Cambodia customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Cambodia's customs risk is not the duty-free allowance — it's the cash and the medicine. Undeclared currency over the threshold can be confiscated in full, and several medicines sold freely in the West are classed as narcotics here, so possession without prior approval can mean detention. If you're unsure about anything, walk the red channel and declare it.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine, beer or other alcohol under 22% ABV. Must be 18+. Anything above that is dutiable at the rate set by the General Department of Customs and Excise.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
USD 10,000 or the equivalent in KHR (roughly 41,000,000 riel at 4,100 KHR/USD) or any other currency. Declare on the Customs Declaration form handed out on the aircraft or at the arrival hall — there is no separate currency form. Amounts below the threshold need no declaration.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal effects and gifts up to USD 800 (about 3,280,000 KHR) are duty-free. Above that, duty is assessed on the excess; typical rates run 7–35% depending on the category, plus 10% VAT. Electronics, luxury goods and alcohol attract the higher end.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances of any kind, including cannabis — Cambodia has no medical or recreational exception and penalties are severe
  • Counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods and pirated media
  • Pornographic material, including printed and digital
  • Weapons, ammunition and explosives without a government permit
  • Live animals and birds without a veterinary import permit
  • Fresh meat, raw dairy and unprocessed plant material without certification

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medicines classed as controlled drugs — need Ministry of Health approval
  • Firearms, knives and replica weapons — require a permit from the Ministry of Interior
  • Drone cameras and radio transmitters — require a licence from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
  • Satellite phones and encrypted communication devices — require prior authorisation
  • Antiques, cultural artefacts and Buddhist relics — export/import permit required

Arriving: red vs green channel

You'll get a Customs Declaration form on the plane or at the arrival hall — fill it in before you reach the checkpoint. Cambodia uses red/green channels at Phnom Penh (PNH) and Siem Reap (REP): green if you have nothing to declare and are under all limits, red if you're over any allowance, carrying over USD 10,000, or carrying restricted goods. If you're unsure, use the red channel — the penalty for a wrong green-channel walk is far worse than a two-minute inspection.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in its original labelled packaging with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter stating the drug, dose and that it's for your personal use. Cambodia classifies many common Western medicines — including some strong painkillers, ADHD stimulants, and certain sedatives — as narcotics under the 2012 Drug Law; importing them without prior written approval from the Ministry of Health can lead to arrest. If you need to bring a controlled drug, contact the Ministry of Health before you travel.

Food, plants & animal products

Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, soil and meat or dairy products must be declared and generally need a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate; most are refused entry without one. Processed, sealed, commercially packaged food for personal use is usually fine. Raw meat and unpasteurised dairy are the most likely to be confiscated.

Rules worth knowing

Cash over USD 10,000 is seized, not just fined

Cambodia treats undeclared currency as suspected money laundering. If you're carrying more than USD 10,000 (or the KHR equivalent) and don't declare it, customs can confiscate the entire amount — not just the excess — and you may face criminal proceedings. Declare it on the arrival form even if you're only transiting.

Cannabis is illegal, full stop

Despite what you may have heard about Cambodia's past, cannabis, CBD oil and edibles are illegal and treated as narcotics. Bringing any in — even a small personal amount — is a criminal offence with prison time, not a fine.

Prescription meds need pre-approval

Several medicines sold freely in Europe, the US and Australia are controlled substances in Cambodia. If you're carrying anything stronger than a standard antibiotic or painkiller, get written approval from Cambodia's Ministry of Health before you fly, and keep it with the medication.

Drones need a licence

You cannot bring a drone into Cambodia without a licence from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. Arriving with one undeclared typically means it's held at the airport until you obtain the permit — which can take days.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You'll be given a Customs Declaration form on the aircraft or in the arrival hall. Complete it before reaching the checkpoint, keep it with your passport, and hand it to the officer. If you have nothing to declare, you still complete the form and use the green channel.
The duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco — you pick one category, you don't combine them. Anything above that is dutiable and must be declared on the red channel; duty plus VAT is assessed on the excess.
Up to USD 10,000, or the equivalent in riel (about 41,000,000 KHR) or any other currency. Above that you must declare it on the customs form. Undeclared amounts over the threshold can be seized in full.
No. Cambodia does not operate a tourist VAT refund scheme, so there's no tax-free shopping refund to claim at the airport. Any VAT you pay on purchases stays paid.
Not without prior approval. Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin, and opioids like codeine or tramadol, are controlled under Cambodian drug law. You need written authorisation from the Ministry of Health before arrival, plus the original prescription and packaging. Without it, you risk arrest.
You'll be pulled aside, the goods assessed, and you'll pay duty plus VAT on the excess — and likely a penalty on top. For undeclared cash over USD 10,000, the entire amount can be confiscated. When in doubt, use the red channel.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants and soil need a phytosanitary certificate and are usually refused without one. Sealed, commercially packaged food for personal use is generally fine. Raw meat and unpasteurised dairy are the most likely to be confiscated.

Official source

General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia before travelling.