Money and duty free for Brunei

Currency and Money

Currency information

Brunei Dollar (BND; symbol B$) = 100 cents. Banknotes are in the denominations B$10,000, B$1,000, B$500, B$100, B$50, B$10, B$5 and B$1. Coins are in the denominations 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The Brunei dollar is pegged to the Singapore dollar; banknotes denominated Singapore dollars are universally accepted in Brunei.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are generally accepted by hotels, department stores and major establishments. Credit card purchases may incur a surcharge of 3% to 5%.

ATM

Widely available in cities and towns but not all ATMs accept foreign credit/debit cards.

Travellers cheques

Travellers cheques can be exchanged for a fee at some banks, but few money changers accept them. Cheques denominated in pounds sterling, US dollars and Australian dollars are easiest to exchange. Hotels and many department stores cash traveller's cheques.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1600; Sat 0900-1100. Shorter hours during Ramadan.

Currency restrictions

The importation of local currency is unrestricted. The export of local currency is limited to B$1000 in banknotes. Singapore dollars may be imported and exported up to the equivalent of B$1000. Indian banknotes may not be brought into Brunei. The import of other foreign currencies is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currencies is unlimited up to the amount imported and declared.

Currency exchange

Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged at any bank.

Brunei duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Brunei by travellers aged over 17 years without incurring customs duty:

• 2 x 1L bottles of alcohol and 12 cans of beer (by non-Muslims for personal consumption only, provided declared at customs upon arrival).
• 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.

Duty is charged on all cigarettes and tobacco products.

Banned Imports

Prohibited imports include dangerous drugs (death penalty may apply), guns, ammunition, fire crackers, and cigarettes without a health warning printed on the packet.

Restricted imports include live plants and animals, vehicles, rice paddy (and products) and sugar.

Banned Exports

You cannot export petrol, diesel, cigarettes or antiques unless you receive authorisation from customs control.