Vanuatu customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Vanuatu's biosecurity is strict: all food, plants, wooden items, and animal products must be declared on the Passenger Arrival Card. Undeclared items risk confiscation and fines up to 100,000 VUV (~USD 850). The duty-free allowance is 32,000 VUV per adult, with a flat 15% duty on excess. Cash over 1,000,000 VUV (~USD 8,500) must be declared.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 liter of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 liters of wine or beer. Must be 18+. Duty-free value up to 32,000 VUV (~USD 270).
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$8,500
Declare cash or monetary instruments over 1,000,000 VUV (~USD 8,500) on the Passenger Arrival Card. Failure to declare risks seizure and penalty.
Goods duty-free
$270
Duty-free allowance for new or gift goods up to 32,000 VUV (~USD 270) per adult. Above that, duty is charged at 15% flat rate on the excess value.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Illicit drugs and narcotics (including cannabis, even for medicinal use without approval)
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (unless with a police permit)
  • Pornographic materials (including digital content)
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated items
  • Endangered species products (e.g., turtle shell, coral, ivory) without CITES permit
  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy products (biosecurity risk)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medicines containing controlled substances (require prior approval from Ministry of Health)
  • Plants, seeds, and wooden items (require biosecurity inspection and possible permit)
  • Drones (require a permit from the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority)
  • Satellite phones and radio transmitters (require a licence from the Telecommunications Regulator)
  • Live animals (require import permit and quarantine)

Arriving: red vs green channel

All arriving passengers receive a Passenger Arrival Card on the plane. Fill it out and hand it to the Customs officer at the booth. There is no red/green channel system; everyone goes through a single queue. If you have nothing to declare, simply hand over the card and walk through the 'Nothing to Declare' lane.

Bringing medication

Personal medications in original packaging with a prescription are allowed for up to 3 months' supply. Controlled drugs (e.g., strong painkillers, sedatives) require prior approval from the Vanuatu Ministry of Health. Some common Western medications like codeine-based painkillers are restricted.

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plants, seeds, wooden items, soil, and animal products must be declared. Banned items include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy from most countries. Biosecurity officers may inspect and confiscate undeclared items. Fines apply.

Rules worth knowing

Biosecurity declaration is mandatory

You must tick 'Yes' or 'No' on the arrival card for food, plants, and wooden items. Even a single apple or wooden souvenir must be declared. Undeclared items are confiscated and you may be fined up to 100,000 VUV (~USD 850).

Cash declaration threshold is low

Any cash or monetary instruments over 1,000,000 VUV (~USD 8,500) must be declared. This is lower than many countries' USD 10,000 threshold. Use the Passenger Arrival Card to declare.

Duty-free allowance is per adult, not per family

Each adult traveller gets their own 32,000 VUV duty-free allowance. Families cannot pool allowances. Children under 18 have no personal allowance; their goods are counted under the accompanying adult.

No duty-free shops on arrival

Vanuatu has no duty-free shops at the airport after customs. Buy your duty-free items before arriving or at the departure airport. The allowance applies to goods you bring with you.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All wooden items, including carvings, must be declared on the Passenger Arrival Card. A biosecurity officer will inspect it. If it is untreated or has bark, it may be confiscated. Treated, sealed wood is usually allowed.
Kava is culturally significant but strictly regulated. You may bring up to 2 kg of dried kava root or powder for personal use, but it must be declared and inspected. Commercial quantities require an import permit. Kava from certain Pacific islands may be banned due to pests.
Personal dive gear (used) is generally allowed duty-free as personal effects. If it is new or in original packaging, it counts toward your 32,000 VUV duty-free allowance. Declare it if the value exceeds that.
No. Cannabis, even for medicinal use, is illegal in Vanuatu without specific approval from the Ministry of Health. You cannot bring it in. Leave it at home.
On the Passenger Arrival Card, there is a section for currency. Tick 'Yes' and write the amount in VUV or foreign currency equivalent. Hand the card to the customs officer. You may also need to fill a separate Currency Declaration Form if requested.
Gifts are included in your 32,000 VUV duty-free allowance. If the total value of gifts plus your personal goods exceeds 32,000 VUV, you pay 15% duty on the excess. Gifts must be for personal use, not for resale.
Yes, as long as it is within your alcohol allowance: 1 liter of spirits over 22% ABV or 2 liters of wine/beer. The total value of alcohol plus other goods must not exceed 32,000 VUV duty-free. Declare it on the arrival card.

Official source

Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue

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