Brunei customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Brunei enforces a total ban on alcohol and pork imports, with severe penalties including the death penalty for drug offenses. All travelers must declare dutiable or prohibited items on a Customs Declaration Form; random inspections are common.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
0.0 L
Alcohol import is prohibited for all travelers. Non-Muslims may apply for a permit to bring limited alcohol for personal consumption, but this is rarely granted to tourists. No duty-free allowance exists.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$11,100
Cash or monetary instruments equivalent to BND 15,000 (approx. USD 11,100) or more must be declared using the Customs Declaration Form (CDF). Failure to declare can result in seizure and penalties.
Goods duty-free
$740
Duty-free allowance for personal goods and gifts is BND 1,000 (approx. USD 740). Items exceeding this value are subject to 20% duty and 5% GST on the excess amount.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Alcohol (unless with a rare permit)
  • Pork and all pork products
  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medicinal use)
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (except with police permit)
  • Obscene or seditious materials (including pornography, materials offensive to Islam)
  • Radioactive materials and hazardous waste
  • E-cigarettes and vaping devices

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medications containing controlled substances (require Ministry of Health permit)
  • Live animals, plants, and seeds (require import permit from Ministry of Primary Resources)
  • Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (require permit from the Department of Civil Aviation)
  • Satellite phones and radio transmitters (require permit from the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry)
  • Currency over BND 15,000 (must declare)

Arriving: red vs green channel

Upon arrival, all travelers must complete a Customs Declaration Form (CDF) if carrying dutiable or prohibited items. Use the Red Channel for goods to declare and the Green Channel for nothing to declare. Random inspections occur frequently.

Bringing medication

Personal medications in original packaging with a prescription are allowed for up to 30 days' supply. Controlled substances (e.g., codeine, diazepam) require prior approval from the Ministry of Health. Pseudoephedrine is banned without a permit.

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Pork and pork products are strictly prohibited. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat require an import permit from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Failure to declare can lead to fines and destruction of goods.

Rules worth knowing

Alcohol Ban

Brunei enforces a total ban on alcohol import for Muslims. Non-Muslims may apply for a permit to bring up to 2 bottles of spirits and 12 cans of beer per person per month, but this is rarely granted to tourists. In practice, assume zero alcohol allowed.

Pork Prohibition

All pork and pork products are strictly prohibited, including bacon, ham, sausages, and any food containing pork derivatives. This applies to all travelers regardless of religion.

Strict Drug Laws

Possession of even small amounts of narcotics can lead to the death penalty under Brunei's Sharia law. Cannabis is illegal, and there is no medical marijuana exemption. Travelers should check all medications for banned substances.

Customs Declaration Form

All arriving travelers must complete a Customs Declaration Form (CDF) if carrying any dutiable or prohibited items. The form is available at the airport and must be submitted to customs officers. Failure to declare can result in fines up to BND 20,000 (approx. USD 14,800).

Frequently asked questions

No. Brunei has a strict alcohol ban. Non-Muslims may theoretically apply for a permit to bring limited alcohol, but this is not available to tourists. Do not attempt to bring any alcohol into Brunei.
No. The import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices are banned in Brunei. They are considered prohibited items and will be confiscated.
You must declare the amount on the Customs Declaration Form. Failure to declare can result in seizure of the cash and a fine of up to BND 20,000 (approx. USD 14,800). There is no penalty for declaring amounts over the threshold.
Yes, small quantities for personal use (up to 30 days' supply) are allowed without a prescription. However, medications containing codeine, pseudoephedrine, or other controlled substances require a doctor's prescription and prior approval.
Yes. All pork and pork products are prohibited from import into Brunei, regardless of the traveler's religion. This includes bacon, ham, pork sausages, and any food containing pork derivatives.
Yes, all food items must be declared on the Customs Declaration Form. Processed snacks and chocolate are generally allowed, but fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy require permits. Pork-containing items are banned.
Penalties range from confiscation and fines up to BND 20,000 (approx. USD 14,800) to imprisonment. For narcotics, the death penalty can apply. Customs officials conduct random checks and use sniffer dogs.

Official source

Royal Customs and Excise Department of Brunei Darussalam

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Royal Customs and Excise Department of Brunei Darussalam before travelling.