipments into Brunei Darussalam.
Local laws reflect the fact that Brunei is an Islamic country. You should dress modestly and respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, or if you intend to visit religious buildings.
His Majesty The Sultan and other members of the Bruneian Royal Family are highly revered and public criticism of them would cause great offence.
There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK. If you’re planning to visit or live in Brunei, you’re strongly advised to familiarise yourself with local laws and customs.
In 2014, Brunei began the introduction of a Sharia Penal Code, to run in parallel with the Common Law. The final phase was introduced on 3 April 2019. It specifies severe punishments for certain crimes, including some that are not illegal in the UK.
Most laws under Common Law and the Sharia Penal Code apply to all people in Brunei, regardless of nationality or religion.
Adultery and close proximity in private between an unmarried man and woman is illegal if one party is a Muslim.
Possession of pornographic material is illegal.
Homosexual activity is illegal. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
It is an offence to criticise Islam, and for any person to consume food, drink or tobacco in public during the fasting hours of the holy month of Ramadan. For information on travelling during Ramadan, see Travelling during Ramadan.
There are severe penalties for drug offences in Brunei including, in some cases, the death penalty. Other crimes may attract caning and lengthy prison sentences.
The sale of alcohol and tobacco in Brunei is prohibited. Non-Muslims over 17 years of age may import a limited amount of alcohol, but must declare it to the customs authorities on arrival, and must consume it in private. A list of other prohibited and restricted items is available on the Royal Customs and Excise Department’s website.
Smoking is prohibited in certain public places, including shopping and eating areas, bus stops and stations, car parks and near buildings.
Places of business and offices including shops and restaurants shut between 12 noon and 2pm every Friday.
Dutiable Items
Brunei generally has very low tariffs. The Customs Import and Excise Duty Amendment Order 2017 was created with the aim of facilitating trade, attracting FDI, and fulfilling commitments under existing Free Trade Agreements. Import and excise duties on industrial machinery and spare parts for heavy vehicles and heavy machinery were reduced. Taxes were placed upon foodstuffs with high sugar content. There was also an increase in excise duties for plastic products. Tax rates on luxury items such as mobile phones, leather products, and video games were also increased by 5%.
Click here to view : Import requirements and documentation
- Firearms and explosives being imported into the country will need permission from the Royal Brunei Police force.
- Plants, fruits and vegetables will require a special permit from the Agriculture Department before being granted entry into the country.
- All cats, dogs and other animals being imported will need a special import licence from the Agriculture Department and a veterinarian health certificate clearing the creatures of any infectious diseases. An additional rabies inoculation certificate issued less than 60 days prior to arrival will also be required.
- 180 days quarantine is applicable to all cats and dogs imported from countries other than Australia, Ireland (Rep. of), New Zealand, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
- All travellers over two years of age will be required to pay an additional 12BND Passenger Service Tax when leaving the country. Travellers returning to Indonesia, Malaysia or other Philippines East Asia countries will only need to pay a 5BND charge.
Prohibited Items
- Guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Fire crackers
- Cigarettes without health warnings written on the packages
- Domestic pigs exported from Thailand
- Plant and plant products – unless authorised
- Meat and meat products –unless authorised
- Pets and other animals – unless authorised
- Radioactive and hazardous materials
- Pin schedule, fruit machines, slot machines and any other schedule or machines of a like nature whether involving an element of change or not.
- Counterfeit money and coins
- Pornographic material
Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)
Food Import Requirements
The Department of Health Services under the Ministry of Health ensures food imported and distributed in Brunei is safe for human consumption. Food importers are required to comply with the Public Health (Food) Act (Chapter 182) and Public Health (Food) Regulations 2000. Food importers are required to comply with the provisions of food legislation and import requirements. Importers are required to submit customs declaration forms along with the relevant export health certificates from the countries of origin.
Other requirements include provision of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificates, samples of all items to be imported to Brunei, lists of all ingredients and additives used, and other valid documentation or certification as determined by the Ministry of Health. Imported food products are mainly halal, for the consumption of the majority Muslim population. Halal food cannot contain alcohol or derivatives from non-halal animal products.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Approval letter from Brunei Land Transport Department
- Approval from Brunei Customs
- Invoice
- Copy of owner of the goods’ passport
Specific Information
- Only Bruneian / permanent residents that are working / studying abroad are allowed to import used vehicles into Brunei.
- The vehicle must be under the owner of the goods’ name for at least 12 months.
- The vehicle must not exceed 5 years old at time of importation.
- The owner of the goods must be in Brunei at time of importation.
- Owner of the goods must notify the Brunei Customs and seek approval for duty exemption before importation.
- Once approval is obtained, the owner of the goods must have an approval permit issued by Customs before time of importation.
- Duty exemption will only be given once.
- After the importation of the vehicle, the owner of the goods is not allowed to change the ownership within four years from the date of approval given.
- Only diplomats are exempted from this regulation prior to approvals from their local embassies.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination record
- Veterinary health certificate
- Import permit issued by Brunei Agriculture Department
- Export permit issued by origin country
- Invoice (for Customs purposes only)
Specific Information
- All pets are subject to quarantine.
- The length of time varies and depends on the country from which the animal is imported.
- All pets are subject to approval for import from the Brunei Agriculture Department
- The import permit and documents required must be obtained prior to import.
Currency
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Brunei Dollar-BND): no restrictions.
Foreign currencies:
- Banknotes of Singapore: up to the equivalent of BND 1,000.- no restrictions between Brunei Darussalam/Singapore on direct import/export of currency.
- Banknotes of India: Prohibited;
- Other foreign currencies: no restrictions.
Arms and Ammunition regulations:
Import and export of firearms must be supported by a permit. An import permit should be obtained from the country of destination and an export permit from the country of departure.
Passengers must inform their carrier office of their intention to transport the weapon at the time of reservation, and details of the weapon must be provided at least 2 weeks prior to departure.
These requirements apply also to weapons transiting Brunei Darussalam.
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Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the airport of Brunei Darussalam.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Brunei Darussalam, if the passengers do not leave the transit area and the onward flight is within 24 hours.
Entry to Brunei
Entry to Brunei is severely restricted. Anyone seeking to enter or exit Brunei must apply for a permit from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Brunei has announced that travellers to Brunei will need to provide a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test on arrival, obtained within 72 hours of travel. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
Brunei continues to enforce an exit travel ban, including for permanent residents, and expatriate workers (green identity card holders), and their dependants. Exceptions will be considered by the Prime Minister’s Office on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must apply online, giving 3 working days’ notice of the intention to travel. Full details are available on the Prime Minister’s Office website.
From 1 October 2020, all travellers entering or leaving Brunei via a land border will need to pay $3 BND per person on exit and $3 BND on return or entry.
Quarantine requirements
If the government of Brunei permits you entry, you will need to go into quarantine on arrival at a government designated facility (usually a local hotel). Travellers are responsible for booking directly with hoteliers and must secure your accommodation before arrival. Currently quarantine is between 2 and 14 days. Travellers will be informed of the duration of quarantine on arrival and will need to cover the cost of their stay in their designated quarantine facility.
Testing/screening on arrival
Brunei has announced that travellers to Brunei will need to provide a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test on arrival, obtained within 72 hours of travel.
All foreigners must pay $350 BND for a COVID-19 test before they depart on their journey to Brunei. Travellers should carry proof of payment with them when checking in for their flight to Brunei.
You should ensure that you have the means to pay for your hotel in Brunei for the duration of your quarantine period.
Immigration Control Posts at Brunei’s land borders are operating shortened hours from 6am and last call at 4pm. There are health and temperature screening measures at borders. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities.
Data collection
On arrival in Brunei, you will be encouraged to download the BruHealth app. Failure to use the app may result in you not being able to access a number of day-to-day facilities.
Regular entry requirements
Visas
British Citizen passport holders may enter Brunei for up to 90 days without a visa. If you have another type of British nationality, check with Brunei immigration authorities about visa requirements.
Make sure the entry stamp in your passport indicates the validity of your stay. There are strict penalties for overstaying.
If you’re staying longer than 90 days and/or visiting for non-tourist purposes, you will need to get a visa from the nearest Brunei diplomatic mission before you travel.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brunei.
Dual nationality
Brunei does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you’re found to be holding two passports of different nationality. If you’re a dual national, it’s advisable to enter Brunei on the passport on which you exited your last country of departure. While in Brunei your nationality will be deemed to be that shown on the passport which you used to enter the country. This may affect the consular assistance that you receive in Brunei.
Yellow fever certificate requirements
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency travel documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Brunei. They should have at least 6 months validity. You’ll have to obtain an exit and entry visa from Brunei Immigration before you travel.
Crime
Crime levels are low, but there are occasional incidents of petty crime against tourists as well as house burglaries. Take particular care of your passport, avoid carrying valuables with you and do not leave possessions in unattended vehicles, even if out of sight in a locked boot.
Road travel
Drivers of vehicles not registered in Brunei can only buy motor fuel at 14 designated filling stations throughout the country, to a maximum of 250 litres. Filling a foreign car is more expensive as the filling station will only sell the premium “V-Power” fuel to a foreign car.
You can drive in Brunei with a valid UK driving licence for up to 3 months.
Driving standards differ from the UK. Traffic will not always stop at red lights or pedestrian crossings. Speeding and non use of seatbelts is common. Road conditions are generally good but you should take extra care while driving through heavy rain as road surfaces are uneven.
If you’re involved in a road accident as a driver, you should not leave the scene or move the vehicle until the police have attended.
Trekking
Police advise individuals against hiking alone in the forest, including at well-known recreation areas. It’s easy to get lost when visiting the rainforest. Use recognised and well-known guides, and stay on the footpaths.
Political situation
Demonstrations or large public gatherings are unlikely in Brunei. Keep yourself informed through the local media.
