Samoa customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Samoa is a biosecurity-first country: every bag is screened on arrival and undeclared food, plant or animal material can draw an on-the-spot fine, so declare anything edible or organic even if you think it's harmless. Customs here is also unusually strict on kava, firearms and 'imported' cultural items, and the green/red channel is enforced rather than waved through.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits or wine (or 2 litres of beer) per adult, duty-free. Anything above that is dutiable at the standard rate. Must be 18+.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
Declare if you carry WST 25,000 or more (about USD 9,000–10,000) in cash or bearer negotiable instruments. Declare on the arrival card and to a Customs officer at the red channel; there is no separate form unless asked.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal effects and gifts up to WST 2,000 (about USD 800) are duty-free. Above that, duty and VAT (15%) apply to the excess at the normal tariff rate for the goods.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and controlled drugs, including cannabis and CBD products
  • Firearms, ammunition and explosives without a Samoan permit
  • Fresh meat, dairy and most animal products from countries with animal disease
  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and soil
  • Pornographic material and items offensive to Samoan custom
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated media

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Prescription medicines — declare and carry documentation
  • Kava — restricted; check quantity and permit requirements before arrival
  • Drones — require permission from the Samoan authorities
  • Satellite phones and radio transmitters — require a licence
  • Cultural artefacts and handicrafts — may need an export/import permit

Arriving: red vs green channel

Faleolo International Airport uses the standard red/green channel. Fill in the arrival card (including the customs and biosecurity questions) before you reach the hall, then walk through green if you have nothing to declare and red if you have goods, food, plants, cash over the threshold or anything restricted. If you are unsure, go red — officers would rather inspect than find it undeclared.

Bringing medication

Bring personal prescription medicine in its original labelled packaging with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter; keep it to a reasonable personal supply (typically up to 3 months). Declare all medicines on arrival. Controlled drugs, including cannabis and CBD products, are illegal in Samoa without a permit — do not bring them, even with a foreign prescription.

Food, plants & animal products

Samoa bans most fresh food, plants, seeds, soil, meat and dairy from arriving baggage. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable food is generally allowed but must be declared. Any fresh fruit, vegetable, plant cutting, seed, honey or animal product will be seized or require a biosecurity permit — declare it and let the officer decide.

Rules worth knowing

Biosecurity declaration is mandatory

Samoa treats food and plant matter as a quarantine risk. Even a packaged snack or a piece of fruit in your bag must be declared. Undeclared biosecurity items attract an instant fine at the airport.

Kava is not a free-for-all

Kava (ava) is culturally important but its import is controlled. Bringing in commercial quantities without a permit can lead to seizure; keep any personal supply small and declare it.

Sunday arrival and alcohol

Samoa observes a Sunday alcohol sale restriction. Duty-free alcohol bought on arrival on a Sunday may be held or refused — check before you buy.

Cash and bearer instruments

The WST 25,000 threshold covers cash and traveller's cheques. If you are carrying it, declare it on the arrival card and expect to explain the source and purpose.

Frequently asked questions

Almost all fresh food is banned. Commercially sealed, shelf-stable items like biscuits, tea or chocolate are usually fine but must be declared. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, honey and seeds will be confiscated or require a biosecurity permit.
Yes, there is a small duty-free shop after immigration, but the allowance is only 1 litre of spirits or wine (or 2 litres of beer) and one tobacco allowance per adult. If you buy more, you must declare it and pay duty.
Yes. Declare all medicines on the arrival card and carry them in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. Controlled drugs, including cannabis and CBD, are illegal without a Samoan permit.
Biosecurity officers screen bags and can issue an on-the-spot fine. Undeclared food, plants or animal products are seized and destroyed, and you may face a penalty. Declaring costs nothing; not declaring can be expensive.
Kava is restricted. Small personal amounts for cultural use are generally tolerated if declared, but commercial quantities require a permit. Check with Samoan Customs before you travel if you plan to bring more than a token amount.
There is no limit, but you must declare if you are carrying WST 25,000 or more (about USD 9,000–10,000) in cash or bearer instruments. Declare it on the arrival card and be ready to explain where it came from.
Drones require permission from the Samoan authorities. Do not bring one without prior approval; undeclared drones can be seized at the border.

Official source

Samoa Customs and Revenue

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Samoa Customs and Revenue before travelling.