Brunei Darussalam

The economy of Brunei, a small and wealthy country, is a mixture of foreign and domestic
entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village traditions. It is
almost entirely supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the
petroleum sector accounting for over half of GDP. Per capita GDP is high, and substantial
income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. GDP of
Brunei per capita is 31,722.66 USD (2021) As of 2020, its population was 460,345, of whom
about 100,000 live in the capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan.
The politics of Brunei take place in a framework of an absolute monarchy, whereby the
Sultan of Brunei is both head of state and head of government (Prime Minister of Brunei).
Executive power is exercised by the government. Brunei's outstanding record of political
stability has been led by a benevolent monarchy that can be traced back, in an unbroken line
of succession, over 600 years to when the first Sultan was installed in 1363. Oil and gas have
been the backbone of Brunei's economy since their discovery in 1929. The government
provides for all medical services, subsidizes food and housing, free school and university for
students, access to infrastructure and many more. Therefore, the lifestyle in Brunei is very
good and health concern, as for the golden dragon fruit, it would be the right choice of super
food for the people in Brunei.

M A L A Y S I A - B R U N E I In 2020, Malaysia exported $809M to Brunei. The main

products that Malaysia exported to Brunei were Crude Petroleum ($68.7M), Packaged
Medicaments ($49.4M), and Animal Food ($49.1M). During the last 25 years the exports of
Malaysia to Brunei have increased at an annualized rate of 4.42%, from $274M in 1995 to
$809M in 2020. Malaysia Exports to Brunei was US$1.39 Billion during 2021, according to
the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Malaysia Exports to Brunei
- data, historical chart and statistics.

Importation of dragon fruit to Brunei

Step 1: Register at RCED / appoint a registered agent

Any company wishes to engage in importing or exporting or transiting of goods in Brunei

Darussalam must be registered with RCED or appoint a Customs Agent (Forwarder) who are
already registered with the RCED.
Individual person who wishes to engage in importing or exporting or transiting of goods in
Brunei Darussalam is not compulsory to be registered with the RCED. However, you are
advised to make use of the services of Customs Agents (Forwarders).
Customs Agents (Forwarders) must be registered to the RCED and undergo approval process
in order to be given a license to operate as a Customs Agents (Forwarder).

Where can applicants register?

An applicant can submit a one-time registration form online through the Brunei Darussalam
National Single Window (BDNSW).Alternatively, an applicant may also submit a completed
Registration Form and Declarant Form via email coa.renew@customs.gov.bn
If applicant want to appoint a Customs Agent (Forwarder), you must also submit an
Authorisation Form. An applicant who wanted to submit their application by themselves may
also submit the Forms directly to the Customer Services Counter of RCED Headquarters,
Jalan Menteri Besar. Once application is approved, applicant has been registered and will be
given User ID and Password to access the BDNSW.
How much does registration cost?
Registration is free of charge.

What are the documents needed for registration?

 A copy of Business Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Incorporation

 A copy of Business Owner's Smart Identity Card.
 A copy of each Company Partnership's Smart Identity Card (for Company)

 Step 2: Apply Permit for Controlled Items

All goods may be imported or exported except for prohibited goods under Section 31 of the
Customs Order, 2006. Do check if the goods to be imported are controlled goods or goods
subject to restriction from respective responsible agency in Brunei Darussalam. Restricted
and Controlled Goods will require the necessary license or permit before importation. May
search using the description of the goods or Harmonized System (HS) code. Also can check
with your appointed Customs Agents (Forwarders) or to check directly with the respective
responsible agency on their licensing requirement.

What is meant by license or permit?

License or Permit is a verification or approval issued by the respective responsible agency
before importation.

How to apply license/ permit?

You may:
  Appoint a Customs Agents (Forwarders) to apply for permit on your behalf; or
 Apply for permits for your own or on behalf of your clients. To do so, you will need
to register as a declarant and apply for a BDNSW user ID.

Some controlled or restricted goods still require a manual application for permit. May check
with appointed Customs Agents (Forwarders) or to check directly with the respective
responsible agency on the application procedures.

How much does license/ permit application cost?

Some license/ permit are free of charge.
You may wish to check with your appointed Customs Agents (Forwarders) or to check
directly with the respective responsible agency on the charges involved.

Step 3: Online Customs Import Declaration

Before arrival of imported goods, the importer is required to obtain a Customs Import
Declaration.

How to submit Customs Import Declaration?

All Customs Import Declaration must be submitted via BDNSW.
You may:

 Appoint a Customs Agents (Forwarders) to submit Customs Import Declaration on

your behalf; or
 Submit Customs Import Declaration for your own or on behalf of your clients. To do
so, you will need to register as a declarant and apply for a BDNSW user ID.

How much does Customs Import Declaration cost?

Customs Import Declarations are free of charge.
If you are engaging a Customs Agents (Forwarders) for assistance in declaring, they may
charge service fees. You may wish to check with your appointed Customs Agents
(Forwarders) on the charges involved.

In which situation goods may be exempted from Customs Import Declaration?

Certain goods, unless they are dutiable, controlled and requested by Customs Officers to do
so, do not require a Customs Import Declaration. These include, but are not limited to:
  Personal or household effects accompany the passenger as hand-carry or check-in
luggage.
 Parcel Post
 Documents
 Goods imported by Courier Services registered under De'Minimis Scheme (non-
controlled goods which are not exceeding BND400 CIF)
 Locally sourced stores loaded for use on board the vessel and aircraft

What are main documents required to be included in the declaration?

Main documents required to be listed as reference in the Customs Declaration are as follows:
 - Commercial Invoice
 - Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
 
 Step 4: Payment of Dutiable Goods

All goods imported into Brunei Darussalam are subjected to Customs Import Duties Order
and Excise Duties Order which being enforced at this date. Duty rates may be applied of the
CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value, which includes other charges, costs and expenses
incidental to the sale and delivery of the goods into Brunei Darussalam, whether or not shown
on the invoice.

How can I know which goods are dutiable or not?

Determination of classification of imported goods whether dutiable or not are based on
Brunei Darussalam Tariff and Trade Classification 2017 derived from ASEAN Harmonised
Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN 2017).
You may search using the description of the goods or Harmonized System (HS) code.

How can I pay the duty?

Duties must be paid upon submission of customs declaration. Payment can be either via Card
or i-Banking (BIBD and Baiduri).

Step 5: Inspection and Clearance

All restricted and controlled goods imported into Brunei Darussalam will be subject to
customs inspection prior clearance of the goods. In certain circumstances, normal goods will
also be subjected to inspection.
Which documents would I need to provide?
For every importation by sea, air or land, you are required to produce:
the Approved Customs Import Declaration; and Supporting Documents such as Invoice, Bill
of Lading/Air Waybill and License/Permit from responsible agency for any controlled goods
(for manual permit)

to the customs officers at the entry point for verification. For importation via Post Office and
importation of any personal goods or household effects accompany the passengers as hand-
carry or check-in luggage, you are not required to present the Customs import Declaration,
except in certain circumstances, when you are asked to do so.

Do I need pre-scheduled inspection?

Some controlled goods requires pre-scheduled inspection by the respective responsible
agencies, except in certain circumstance, when you are asked not to do so.
Example of goods requires pre-scheduled inspection are as follows, Firearms, explosives, fire
crackers, dangerous weapons, timber and product thereof

Obligations of importers and customs agents (forwarders):

Generally, you are required to retain the relevant supporting documents relating to the
purchase, import, sale or export of the goods for a period of 7 years from:

 the date of the Customs Import Declaration has been approved; or

 from the date of purchase, import, sale or export (for goods imported via Post Office
and for personal goods or household effects accompany the passengers as hand-carry
or check-in luggage ).

These documents can be stored as physical hardcopies or softcopies or as images. You are
required to produce these supporting documents to Royal Customs and Excise Department
upon request.

Conclusion
By looking at the economy and stable political aspect of Brunei, it can be considered to be
one of the destination for exporting the golden dragon fruit. Also, Brunei is a neighbouring
country and it is located in Borneo, near to Sarawak, Malaysia. Therefore, logistic by land is
rather convenient and cost efficient. Fresh premium golden dragon fruit can be harvested and
sold to the consumer in Brunei which the quality of fruits can be maintained. In addition, the
consumer in Brunei are looking for premium and nutritious fruits and can afford the value as
we have in propose, the golden dragon fruit from Sarawak, Malaysia.