Bhutan is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II). In fact, the country is not a member of the WTO.

According to Section 18, of the Procurement Rules and Regulations 2025, a procuring agency may conduct tendering from foreign bidders only under the following circumstances: (i) when certain goods, domestic contractors with the required capacity to undertake specific works, or service providers are not available in the country; or (ii) in donor-funded projects, where the funding agreement requires the procuring agency to approach the international market.

Pursuant to Section 64 of the Procurement Rules and Regulations 2025, bidding documents must expressly provide for a 20% margin of preference for: (i) goods of Bhutanese origin, in accordance with the Domestic Preference Guideline 2020 issued by the Ministry of Finance; or (ii) national bidders, where the procurement involves foreign bidders.
In addition, Section 54 requires goods, equipment, materials, and workmanship to comply with applicable standards. Procuring agencies are encouraged to prioritise nationally recognised standards when defining technical requirements. Where national standards are unavailable, unsuitable, or inadequate, international standards may be used.

Reports highlight persistent challenges within Bhutan’s public procurement system, notably the need for timely invoice payments via the electronic government procurement (e-GP) platform, comprehensive record-keeping, adequate resourcing and staffing, and improved inter-institutional coordination. Despite an established legal and regulatory framework, practical implementation issues persist. In 2024, controversy arose when the government awarded direct contracts for laptops and desktops to the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan Limited (STCBL), prompting objections from private IT firms on grounds of unfairness, non-compliance with the Procurement Rules and Regulations (PRR) 2023, and insufficient stakeholder consultation. The government subsequently annulled the STCBL contract.

Bhutan is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). In fact, the country is not a member of the WTO.

It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is BND 400 (approx. USD 300), above the 200 USD threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

According to Arts. 3.1 and 3.6 of the BNNIC Registration Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines, foreign companies or businesses may register for ".bn" and "com.bn" domains only if they have a registered trademark with the Registrar of Trademarks.

The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Order provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.

Brunei has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Brunei enacted the Electronic Transactions Act, drawing upon the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Brunei has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Pursuant to Section 34 of the Telecommunications Order 2001, no person may offer for sale, sell, or possess for sale telecommunications equipment, or possess radiocommunications equipment, except in accordance with a licence granted under Section 5.
This requirement is operationalised by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI) through the Advisory Guidelines on Dealer Telecommunications Licence. Under Section 2.1.1 of the Guidelines, a Dealer Telecommunications Licence (DTL) authorises the licensee to import, lease, sell, offer for sale, or possess such equipment, while Section 2.2.1 restricts eligibility to businesses and companies established in Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, the commercial importation of telecommunications or radiocommunications equipment for resale is subject to further requirements, including Dealer Type Approval and a Dealer Import Permit. AITI issues the Dealer Import Permit only to holders of a valid Dealer Telecommunications Licence who have obtained the corresponding type approval for the equipment.

According to Art. 23 of the Broadcasting Act (Cap. 180), no person may import, offer for sale, sell, or possess for the purpose of sale any broadcasting equipment except under, and in accordance with, a valid licence.

The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei (AITI) requires type approval of telecommunication, radiocommunication and satellite equipment to be sold and used in Brunei. Overseas manufacturers are not allowed to possess a type-approval certificate. They can do so only through a local dealer/representative. Applicants seeking Dealer Type Approval must hold a valid Dealer Licence issued by AITI. All Type Approval certificates are renewable every five years. Still, it is necessary to inform AITI of any changes to the product, regardless of how minor they may be, and whether they might not affect the previous declaration/certificate (Section 9).