FOOD IMPORTATION INTO BHUTAN
Import of food products into Bhutan is regulated as per the Plant Quarantine Rules and Regulations (2003), Food Act of Bhutan (2005), Seed Rules and Regulations (2006), the Food Rules and Regulations of Bhutan (2017) and Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan (2017).
A person who wishes to import food commercially into Bhutan has to obtain an import permit prior to importation of food, from Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. The import permit forms can be downloaded HERE.
Food imported into Bhutan must meet the applicable standards for that particular food, and must fulfill the import requirements prescribed in the import permit. Food imported into Bhutan shall be subject to inspection by a Food Inspector to verify its compliance, failing which the food shall be rejected at the point of entry. Food must be imported into Bhutan through an officially designated entry point.
FOOD EXPORT FROM BHUTAN
A person wishing to export food commercially from Bhutan has to obtain an export certificate after presenting the food for export inspection. The containers, packaging material, labelling and ingredients of food exported from Bhutan are subject to inspection by a food inspector. The exporters wishing to export food from Bhutan shall inform BAFRA of any inspection, analysis or documentation required by the relevant importing country. Food shall be exported from Bhutan through an officially designated exit point.