Country Guides
Brunei
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Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Bill of lading / delivery order or air waybill
- Packing list
- Invoice (signed by the exporter or seller)
- Customs declaration form (submitted via the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window)
- Passport
- Work permit / employment pass
- Additional documentation as deemed necessary by the Customs and Excise Department (certificates of origin, approval permits, import licences)
Specific Information
Fumigation: Not required for shipments into Brunei Darussalam. ISPM 15 is not mandated.
Customs declaration: All declaration forms must be submitted via the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window (BDNSW) website with supporting documentation.
Importer registration: Importers must register with the port of entry.
Open general licence: Non-prohibited goods can be imported under an open general licence. Specific products may require additional import permits from relevant government agencies.
Halal food requirements: Processed food imports must be registered and must identify additives' origins. Imported food products are mainly halal for the majority Muslim population. Halal food cannot contain alcohol or derivatives from non-halal animal products. This affects any food items within household shipments.
Generally low tariffs: Brunei has generally very low tariff rates. Most goods enter at 0% customs duty. Excise duties apply to specific categories (tobacco, alcohol, motor vehicles, sugar-sweetened products, luxury items).
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free conditions: Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free. Shipments are subject to customs duties if new items are found within the consignment.
New items: Any new items within the shipment are subject to import and excise duties at applicable rates.
Duty exemption: An importer can request the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) to issue an exemption of duty determination.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs — Strictly prohibited; Brunei applies the death penalty for drug trafficking
- Fireworks — Prohibited
- Non-halal meat and poultry not slaughtered in approved abattoirs — Prohibited without proper authorisation from the Minister of Religious Affairs
- Weapons without permit — Prohibited
- Counterfeit goods and currency — Prohibited
- Pornographic or obscene material — Prohibited
- Material offensive to Islam — Prohibited
- Items prohibited under the Customs (Prohibition & Restriction on Imports and Exports) Order 2017 — Various categories
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Duty-Free Traveller Allowances (per Brunei Embassy / Customs Import Duties Order 1973, Section 9 Part B)
For passengers aged 17 and above:
- Personally used goods (clothing, personal effects)
- Specific quantities of tobacco and alcohol vary by the traveller's religion:
- Non-Muslims over 17: May import limited amounts of alcohol but must declare it to customs on arrival and consume it in private only. Alcohol may not be consumed in public.
- Muslims: May not import alcohol.
- Tobacco: specific limits apply (confirm current quantities with customs)
Restricted Items
- Alcohol — Non-Muslims may import limited quantities for private consumption only; must be declared; public consumption prohibited; Muslims may not import alcohol
- Firearms and explosives `PERMIT REQUIRED` — Permission from the Royal Brunei Police Force
- Plants, fruits, and vegetables `PERMIT REQUIRED` — Special permit from the Agriculture Department
- Pets and animals `PERMIT REQUIRED` — Import licence from the Agriculture Department plus health and rabies certificates
- Meat and poultry `PERMIT REQUIRED` — Must be slaughtered in an approved abattoir and accompanied by proper authorisation from the Minister of Religious Affairs; halal certification required
- Telecommunications equipment — May require approval
- Food products — Must comply with halal requirements and Brunei Darussalam Food Authority regulations; HACCP certificates may be required
Excise Duty Categories (2017 amendments)
- Sugar-sweetened foodstuffs: duties applied
- Plastic products: increased excise duties
- Luxury items (mobile phones, leather products, video games): 5% increase
- Industrial machinery and heavy vehicle spare parts: reduced duties
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Bill of lading
- Vehicle registration / title
- Purchase invoice
- Customs declaration via BDNSW
Specific Information
Excise duties on vehicles: Motor vehicles are subject to excise duty. Rates vary by vehicle type, engine capacity, and value.
2017 tariff amendments: The Customs Import and Excise Duty Amendment Order 2017 adjusted duties on vehicles. Import and excise duties on industrial machinery and spare parts for heavy vehicles and heavy machinery were reduced.
Luxury tax increases: Tax rates on luxury items including mobile phones, leather products, and video games were increased by 5% under the 2017 amendments.
Driving: Driving is on the LEFT-hand side of the road.
Pets
- Special import licence from the Agriculture Department (must be obtained before arrival) Per the World Baggage Network, Brunei Embassy, and VisaHQ:
- Veterinary health certificate clearing the animal of any infectious diseases Per the World Baggage Network, Brunei Embassy, and VisaHQ:
- Rabies inoculation certificate issued less than 60 days prior to arrival Per the World Baggage Network, Brunei Embassy, and VisaHQ:
Import licence required: All cats, dogs, and other animals require a special import licence from the Agriculture Department before being granted entry.
Health certificate: Must certify the animal is free from infectious diseases.
Rabies certificate: Must be issued less than 60 days before arrival. This is a wider window than many countries.
Quarantine: Contact the Agriculture Department for current quarantine requirements.
Halal considerations: Brunei is an Islamic country governed by Sharia law. Dogs are considered unclean (najis) in Islamic tradition. While dogs are not prohibited, their import and keeping may be subject to additional sensitivities and regulations. Confirm current policies with the destination agent.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
Customs declarations: Must be submitted electronically via the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window (BDNSW). Online payment services are also available through BDNSW.
Importer registration: Required at the port of entry before goods can be cleared.
Routing / port of entry: Muara Port (primary sea freight port, approximately 28 km from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan). Brunei International Airport for air freight. Brunei is located on the island of Borneo, bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea.
ASEAN membership: Brunei is a member of ASEAN. The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) provides preferential tariff treatment for goods from ASEAN member states.
Islamic law considerations: Brunei implemented phases of a Sharia Penal Code beginning in 2014. Public criticism of the Sultan or Royal Family is a serious offence. Movers should advise customers to be aware of the Islamic legal framework and ensure no prohibited items are included in household shipments. Items that might be considered offensive to Islam or contrary to public morality should not be shipped.
Currency: Brunei dollar (BND), pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar (SGD). Singapore dollars are also accepted as legal tender.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): https://www.openfactbook.org/countries/brunei/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunei
- Royal Customs and Excise Department: https://www.mofe.gov.bn/import-and-export-procedures/
- trade.gov — Brunei Customs Regulations: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brunei-customs-regulations
- trade.gov — Brunei Import Requirements: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brunei-import-requirements-and-documentation
Key country facts: Brunei Darussalam is a small, wealthy sultanate on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea. The country is divided into two non-contiguous sections by the Limbang district of Sarawak. The capital is Bandar Seri Begawan. The official language is Malay; English is widely spoken. The currency is the Brunei dollar (BND), pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar. Brunei is an absolute monarchy governed by the Sultan. Islam is the official religion, and Sharia law is in force. There is no income tax or sales tax/VAT. The economy is heavily oil- and gas-dependent. Brunei is a member of ASEAN. Driving is on the left-hand side.
Important notes for movers: Brunei's household goods import process is relatively straightforward compared to many countries — used goods enter duty-free and fumigation is not required. The main considerations are cultural and religious: Brunei is an Islamic country with Sharia law in force. Alcohol is restricted (non-Muslims may import limited quantities for private consumption only; Muslims may not import any). All meat and poultry must be halal-certified and from approved abattoirs. Food products must comply with halal requirements. Material that could be considered offensive to Islam or contrary to public morality is prohibited. The death penalty applies for drug trafficking. Movers should ensure customers understand these cultural and legal parameters before packing.
Regulatory Updates
- 2017: Customs Import and Excise Duty Amendment Order 2017 adjusted tariff rates: increased duties on sugar-sweetened products, plastic products, and luxury items; reduced duties on industrial machinery and heavy vehicle spare parts.
- 2014–2019: Phased implementation of Sharia Penal Code, including provisions applicable to public behaviour and morality.
- Ongoing: Brunei Darussalam National Single Window (BDNSW) continues as the mandatory electronic customs declaration platform.
Useful resources