Papua New Guinea customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• New goods for personal use (not alcohol or tobacco) are duty-free up to a set value, with a lower limit for travelers under 18; check the current amount with PNG Customs before you travel. Family members may pool their allowances, but one expensive item cannot be split across several allowances.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 2 L of alcoholic beverages.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• Up to 1 L of perfume.
• Used personal effects (clothing, a personal camera, laptop, jewelry) for your own use and not for sale.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of local (Papua New Guinea kina, PGK) or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Cash, monetary instruments (including travelers' cheques), precious metals and precious stones with a total value of PGK 20,000 or more (or the equivalent) must be declared to customs on arrival on the Cross-Border Movement of Currency and Valuables (CMCV) report. Failure to report can lead to a fine of up to PGK 50,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and controlled drugs (such as cannabis and cocaine)
• Counterfeit banknotes and coins
• Flick knives and other spring-blade knives
• Silencers for firearms
• Parrots, parakeets and other birds of the parrot family
• Gaming machines other than poker machines (roulette tables, racing machines and similar)
• Non-degradable (HDPE) plastic shopping bags
Restricted
• Firearms, firearm parts and ammunition need the permission of the Commissioner of Police (Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary).
• All foods, plant products and animal products must be declared on the arrival card and presented for quarantine inspection by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA). Dispose of undeclared items in the quarantine bins in the arrival hall.
• Live animals of all kinds (including pets), animal semen and live fish need prior permission from NAQIA.
• Medicines, including prescription drugs, are controlled by the Department of Health. Carry personal medicines in their original containers with a doctor's prescription.
• Skins and plumage of birds of paradise and crowned pigeons need the permission of the Commissioner of Customs.
• Fireworks, pesticides, radioactive substances and vaccines need a permit from the responsible minister.
• Pornographic and other objectionable publications, films and recordings need the permission of the Chief Censor.
• Goods above the allowances and all goods for sale or business use must be declared; commercial goods get no traveler allowance. False declarations can lead to seizure of the goods, fines and prosecution.
• New goods for personal use (not alcohol or tobacco) are duty-free up to a set value, with a lower limit for travelers under 18; check the current amount with PNG Customs before you travel. Family members may pool their allowances, but one expensive item cannot be split across several allowances.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 2 L of alcoholic beverages.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• Up to 1 L of perfume.
• Used personal effects (clothing, a personal camera, laptop, jewelry) for your own use and not for sale.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of local (Papua New Guinea kina, PGK) or foreign currency you may bring in.
• Cash, monetary instruments (including travelers' cheques), precious metals and precious stones with a total value of PGK 20,000 or more (or the equivalent) must be declared to customs on arrival on the Cross-Border Movement of Currency and Valuables (CMCV) report. Failure to report can lead to a fine of up to PGK 50,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and controlled drugs (such as cannabis and cocaine)
• Counterfeit banknotes and coins
• Flick knives and other spring-blade knives
• Silencers for firearms
• Parrots, parakeets and other birds of the parrot family
• Gaming machines other than poker machines (roulette tables, racing machines and similar)
• Non-degradable (HDPE) plastic shopping bags
Restricted
• Firearms, firearm parts and ammunition need the permission of the Commissioner of Police (Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary).
• All foods, plant products and animal products must be declared on the arrival card and presented for quarantine inspection by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA). Dispose of undeclared items in the quarantine bins in the arrival hall.
• Live animals of all kinds (including pets), animal semen and live fish need prior permission from NAQIA.
• Medicines, including prescription drugs, are controlled by the Department of Health. Carry personal medicines in their original containers with a doctor's prescription.
• Skins and plumage of birds of paradise and crowned pigeons need the permission of the Commissioner of Customs.
• Fireworks, pesticides, radioactive substances and vaccines need a permit from the responsible minister.
• Pornographic and other objectionable publications, films and recordings need the permission of the Chief Censor.
• Goods above the allowances and all goods for sale or business use must be declared; commercial goods get no traveler allowance. False declarations can lead to seizure of the goods, fines and prosecution.