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The twenty imports Brunei is best placed to replace.

Brunei imported USD 2.5bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 2.2bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 507mthe twenty, imported in 2024
21products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
69products Brunei already exports well
50product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Brunei already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Brunei would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Brunei does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg but not exceeding 15,000kgHS 880230

    Comes fromSpain 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthAircraft and spacecraft: parts thereof n.e.c. in chapter 88 (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 79m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Spain supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 79ma year
  2. 2

    Tugs and pusher craftHS 890400

    Comes fromChina 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthTankers (exports USD 70m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 33m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 33mfrom USD 4m in 2022
  3. 3

    Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons...HS 890190

    Comes fromChina 57%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTankers (exports USD 70m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 44mfrom USD 3m in 2022
  4. 4

    Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112

    Comes fromSingapore 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthEngines: parts of aircraft engines (spark-ignition reciprocating or... (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Singapore supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 41mup 7% on 2022
  5. 5

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted...HS 721410

    Comes fromMalaysia 98%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of tinned iron or steel (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Malaysia supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 19mup 95% on 2022
  6. 6

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromMalaysia 49%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material...
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 87m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 87mup 28% on 2022
  7. 7

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromMalaysia 82%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 33m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 33mup 31% on 2022
  8. 8

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromMalaysia 85%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 60k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Malaysia supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 15mdown 5% on 2022
  9. 9

    Pharmaceutical goods: placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits for a recognised clinical trial...HS 300693

    Comes fromMalaysia 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 19mup 143% on 2022
  10. 10

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromMalaysia 68%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 401k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 44 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 15mdown 21% on 2022
  11. 11

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromMalaysia 60%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 24k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 70 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Malaysia supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 13mdown 2% on 2022
  12. 12

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromMalaysia 50%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 17k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 21mup 3% on 2022
  13. 13

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromMalaysia 59%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 49k
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 34 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 18mup 29% on 2022
  14. 14

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and tubing, of a kind used in drilling for...HS 730429

    Comes fromJapan 77%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): tubes and pipes (not... (exports USD 12m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 283k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 78 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Japan supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 59% on 2022
  15. 15

    Track suits and other garments n.e.c.: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 621142

    Comes fromVietnam 93%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSuits: women's or girls', of wool or fine animal hair (not knitted... (exports USD 73k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 90 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Vietnam supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 11mfrom USD 127k in 2022
  16. 16

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromMalaysia 75%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 96 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 4% on 2022
  17. 17

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Comes fromSingapore 41%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNavigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 72 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Singapore supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 13mup 32% on 2022
  18. 18

    Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise preparedHS 190230

    Comes fromIndonesia 47%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 152k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 2 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 94 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Indonesia supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 11mup 0% on 2022
  19. 19

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromSingapore 38%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTransmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 814k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 1 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 92 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Brunei's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1).

    USD 11mdown 45% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Brunei already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of... imports USD 21m, exports USD 6m, top source Malaysia 62%
  • Ground flying trainers and parts thereof: other than air combat simulators and... imports USD 14m, exports USD 1m, top source Germany 84%
  • Navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation... imports USD 10m, exports USD 3m, top source United States 68%
  • Engines: for aircraft, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal... imports USD 24m, exports USD 21m, top source United States 54%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 50 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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