Palau customs rules & duty-free allowances
Palau is a small island nation that uses the US dollar and enforces some of the Pacific's strictest biosecurity and drug controls. Every arriving bag is X-rayed and frequently opened at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, and there is no green channel to walk through. The biggest risk for travellers is undeclared food, plant material or prescription medicine: Palau's isolation protects its farms and reefs with quarantine rules, and several common Western drugs are controlled or banned outright.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic drugs, including cannabis, kava and kratom in any form
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives without prior written approval from the Palau government
- Pornographic material, including any material deemed obscene under Palau law
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and honey from most countries (biosecurity ban)
- Live animals, birds, reptiles and insects without a permit
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Prescription medicines — allowed only with a valid prescription and, for controlled drugs, prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health
- Plants, seeds, soil and cut flowers — require a phytosanitary certificate and declaration
- Drones — must be declared; recreational use requires a permit from the Palau Aviation Authority
- Satellite phones and two-way radios — require a licence from the Palau National Communications Corporation
- Alcohol and tobacco above the duty-free allowance — allowed but dutiable and must be declared
Arriving: red vs green channel
There is no red/green channel at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport — all arriving passengers pass through a single customs line after immigration. You must complete the Palau Customs Declaration form (distributed on the plane or available in the arrival hall) and hand it to the officer, even if you have nothing to declare. Bags are X-rayed and frequently opened; if you are unsure whether an item is allowed, declare it and ask rather than risk a fine.
Bringing medication
Bring personal prescription medication in its original labelled container with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter; declare it on the customs form. Palau controls narcotics, psychotropics and several common prescription drugs — codeine, tramadol, diazepam and some ADHD stimulants require prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health. Do not bring kava, kratom or cannabis in any form; they are illegal and carry heavy penalties.
Food, plants & animal products
Palau is strict on biosecurity because of its isolated agriculture and reefs. All food, plants, seeds, soil, cut flowers and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and honey are generally prohibited or restricted; commercially packaged, shelf-stable snacks are usually allowed but still must be declared. Failure to declare can result in immediate fines and confiscation.
Rules worth knowing
No green channel — everyone is inspected
Unlike most countries, Palau does not operate a red/green channel system. Every arriving passenger goes through the same customs line, and officers routinely open bags. Declaring nothing does not mean you will not be searched.
Reef-safe and biosecurity rules are enforced
Palau bans many food and plant items to protect its reefs and farms. Even a single apple or a packet of seeds in your bag can trigger a fine. If in doubt, declare it — the penalty for not declaring is far higher than for declaring.
Controlled medicines catch travellers out
Several common Western prescription drugs — including codeine-based painkillers and some anxiety medications — are controlled in Palau. Carry a doctor's letter and the original packaging, and declare them on arrival. Without documentation they can be seized.
Departure tax is included in your ticket
Palau's USD 100 departure tax (the 'Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee') is normally bundled into your airline ticket price. If it is not, you will need to pay it at the airport before check-in — keep some cash or a card handy.