São Tomé and Príncipe customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

São Tomé and Príncipe's biggest customs trap is the extremely low duty-free goods threshold of just 500 STN (approx. €20 / $22 USD). Most electronics and luxury items will be taxed at 20%. Biosecurity is strict: all food and plants must be declared.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 litres of wine/beer. Must be 18+. No duty-free if under 18. Value limit: up to 500 STN (approx. €20 / $22 USD) duty-free.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

Declare cash or negotiable instruments over €10,000 (approx. 350,000 STN / $10,800 USD) using the customs declaration form. Failure to declare can result in seizure and fines.

Goods duty-free

$800

Duty-free allowance for personal goods and gifts up to 500 STN (approx. €20 / $22 USD) total value. Above that, duty is 20% of the value. This is very low — most electronics or luxury items will be taxed.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, and synthetic drugs)
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (without a permit from the Ministry of Defence)
Pornographic materials (including digital media)
Counterfeit currency and goods
Endangered species and products (CITES-listed items, e.g., ivory, turtle shells)
Radioactive materials and hazardous waste

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medications containing controlled substances (require prior authorization from the Ministry of Health)
Live animals and plants (require import permits and health certificates)
Drones and satellite phones (require approval from the National Communications Authority)
Cultural artefacts and antiques (require export permit from the Ministry of Culture)
Commercial quantities of goods (subject to duty and may require a trading license)

Arriving: red vs green channel

After collecting your luggage, you will pass through customs. There is no red/green channel system; all passengers must present their luggage for inspection if requested. You will fill out a customs declaration card on the plane or at the airport. If you have nothing to declare, simply hand the card to the officer and proceed; if you have goods to declare, present them and pay any duty.

Bringing medication

Personal medications in original packaging with a prescription (in English or Portuguese) are allowed for up to 30 days' supply. Narcotics, psychotropics, and some common Western drugs (e.g., codeine, diazepam) are strictly controlled and require prior authorization from the Ministry of Health. Always carry a doctor's note.

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are generally prohibited without a phytosanitary certificate. Processed and sealed commercial food items (e.g., canned goods, chocolate) are usually allowed in small quantities for personal use. Failure to declare can lead to confiscation and fines.

Rules worth knowing

No Duty-Free for Under 18s

Travellers under 18 years of age are not entitled to any duty-free allowance for alcohol or tobacco. They may still bring personal goods up to 500 STN duty-free.

Very Low Duty-Free Goods Threshold

The duty-free allowance for personal goods is only 500 STN (approx. €20 / $22 USD). Anything above that is subject to 20% duty. This catches many travellers off guard — declare expensive items like laptops or cameras.

Cash Declaration is Strict

You must declare any amount over €10,000 (or equivalent in any currency) on the customs declaration form. There is no penalty for declaring, but failure to do so can result in seizure of the cash and a fine of up to 50% of the amount.

Biosecurity is Enforced

All food, plants, and animal products must be declared. Even a single apple or sandwich can lead to a fine if not declared. The country is free of many pests and diseases, and they take this seriously.

Frequently asked questions

Only if the total value of all your personal goods (including the laptop/camera) is under 500 STN (approx. €20 / $22 USD). Since most electronics exceed that, you will likely have to pay 20% duty on the value above 500 STN. Declare them on the customs form.

There is no limit on bringing in São Tomé and Príncipe dobras (STN), but you must declare any amount over €10,000 (or equivalent) in any currency, including STN. The same applies to foreign currency.

Yes, ibuprofen and paracetamol are allowed in personal quantities (up to 30 days' supply) without a prescription. Stronger painkillers containing codeine or other controlled substances require a prescription and may need prior authorization.

Personal jewellery and watches for your own use are generally allowed duty-free if they are not new and are of reasonable value. If they appear new or expensive, customs may ask you to declare them. It is safest to declare them on the form to avoid any issues.

You risk confiscation of the item, a fine (often 50-100% of the item's value), and possible legal action. Customs officers conduct random inspections and use sniffer dogs. Always declare anything you are unsure about.

Drones are restricted and require prior approval from the National Communications Authority. Without a permit, your drone will be confiscated. Apply at least 30 days in advance through the Ministry of Infrastructure.

You can bring 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine/beer duty-free, but only if you are 18 or older. The alcohol must be for personal use. If you bring more, you will pay duty on the excess.

Official source

Autoridade Tributária de São Tomé e Príncipe (Tax Authority of São Tomé and Príncipe)