Angola customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Angola's biggest customs risk is currency: the AGT treats undeclared cash as a serious offence, and officers at Luanda's 4 de Fevereiro airport are known to search bags thoroughly. If you arrive with foreign currency and cannot show a matching declaration when you leave, expect seizure and possible criminal charges.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine or beer. Travellers must be 18 or older.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
Foreign currency equal to or above 10,000 USD (approximately 8,300,000 AOA at the 2026 rate) must be declared on arrival using the customs declaration form. There is no limit on how much you can bring in, but you must declare it. On departure, you cannot take out more foreign currency than you declared on arrival. Local currency (kwanza) is treated separately: up to 50,000 AOA may be brought in or taken out without declaration; amounts above that require authorisation from the Angolan central bank (BNA).
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal goods and gifts up to 800 USD (approximately 660,000 AOA) are duty-free. Anything above that is subject to a flat 50% duty on the value exceeding 800 USD, unless the items are on the prohibited or restricted list.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs)
  • Counterfeit currency and counterfeit goods
  • Pornographic materials
  • Firearms and ammunition without prior authorisation
  • Live animals and birds without a veterinary permit
  • Fresh meat, dairy, and plant products from regions with disease outbreaks

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medicines containing controlled substances (require MINSA authorisation)
  • Satellite phones and communication equipment (require a licence from the Angolan communications authority, INACOM)
  • Drones (require prior authorisation from the Angolan civil aviation authority, INAVIC)
  • Cultural artefacts and antiques (require an export permit)
  • Plants and seeds (require a phytosanitary certificate)

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Luanda's 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, fill out a customs declaration form before clearing immigration. After baggage claim, choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare and are within the allowances; choose the red channel if you exceed any allowance or are carrying restricted goods. Even if you have nothing to declare, you may be selected for a random inspection.

Bringing medication

You may bring personal medication for your own use if you carry a valid prescription or doctor's letter. Angola classifies many common drugs as controlled substances, including codeine, tramadol, and certain sedatives. Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and any medication containing them require prior authorisation from the Angolan health ministry (MINSA). Without it, you risk arrest. Always declare all medication and keep it in its original packaging.

Food, plants & animal products

All meat, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and plants are prohibited or restricted due to biosecurity risks. You must declare any food or plant products. Canned or packaged foods may be allowed in small quantities for personal use, but they are subject to inspection. Failure to declare can result in fines and confiscation.

Rules worth knowing

Currency declaration on arrival and departure

You must declare all foreign currency you bring in if it is 10,000 USD or more. On departure, you cannot take out more foreign currency than you declared on arrival. Keep your declaration receipt — you will need it when leaving.

Flat 50% duty on excess goods

If the total value of your personal goods and gifts exceeds 800 USD, you pay a flat 50% duty on the amount above that threshold. There is no graduated scale — it is a straight 50%.

Strict penalties for undeclared currency

Failing to declare currency above the threshold can lead to seizure of the entire amount, a fine of up to 20% of the undeclared sum, and possible criminal charges. Customs officers at Luanda airport frequently inspect bags for cash.

No duty-free shop on arrival

Unlike many countries, Angola does not have a duty-free shop in the arrivals hall at Luanda airport. Any alcohol or tobacco you want duty-free must be purchased before boarding your flight or at your departure airport.

Frequently asked questions

No, you only need to declare if the total amount of foreign currency you are carrying is equal to or above 10,000 USD (or its equivalent in another currency). However, you must still fill out the customs declaration form and state whether you are carrying currency above that threshold.
Yes, but you must have a valid prescription or doctor's letter, and the medication must be for personal use only. Some common drugs, such as those containing codeine or tramadol, are controlled in Angola and require prior authorisation from MINSA. Always declare your medication to customs.
You will be directed to the red channel and must pay a flat 50% duty on the value of the goods that exceed 800 USD. For example, if you bring goods worth 1,000 USD, you pay 50% on the 200 USD excess, which is 100 USD.
Yes. You can bring in or take out up to 50,000 AOA in local currency without declaration. Amounts above that require authorisation from the Angolan central bank (BNA). Foreign currency is treated separately under the 10,000 USD rule.
No, meat and dairy products are generally prohibited due to animal disease risks. You must declare any food items, and they may be confiscated. Canned or packaged foods may be allowed in small quantities, but it is best to check with the Angolan customs authority before travelling.
Yes. Drones require prior authorisation from the Angolan civil aviation authority (INAVIC), and satellite phones require a licence from the Angolan communications authority (INACOM). Without these, the items will be confiscated and you may face fines.
If you fail to declare currency above the threshold, customs can seize the entire amount, impose a fine of up to 20% of the undeclared sum, and you may face criminal charges. It is a serious offence.

Official source

Angolan Tax Authority (AGT) - Customs Service

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Angolan Tax Authority (AGT) - Customs Service before travelling.