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Monday, 2 June 2025

Brunei: BFPO - General Accounting Rate (GAR) for June 2025 & Updated Opening Hours


Opening Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Open: 09:30 - 12:00
Break: 12:00 - 12:30
Open: 12:30 - 15:30

Wednesday
Open: 09:30 - 13:00 (due to weekly accounts day)

Friday
Open: 09:30 - 13:30   

Exchange Rate:

June - £1.00 = $1.7301

NOTICES

Post Office Announcement

On the following dates the Post Office will be prioritising cash withdrawals to the Main Bodies that are arriving with 2 RGR after 1230hrs ( their induction brief). We appreciate your consideration in these cases.
  • 13/06/25
  • 24/07/25
  • 31/07/25
  • 07/08/25
  • 14/08/25
  • 21/08/25
Updated Opening Hours

We are pleased to inform you that the BFPO is currently equipped with cash for withdrawals. 

Additionally, we would like to provide you with the updated opening hours:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Open: 09:30 - 12:00  
- Break: 12:00 - 12:30  
- Open: 12:30 - 15:30  

Wednesday 
- Open: 09:30 - 13:00 (due to weekly accounts day)  

Friday 
- Open: 09:30 - 13:30   

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the BFPO 11 team.

COMD BFB DIRECTION ON THE BFPO SERVICE

The use of the British Forces Post Office by SP across the globe is a huge privilege. Changes in the UK’s trading and customs regulations over recent years have created uncertainty around what constitutes acceptable fair use of the system. 

Here in Brunei, we have a very limited capacity per week to send consignments via BFPO, and recent inspections have shown that up to half of this allocation has been used for dried goods. This has drawn attention at BFPO HQ, where similar patterns in other regions have triggered intervention from HMRC and resulted in permanent reduced allowances and referral to the Customs Compliance Team. I want to avoid that happening here. Particularly over the unit move, we must protect and prioritise access to the BFPO service, something that remains a privilege, not a right. 

In line with guidance from BFPO HQ, I have temporarily suspended the consignment of dried goods via BFPO 11 to prevent excessive gifting and avoid triggering customs scrutiny. I recognise that sending gifts is a valued tradition in our community, but until the move is complete, I ask that you consider more appropriate alternatives to safeguard the system for all.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – FORCES POST OFFICE BFPO 11

Due to a sustained high volume of dried articles and increasing counter service pressures, the Forces Post Office (BFPO 11) will be implementing revised service timings with immediate effect to ensure smoother operations and a fairer service for all users.

New Opening Hours:

Monday to Thursday

0930 – 1200: Parcel Drop-Off Only (No cash withdrawals during this time)
1230 – 1530: Cash Withdrawals Only (No parcel services during this time)

Friday

0930 – 1330: Full Counter Service (Parcels and Cash)

These changes are designed to manage the workload more efficiently and reduce queue times. Please plan your visit accordingly and be aware that services requested outside of these times may be politely declined.

We kindly ask all customers to treat our Post Office staff with courtesy and respect. If you have any concerns or queries, please direct them to the SO3 Logistic Support, Capt Dan Knott RLC.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Proof of ID Card

With immediate effect, BFB personnel who wish to send a parcel through the British Forces Post Office MUST present a valid ID Card at the counter. The name on the ID must correspond exactly with the senders name stated on the Customs Declaration Form. Unfortunately, parcels will not be accepted for dispatch without valid identification. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.



Mail Services

All mail services from the BFPO 11 are with immediate effect back online, however the following conditions apply:


Restricted items in the mail (BFPO 11 Service)

1.      Dried Food Articles. Postage of dried food articles, including fish, tea and coffee are subject to the following conditions:

        a.      A maximum of 5kg per entitled person per week, up to 20kg each calendar month and parcels are to be packaged separately.

2.      Sold goods. Commercial postage of clothing, apparels and services for personal gain through the BFPO is strictly prohibited.

3.     Any misuse of BFPO services, such as using them for personal business purposes, constitutes an abuse of resources and is subject to disciplinary action. Misuse compromises the integrity and efficiency of services intended to support BFB’s Directives.

British Forces Post Office Services

British Forces Brunei post office is located in the Chit Chat Community Centre.

The BFPO system can be used to send and receive post from the UK.

All mails are distributed to work addresses only.

Authorised personnel

All BFPO services are available to entitled personnel only, which includes:

- Service Personnel & Families

- UKBC / Teachers & Families

Relatives and other UK or foreign civilians are to use local banking and postal services as they are not classed as authorised, under the MoD provision.

International Driving Permits (IDPs)

International Driving Permits (IDPs) can be issued from the Post office at no cost to authorised BFB personnel and families.

Please note the following:

The validity periods of IDPs remain extant, only request, as required.

A passport sized photo and valid driving license is required for IDP issuance.

More information about IDPs can be found at https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/get-an-idphttps://internationaldrivingpermit.org/what-is-an-idp/ or on the Royal Mail website.

Forces Post Office (FPO) Chip & Pin Service

Customers are reminded of the upper limit when withdrawing or depositing cash at the PO is the local equivalent of £250 per day, and a maximum limit of £1000.00 per month respectively. This cash limit also applies to MoneyGram services.

Please do not approach the counter staff requesting more than the afore stated amounts. If you require a larger withdrawal, you must first seek permission from SO3 Log Sp or the DCOS, through your CoC if appropriate, in the first instance. Also, a 5 days’ notice must be given in order to ensure enough cash is available at the counter.

Post Office Ration Card 2025/26

QR Code for Post Office Ration Card 2025/26 Renewal

Please be advised, the issuance of the 2025/26 cash transaction cards is through a request system.

Please click HERE for the link or scan the QR code below is the mode of requesting new cards.


Upon submission a message will be displayed, indicating the date for collection.


Postal Service

British Forces Brunei post office is located in the Chit Chat Community Centre. The BFPO system can be used to send and receive post from the UK. All of your mails will go through your work address with the exception of bills from local companies.

1. Addressing

Address Format for Service Personnel/ Garrison Support Personnel:

Service/Staff number, Title/Rank, Full Name
Unit (1 or 2 RGR, HQ Brunei Garrison, BFB)
Sub Unit (HQ, A, B, C Coy/Department)
Tuker/Medicina Lines
BFPO 11 or BF1 3AG

Address Format for Families:

Title, Full Name
(C/O) Service/Staff number, Title/Rank, Full Name
Unit (1 or 2 RGR, HQ Brunei Garrison, BFB)
Sub Unit (HQ, A, B, C Coy/Department)
Tuker/Medicina Lines
BFPO 11 or BF1 3AG

2. BFPO Price/Size Guide

Please click the image to enlarge.

Mail Regulations

3. Postage requirements

When customers come to the Post Office with parcels to send, please make sure the items are already correctly addressed and securely sealed.

When Posting Parcels please ensure they are clearly addressed properly and within the dimensions of Depth (460mm) x Length (610mm) x Width (460mm) and no heavier than 20Kg.

4. Prohibited items

The Following items are not to be sent via the BFPO mail system, for further advice, please contact the Post Office located in the Chit Chat Community Centre.

Compressed gases – butane, oxygen, propane, camping gas cylinders, gas lighter refills, aqua lungs, aerosol (including medicinal and toilet articles including aerosols such as hairsprays, perfumes, shaving foams, medicines, drugs and nail varnish.

Corrosive – acids, alkaline, wet-cell batteries, Bluetooth speakers, power banks and remote controllers vinegar, photographic chemicals, mercury or any items containing mercury.

Infectious substances – bacteria, viruses, medical and pathological specimens, except under the IPBS rules

Oxidising materials – bleaching agent, peroxides and chlorate

Poison – Arsenic, Cyanides, insecticides and weed killers.

Explosives - fireworks, sparklers, flares, toy caps and ammunition

Weapons - knives, Khukuris

For more information visit: www.gov.uk/bfpo

5. Use of BFPO to Operate a Business

‘Customers who are operating a business overseas for personal gain, are not authorised to use the BFPO facilities to forward or receive mail items connected with that business. The MOD pays for the transportation of mail to and from overseas by air or surface means. To allow customers to use the BFPO to operate a business for personal gain would constitute an abuse of public funds.

Individuals, who are authorised or choose to operate businesses overseas, are advised to use local civilian post offices to receive or send goods connected with their business, whereby full international rates of postage will be paid.

Should a violation of this Guidance & Direction be suspected, the Chain of Command will be notified and disciplinary action may be taken against offenders’.

Post Office Opening Times

The Post Office opening times is as follows:

Counter Service

Mon – Thu

0900 – 1130 and 1200 – 1430

Fri

0900 – 1130 and 1200 – 1330

Units’ Post Orderly Mail collection and drop off

Mon – Thu

1230 – 1430

Fri

1200 – 1330

Contact information:

For general BFPO enquiries please use the following information

Email: bfpoenquiries@gmail.com

For BFPO mail tracking/ issues, please contact service desk

Email : desbfpo-enquiries@mod.gov.uk
Tel Military: 94676 3450

Tel Civil: +44 (0)345 769 7978 (calls are charged at local rate in the UK)
Alternative: +44 (0)20 8589 3450

Post Office, Chit Chat Community Centre:

Email: BruneiGar-HQ-Post-SNCO
Christopher.Locke173@mod.gov.uk

Phone – (+673) 3224101 ext. 3218

Duty mobile – (+673) 9330239