Free import
• Your personal baggage, plus goods for personal, non-commercial use or gifts worth up to USD 300 per traveler.
• For travelers aged 17 or older: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (up to 3 g each) or 75 cigars or 30 g of cut tobacco.
• For travelers aged 17 or older: 1.5 L of spirits over 22% alcohol and 5 L of wine.
• 75 g of perfume and 0.375 L of eau de toilette.
• 1 kg of coffee, and 200 g of tea or 80 g of tea extract.
• Medicines in quantities for your personal needs.
• Travelers under 17 may not bring in tobacco or alcohol.
• All travelers must fill in a Customs Arrival Declaration form. Goods above the USD 300 allowance must be declared: goods worth up to USD 1,000 are cleared on the spot with a traveler's declaration (duties are paid by card or at a bank), while goods worth more than USD 1,000 need a commercial import declaration made through a customs broker. Not declaring goods can lead to a fine or prosecution.
Currency
• The US dollar is the currency used in Timor-Leste.
• Cash of USD 20,000 or more (or the equivalent in any other currency) may be brought in only with prior authorization from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL). Apply in writing at least 5 working days before travel (fee USD 100, or USD 300 for urgent requests; email
[email protected]). The authorization is valid for one trip within 20 working days. Declare the cash to customs on arrival and show the authorization.
• Cash of USD 150,000 or more may not be brought in, except by licensed banks or in exceptional cases approved by the BCTL.
• Carrying cash without the required authorization is fined 20% of the amount (up to USD 5,000) and may be treated as a criminal offense.
Prohibited
• Illegal narcotics
• Firearms
• Explosives
• Knives
• Fresh cut flowers
Restricted
• Declare all plant, animal and food items to Customs or Quarantine officers on arrival. Meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, honey, fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, seeds, cereals, unprocessed coffee and spices, and wood products are controlled by the Quarantine Service of Timor-Leste (SQTL) and may need an import permit or certificate.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables must be accompanied by an official phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Live plants are allowed only in limited cases and with a quarantine permit.
• Live animals need a quarantine import permit from the SQTL and a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian. Dogs must have lived in the exporting country for the last 180 days, be permanently identified (for example, by microchip), be vaccinated against rabies (a first vaccination at least 6 months and no more than 1 year before travel, or a booster within the last year), pass a rabies antibody test (at least 0.5 IU/ml) taken 3 to 24 months before travel, be treated for internal and external parasites within 7 days of travel and be examined by an official veterinarian within 48 hours of departure. All imported animals spend at least 14 days in quarantine on arrival, at the owner's expense.
• Some medicines may need a permit from the Ministry of Health.
• Vehicles, plastics and foodstuffs are restricted and may need permits from the relevant government agency.