Timor-Leste customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Timor-Leste's customs service is small, and officers at Dili's Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport enforce the rules strictly. The biggest risk for arrivals is undeclared cash: the country's anti-money-laundering law treats any amount at or above the declaration threshold as a serious matter, and seizure is routine. Duty-free allowances are per adult and modest, and several items that are legal elsewhere — including codeine medicines and cannabis — are controlled or banned outright. When in doubt, walk the red channel; the green channel is only for travellers with absolutely nothing to declare.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 litres of wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages under 22% ABV. Must be 18 or older. Anything above the allowance is subject to duty at the time of import.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
USD 10,000 (approximately EUR 9,200 or AUD 15,300) or the equivalent in any foreign currency, including Australian dollars, euros or Indonesian rupiah. Declare on the Customs Declaration Form handed out on the aircraft or at the arrival hall. There is no local-currency equivalent because Timor-Leste uses the US dollar as its official currency.
Goods duty-free
$800
Personal effects and gifts up to USD 800 in total value are duty-free. Above that, customs may assess duty at rates that vary by item — typically 2.5% to 10% for most consumer goods, with higher rates on luxury items. Keep receipts for anything valuable.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and MDMA
  • Weapons and ammunition, including firearms, explosives and imitation firearms, without prior police permit
  • Pornographic materials, including printed matter, DVDs and digital storage containing explicit content
  • Counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods and pirated media
  • Live animals, birds and raw meat products from countries with animal disease outbreaks
  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds and soil

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Prescription medicines, especially those containing narcotics or psychotropics — require a doctor's letter and may need Ministry of Health approval
  • Drones and satellite phones — require a permit from the Timor-Leste communications authority
  • Firearms and ammunition for hunting or sport — require a police import permit arranged before travel
  • Plants and plant products — require a phytosanitary certificate and import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture
  • Cultural artefacts and protected wildlife products — require CITES permits and export approval from the country of origin

Arriving: red vs green channel

All arriving international passengers must complete a Customs Declaration Form, usually distributed on the plane or available in the arrival hall at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili. After immigration, proceed to customs: use the green channel only if you have nothing to declare and are within all allowances; otherwise use the red channel and present your form and documents. If you have nothing to declare, you still hand in the completed form as you exit.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in its original packaging with a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter. Quantities should be for personal use only, generally no more than a 30-day supply. Narcotics, psychotropic substances and many common prescription painkillers (including codeine-containing medicines) are controlled and require prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health. Do not bring cannabis in any form, even with a foreign prescription — it is illegal in Timor-Leste.

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plant material, seeds, soil, live animals and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs are generally prohibited or restricted due to biosecurity risk. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable foods are usually allowed in small quantities for personal use, but declare them. Failure to declare can result in fines and confiscation.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is strictly enforced

If you carry USD 10,000 or more (or foreign-currency equivalent), you must declare it on the Customs Declaration Form. Undeclared cash can be seized and you may face a fine or prosecution under Timor-Leste's anti-money-laundering laws. This applies to all forms — cash, travellers cheques, and bearer negotiable instruments.

No duty-free shop on arrival

Unlike many international airports, Dili's arrival hall does not have a duty-free shop after customs. Buy your duty-free alcohol or tobacco at your departure airport or on the plane before landing, and make sure it fits within the allowance — otherwise you will pay duty on the spot.

Green channel means absolutely nothing to declare

The green channel is only for travellers with no goods to declare and no cash over the threshold. If you are carrying any restricted item, any food or plant product, or cash above USD 10,000, you must use the red channel. Customs officers can and do search bags randomly.

Alcohol and tobacco limits are per adult, not per family

The 1-litre spirits and 200-cigarette allowances apply to each adult traveller aged 18 or over. Children cannot pool their allowance with parents. A family of four adults can bring four times the allowance, but a family with two adults and two children can only claim the adult allowance twice.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. If you pass through customs — even in transit — and you are carrying USD 10,000 or more, you must declare it. Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area without clearing customs generally do not need to declare, but if you leave the secure area you must complete a declaration.
Codeine-containing medicines are controlled in Timor-Leste. You should carry no more than a 30-day personal supply, keep them in original packaging, and bring a doctor's letter stating the medication, dosage and that it is for your personal use. Without documentation, customs may confiscate them.
There is no limit on the amount you can bring in, but any amount equivalent to USD 10,000 or more must be declared on arrival. There is no restriction on taking USD out either, but the same declaration threshold applies on departure.
You will be directed to the red channel and required to pay duty on the excess. Duty rates vary but expect to pay a percentage of the value. It is often cheaper to buy alcohol locally in Dili than to pay the duty, so consider staying within the 1-litre spirits or 2-litre wine/beer limit.
Commercially packaged, shelf-stable chocolate and hard cheese are usually fine in small quantities for personal use, but you must declare them. Fresh meat, salami, soft cheese and any unpackaged dairy or meat products are prohibited due to biosecurity rules. When in doubt, declare it and let customs decide.
Yes. Drones require an import permit from the Timor-Leste communications authority (ANC) and may also need approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. Arriving without a permit can result in confiscation. Arrange permits before you travel — they are not issued at the airport.
Gifts and personal goods up to USD 800 in total value are duty-free. Above that, duty applies at rates that depend on the item. If you are bringing multiple gifts, keep the total under USD 800 or be prepared to pay duty on the excess.

Official source

Timor-Leste Customs Service (Ministry of Finance)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Timor-Leste Customs Service (Ministry of Finance) before travelling.