🇹🇴 Import Customs & Duties: Tonga
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$50
Packages under $50, duty free
VAT / Sales Tax
15%
CIF value + duty. Consumption Tax (CT) at 15% on most imports.
Clearance Time
5-14 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-20% | 85 |
| Clothing | 15-30% | 61-62 |
| Footwear | 15-30% | 64 |
| Food & Beverages | 0-30% | 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-5% | 84 |
| Cosmetics | 15-20% | 33 |
| Books | 0% | 49 |
| Toys & Games | 15-20% | 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Customs Clearance Process
Tonga Customs and Trade Division under Ministry of Revenue. ASYCUDA system. CT (Consumption Tax) at 15% on imports. Import duties 0-30%. Paanga (TOP) currency. Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku'alofa is the main port. PACER Plus trade agreement.
What to Actually Expect
Small Polynesian kingdom (~100,000 people). Nuku'alofa port handles most imports. CT at 15% plus duties up to 30%. Imports mainly from NZ, Australia, and Fiji. DHL has limited service. Postal mail 3-5 weeks. Cargo ships from NZ every 2-3 weeks. Outer islands (Ha'apai, Vava'u), add 1-2 weeks via inter-island vessels. Cyclone season (Nov-Apr) disrupts shipping. Recovering from 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami, port infrastructure rebuilt with international aid. Strict biosecurity. Remittances from diaspora (NZ, Australia, US) drive personal imports.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Required for firearms, alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. Ministry of Agriculture quarantine. Strict biosecurity for island ecology.
Certificate of Origin
PACER Plus for Pacific trade. PICTA for regional preferences. General certificates from Tonga Chamber of Commerce.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Popular routes to Tonga
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Tonga?
The duty-free (de minimis) threshold for imports into Tonga is $50. Goods valued below this amount are exempt from customs duties.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Tonga?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Tonga is 15%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Consumption Tax (CT) at 15% on most imports.
How long does customs clearance take in Tonga?
Typical customs clearance in Tonga takes 5-14 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Tonga?
To import into Tonga, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Tonga?
Tonga prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.