As a nation that prioritises the well-being of its citizens, Brunei has established robust measures to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of imported food items. Understanding these regulations is crucial for businesses and individuals looking to import food into the country. Therefore, this article provides the answers for you.
You will learn the following:
Understanding the Regulation of Brunei Darussalam's Food Importation
In Brunei Darussalam, ensuring the safety and quality of all food items is paramount under the guidelines of the Public Health (Food) Act (Chapter 182) and its Regulations (R1, Chapter 182). These regulations meticulously define the criteria for food sold or distributed, whether imported or locally manufactured. Beyond mere labelling specifications, these guidelines rigorously address the safety and appropriateness of ingredients and the absence of harmful substances that could compromise health.
The comprehensive standards outlined include:
Preservative Limits: Clearly defined maximum preservatives permissible in specific food categories.
Control of Heavy Metals: Strictly enforced maximum thresholds for heavy metals in food items.
Microbiological Contamination: Stringent measures to prevent and address microbial contamination.
When specific standards are explicitly stated outside the Public Health (Food) Act and its Regulations, the globally recognised Codex Alimentarius international standards are implemented. It ensures a comprehensive and globally accepted framework for food safety and quality.
Additional information can be accessed here for a more detailed understanding of the Codex Alimentarius.
Types of Foods that Can Not Be Imported
Before importing food into the country, it's crucial to verify that the items being imported do not fall under any of the following categories:
1. Food Safety Concerns:
Raw Meat and Meat Products: This includes marinated raw meat and processed meat products sensitive to temperature. It's important to note that this category encompasses Halal food concerns.
Raw Fish and Fish Products: This involves temperature-sensitive items like marinated seafood or processed fish products, such as fish fillets infused with herbs.
Perishable or Temperature-Sensitive Food Products: Items falling under this category should have proper packaging that maintains the required temperature throughout transportation.
2. Oversight by the Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health:
Food Products Containing Narcotic Drugs: Any food items containing species of narcotic drugs like Hemp or Poppy seeds or substances regulated under the Poisons Act (Chapter 114) are under strict jurisdiction.
Traditional Medicine and Health Supplements: Products falling under the provision of the Medicine Order, 2007, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, bioactive substances, and botanical materials in extracts, isolates, concentrates, and metabolites, are within this domain.
3. Regulated by the Royal Customs & Excise Department, Ministry of Finance & Economy:
Goods Listed in Customs Order 2006: Food products that are prohibited, restricted, or categorised as subsidised goods under the Ministry of Finance & Economy's Customs Order 2006.
It's crucial to thoroughly assess and ensure compliance with these categories to avoid legal or regulatory complications during importation.
How to Import Food to Brunei Darussalam?
For Personal Use
Decisions concerning the release, seizure, or detention of food products imported for personal consumption are contingent upon appraisal by the Royal Customs & Excise Department (RCED), Ministry of Finance. Here are the steps to import food for personal use to the country:
1. Ensure Compliance with Legislation
The importer holds responsibility for ensuring the product adheres to pertinent legislation. It confirms that pre-packaged items meet the general labelling and advertising prerequisites outlined in the Public Health (Food) Regulations (R1, Chapter 182).
2. Apply for Food Import Registration
The Food Import Registration (FIR) process is critical for authorised food officers to evaluate the safety and compliance of imported foods. An online FIR application form, available on the e-Darussalam citizen portal, streamlines this process, promoting efficiency.
Go to the Online Processed Food Import Registration System (PFIR) website here.
Log in to your e-Darussalam account.
Navigate to the “All Applications” Options
Once you are in the All Applications page, click the “New Application” button
After that, you will see the declaration importation page, and Tick on the ‘Declaration of importation’ checkbox to agree on the terms and conditions. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide the details of the importation. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide application information and upload invoice and Declaration of letter. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide product information. Add more products when necessary. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Click on the “Save draft” button to save the application as a draft. Once clicked, there will be a pop-up that mentions that the application is successfully saved.
Review the application and tick the ‘declaration’ checkbox. Click on the “Submit & Proceed to Payment” button, to proceed.
Provide bank card details for application payment. Click on the “Next” button, to confirm the bank card details.
Click on the “Pay” button to proceed with the payment.
Once you paid, you will receive the status notifications in your e-Darussalam inbox.
Utilise the reference number for declaration via Brunei Darussalam's national single window.
Detailed user guidelines for the application form can be accessed here.
For Commercial Purposes
The government of Brunei Darussalam mandates that all imported food products—regardless of their mode of transportation—must be registered to ensure compliance with safety standards under the Public Health (Food) Act (Chapter 182) and the Public Health (Food) Regulations (R1, Chapter 182). Here are the steps to import food for commercial purposes to the country:
1. Identify the Relevant Authority
Before importing, ascertain the governing agency overseeing the specific product. For instance, processed foods like sauces, spices, or confectioneries require registration with the FSQCD (Food Safety and Quality Control Division). Explore a comprehensive list of regulated items for other agency directives.
Information on Government Agencies Responsible for Importing Food into Brunei Darussalam
Type of Food | Responsible Government Agencies |
Processed Food Products | Import & Export Unit, Food Safety & Quality Control Division, Ministry of Health |
Subsidised Goods (e.g., Rice & Sugar) | Supply & State Store Department, Ministry of Finance |
Halal Meat Products |
|
Non-Halal Meat Products | Food Safety & Quality Control Division, Ministry of Health |
Bottled Water | Industrial Development Unit, Department of Energy & Industry, Prime Minister's Office |
Health Supplements & Traditional Supplements | Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health |
Fresh Whole Fish and Fish for Rearing | Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism |
Fresh Crop Commodities and Seeds for Cultivation | Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism |
Local Food Manufacturers | Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism |
2. Ensure Compliance with Legislation
The importer holds responsibility for ensuring the product adheres to pertinent legislation. It confirms that pre-packaged items meet the general labelling and advertising prerequisites outlined in the Public Health (Food) Regulations (R1, Chapter 182).
3. Apply for Food Import Registration
The Food Import Registration (FIR) process is critical for authorised food officers to evaluate the safety and compliance of imported foods. An online FIR application form, available on the e-Darussalam citizen portal, streamlines this process, promoting efficiency.
Go to the Online Processed Food Import Registration System (PFIR) website here.
Log in to your e-Darussalam account.
Navigate to the “All Applications” Options
Once you are in the All Applications page, click the “New Application” button
After that, you will see the declaration importation page, and Tick on the ‘Declaration of importation’ checkbox to agree on the terms and conditions. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide the details of the importation. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide application information and upload invoice and Declaration of letter. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Provide product information. Add more products when necessary. Click on the “Next” button, to proceed.
Click on the “Save draft” button to save the application as a draft. Once clicked, there will be a pop-up that mentions that the application is successfully saved.
Review the application and tick the ‘declaration’ checkbox. Click on the “Submit & Proceed to Payment” button, to proceed.
Provide bank card details for application payment. Click on the “Next” button, to confirm the bank card details.
Click on the “Pay” button to proceed with the payment.
Once you paid, you will receive the status notifications in your e-Darussalam inbox.
Utilise the reference number for declaration via Brunei Darussalam's national single window.
Detailed user guidelines for the application form can be accessed here.
4. Apply for an Import Permit
Once registered, declare your goods at the Royal Customs & Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, for clearance. The Food Safety and Quality Control Division - Ministry of Health (FSQCD) issues two licences based on the food type and contents.
Artificial Sweetening Substance License: Required for food containing artificial sweeteners like aspartame & saccharin. Learn more about this licence here.
Irradiated Food License: Necessary for food subjected to irradiation during processing or containing irradiated ingredients. Explore details about this licence here.
Importers must recognise their accountability for any associated risks from consuming or using the product and refrain from selling, distributing, or advertising the item(s) to the general public
This policy extends to trade samples—small quantities imported exclusively for administrative purposes without intent for sale, distribution, or advertisement.
Adherence to stringent standards is pivotal in this intricate landscape of Brunei Darussalam's food importation regulations. Yet, compliance isn't solely about understanding the rules; it's equally about executing flawless logistics operations. That's where Luwjistik steps in.
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