Bhutan Import Restrictions

by countryaah · Published June 2, 2019 · Updated November 3, 2019

In order to enter Bhutan, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Bhutan government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Bhutan, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Bhutan.

Import restrictions

Senders should determine import restrictions from Bhutan authorities before posting:

Bees
Cards, playing
Cigarette lighters
Coffee seeds and trees
Confectionery
Drugs and medicines
Films
Fountain pens and parts thereof
Firearms, including imitation firearms and toys resembling firearms
Gemstones, precious or synthetic
Insect specimens
Insecticides and parasite killers
Liqueurs
Pencils, lead and propelling
Perfume
Plants and plant products
Radio apparatus
Rubber
Saccharine
Silkworms
Spectacles and sunglasses
Sugar cane
Tobacco, raw or manufactured, including cigarettes and cigars
Watches and watch-parts.

Bhutan requires an import permit for all commercial goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Bhutan admits gifts to the value of $A20 without an import licence, but customs duty is payable. Books and magazines are duty-free.

Special documentation

Commercial goods must include an invoice in duplicate and a Certificate of Origin. The customs declaration must either state that these are included or give a reason why not.

Prohibitions

In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Bhutan prohibits: