CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

One of the following:

• 400 cigarettes; or
• 500 grams of tobacco and tobacco products.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

Both of the following:

• 1 litre of more than 40% alcohol volume;
• 2 litres of fortified, sparkling, or still wine.

Other Goods

• 250mL cologne, shaving cream, or moisturiser.
• 50mL perfume.
• Goods for personal use, such as clothing, books, toys, and toiletries.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Distilled beverages containing harmful essences, such as wormwood, benzoic aldehyde, Badia, ethers, salicilico, and hyssop.
• Explosives.
• Counterfeit copies of literary and artistic works.
• Medicines and food products harmful to public health.
• Pornographic photographs, films, and other media.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Devices for creating alcohol require a permit for import from the Ministry of Commerce.
• Denatured or undenatured alcohol can only be imported with special permission.
• Animal and vegetable products require a certificate of origin and will be subject to inspection on arrival.
• Roots, tubers, bulbs, cuttings, and cuttings require a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Medicines require permission from the Ministry of Health.
• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• Weapons and ammunition requires authorisation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Saccharin and sweeteners require permission from the Ministry of Health.
• Salt requires permission from the National Technical Commission of Salt Iodization.
• Roulette and other games prohibited by law.
• Food products not fit for human consumption.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Products of animal or plant origin require export permission from the Ministry of Livestock Directorate Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Gold and silver require export permission from the government.
• Poisonous or toxic substances requires authorisation from the Ministry of Health.

For further information, please visit Customs of São Tomé and Príncipe.