Personal Importation
Personal Importation is a process where importer who wish to import (bring in) equipment for their own personal use in Brunei Darussalam. This is applicable to any individuals, Government agencies and locally registered businesses.
AITI will issue a registration document in the form of Personal Import Permit (PIP) as proof that the telecommunication and/or radiocommunication equipment has been registered with AITI.
What is not allowed under PIP:
- Importation of telecommunications and/or radiocommunications equipment for resale purposes must comply to a different set of requirements. Please click here to know more.
- Importation of telecommunications and/or radiocommunications equipment on behalf of non-immediate1 family members for their own use except for registered Forwarders and Runners in Brunei Darussalam. Please click here to know more about Forwarders and Runners.
Equipment Assessment
AITI assess any telecommunications and radio-communications equipment that are imported in Brunei Darussalam to make sure that the equipment meets the national safety standards and technical requirement in Brunei Darussalam.
The national safety standards and technical requirements in Brunei Darussalam refers to the Code of Practice on Technical Specifications for Short Range Devices (SRD), Technical Specification for Terminal Equipment connected to PSTN as well as any other relevant international standards recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
These assessment of standards and technical requirements are performed to:
- Protect the integrity of Brunei’s telecommunication networks;
- Ensure all equipment are compatible to be used in Brunei Darussalam; and
- Protect the safety of the user when operating the equipment.
Submission requirements
Applicants must provide details of the equipment (such as Brand, Model and quantity) in application as well as attach and upload the following documents with their online applications:
- Technical specification/brochure of the equipment; and
- Detention Receipt or Notice of Seizure issued by Royal Brunei Customs & Excise Department (RCED) or Shipping Detail or Airway Bill
Personal Importation Process
The application process to obtain Personal Import Permit (PIP) is summarised as below:
All Personal Import Permit Applications must be made through the AITI Online Services Portal.
Multiple equipment (within the same shipment order) can be applied under one (1) Personal Import Permit application.
All complete Personal Import Permit application submitted that complies with the standard and technical requirements will be processed within two (2) working days upon submission.
Note: Submission of online application is advisable to be done closer to the arrival date of the equipment or after the arrival of the equipment to Brunei Darussalam to ensure ample time for other processes.
Permit Validity
Each Import Permit is valid for only two (2) weeks i.e. fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of issuance. Expired Import Permits cannot be extended2. If the Import Permit has expired, applicant must submit a new Personal Importation application online.
“Please note that any alteration made to documents that are officially produced by AITI with intentions to mislead relevant authorities, if found guilty, are chargeable under the laws of Brunei Darussalam in reference to Section 464 of the Penal Code (Chapter 22)”
Personal Importation Fees
There are two (2) Personal Importation Fees:
- Fees for equipment assessment depending on the category; and
- Fees for equipment that uses licensable frequency.
The first five (5) units of the equipment of the same category will be exempted from this fee. The sixth (6th) unit and the subsequent unit(s) of the equipment that belongs to the same category will be charged at BND 50.00 each.
The list of the categories can be found here.
Equipment that uses licensable frequency will be charged at BND 20.00 per unit. The list of equipment that are chargeable are as listed below:
- Amateur Radio
- Marine Radio
- Satellite Phone/Phonecall
- Kristal Astro
- Satellite Receiver
- Telex
- Walkie Talkie
- Security System with Telephone
- Security System
- Base Station
- Temporary Equipment
- Remote Control Transmitter
[List of non-exempted equipment dated as of 13 December 20193. This list is subject to AITI’s discretion and may be updated from time to time]
Payments
AITI has permanently closed all its physical counters since March 2020. All customers are advised to make payments through the AITI Online Services (Credit Card or Debit Card) for faster application processing time.
For Cash and Cheque payments, customers are advised to go to the nearest Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) or Baiduri Bank - Cash or Cheque Deposit Machines (CDMs). A payment alternative guide can be found here. However, kindly take note that the PIP application processing time will be longer for this type of payment menthod as verification of payment process is required before the issuance of the approved PIP application.
Exemption of Personal Importation Fees
Equipment with Bluetooth only connection (for technical specifications, please refer to SRD document below) is exempted from the Personal Importation Fee. However, importers must still submit PIP application for approval before use.
Other available Permits
AITI also issues Dealer Import Permit as well as Demo/Trial Import Permit. Please contact AITI Customer Service Unit for more details on these permits.
Forwarders and Runners
For Forwarders and Runners, the additional requirements to apply PIP for their customers are as follows:
- Register a Company account at AITI Online Services portal
- For Forwarders and Runners who have not registered with AITI Online Services must create a company account at AITI Online Services Portal under the Forwarders or the Runners’ business name.
- They must also upload their business certificates and/or Runners' registration document from Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED) as part of their supporting documents.
- Once the account has been verified, the Forwarders and Runners must request to be assigned as a “Forwarder Agent” by emailing to helpdesk@aiti.gov.bn.
- Forwarders and Runners must change the Customer Name and Address fields in the PIP application form to their customers’ name and address for a smoother declaration process.
Notes:
- The supporting documents required for submitting a PIP application form by Forwarders and Runners remains the same with any other PIP applications.
- Should the PIP requires any payment, the invoice will be under the Forwarder or the Runner’s account name.
1
Applicant submit complete online application form
2
AITI processes the application
3
Applicant received notification on the approved or rejected application
4
Successful applicant make online payment (if any)
5
Applicant can download and rint the ePermit for Custom declaration
FAQ
AITI assesses the telecommunication and radiocommunication equipment to make sure that the equipment is:
- Properly designed, produced and operated;
- Safe to use and does not cause harmful interference to other equipment, systems or networks; and
- Complies with the technical standards so it is compatible with other equipment, systems or networks and works well to be used in Brunei Darussalam.
For equipment imported (brought in) to Brunei Darussalam for own use, please apply for a Personal Import Permit at AITI Online Services. Some fees may apply.
For equipment imported (brought in) to Brunei Darussalam for resale/commercial purposes, please apply for:
- Dealer Telecommunication Licence (DTL);
- Dealer Type Approval for the specific brand and model of the equipment; and
- Dealer Import Permit.
at AITI Online Services. Dealer Licence, Dealer Type Approval and Dealer Import Permit fees will be charged.
Yes, you can. You can download and print out the Permit from the AITI Online Services Portal for Custom’s reference.
You can apply it at AITI Online Services.
All complete Personal Import Permit application (PIP) submitted (that complies with the standard and technical requirements) will be processed within two (2) working days upon submission. Some fees may apply.
All complete Personal Import Permit (PIP) application submitted that complies with the standard and technical requirements will be processed within two (2) working days upon submission.
The following documents are required to be uploaded during application:
- Technical specification/brochure of the equipment; and
- Detention Receipt or Notice of Seizure issued by Royal Brunei Customs & Excise Department (RCED) or Shipping Detail or Airway Bill
Footnotes
1Immediate family members refers to the individual’s parents (including step-parent), siblings (including stepbrother or stepsister) and child (including adopted and stepchild).
2Subject to case-to-case basis only under AITI’s discretion.
3As per the approval date for Advisory Guidelines for Equipment Importation and Type Approval