The Duty-Free Allowances for Vanuatu + The Best Duty-Free Stores

Each passenger arriving in Vanuatu is entitled to a certain amount of duty-free goods. Here is a quick breakdown of allowances for duty-free goods each passenger can bring into Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Duty-Free Allowance for Alcohol

Each passenger aged 18 and over can bring the following quantities of duty-free alcoholic beverages into Vanuatu:

• Alcohol not exceeding 2.25 litres of spirits, 2.25 litres of wine, or 9 litres of beer.

Vanuatu Duty-Free Allowance for Tobacco and Cigarettes

Each passenger aged 18 and over can bring the following quantities of duty-free tobacco or cigarettes into Vanuatu:

• 250 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 25 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco

Vanuatu Duty-Free Allowance for Cologne and Perfumes

• 250 mm of cologne or 100 mm of perfume.

Other Duty-Free Allowances

Each passenger may also bring other dutiable goods purchased from overseas into Vanuatu, such as gifts, souvenirs, electronic equipment, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment, as long as the combined value of the goods does not exceed VT$50,000.

The goods must be with you and intended for personal use. This does not include alcohol and tobacco, which have their own allowances (see above).

For more information, check out the official source at the Vanuatu Customs & Inland Revenue website.

Vanuatu is a duty-free haven that extends far beyond the airport terminal. You can browse and purchase duty-free goods right in town (especially in Port Vila) and collect them at the airport on departure - more on how all that works is detailed in the section below.

We should mention that there's no duty-free shopping at Santo Airport, and we didn't spot any open stores in Luganville during our last visit (there used to be some, but they've since closed).

Duty-Free at Bauerfield International Airport

Bauerfield International Airport houses Vanuatu's main duty-free outlet in the International Departure Lounge, but you will also find a Paris Shopping duty-free outlet in arrivals before passing through Customs. You'll find the essentials here: alcohol, tobacco and souvenirs to grab before your flight.

The airport also features several other shops worth browsing:

• Paris Shopping Duty Free stocks spirits and alcohol (including 83 Islands products), local chocolates and plenty of Vanuatu-made goodies. They have stores in both the Arrivals and Departures areas.
• You'll also find Ten, which specialises in clay hand-painted pottery, jewellery and high-end handmade goods, perfect for those last-minute quality purchases.
• Organic Paradise Store stocks a variety of food and craft products, including their own Vanuatu-made spices.

Duty-Free Shopping in Port Vila

For a much wider selection of duty-free and tax-free shopping, head to downtown Port Vila, where several retailers sell imported goods without VAT. This is where the real treasure hunting begins.

Popular stops include Paris Shopping Duty Free and Fung Kuei Duty Free for alcohol and fragrances, though each offers its own unique selection.

Fung Kuei Duty Free

Fung Kuei Duty Free is one of Vanuatu's premier duty-free retailers with an extensive range of international products alongside select local items.

The store boasts a comprehensive liquor selection with what they claim to be the widest range of whiskies available in Vanuatu, plus wines and spirits that'll make any connoisseur happy.

Beyond alcohol, you'll discover popular international brands including Lego products, Nike merchandise, American Tourister bags, jewellery and luxury watches, including Rolex. The store also stocks beauty products like perfumes and designer sunglasses, as well as cigarettes, confectionery and sweets.

Whilst the majority of merchandise consists of international brands, Fung Kuei also carries some local Vanuatu products including coffee and vanilla, giving you a chance to take home local flavours alongside your duty-free bargains.

Paris Shopping Duty Free

You'll find Paris Shopping Duty Free along the main road in downtown Port Vila, where they're dedicated to providing excellent service and competitive prices on genuine brands only.

Their impressive inventory includes spirits and alcohol, local chocolates and loads of Vanuatu-made products. You'll also discover original perfumes and cosmetics, bags, Lladró figurines, crystal, cigarettes, cigars, wine, spirits and liqueurs.

83 Islands Distillery

Located near Second Lagoon, 83 Islands Distillery is not an official "duty-free" store but it is worth mentioning that they offer all their spirits duty-free right at the source. It's a brilliant way to sample and purchase their premium products after taking their popular Distillery Tour.

They also stock a few local gifts like organic spices, coffee and confectionery, should you want to pick up something else during your visit.

Duty-free shopping in Vanuatu works differently depending on whether you're flying or cruising, and trust us, understanding the system can save you serious money on your purchases.

Duty-Free in Vanuatu for Flight Passengers

Here's something that catches many travellers off guard: when you buy duty-free items as a flight passenger, you won't walk out of the store with your goodies immediately.

Instead, the store takes your passport and flight details, then delivers everything to the airport for collection when you're departing the country. You'll need to show your receipt and passport at the airport's duty-free counter to claim your items.

Duty-Free in Vanuatu for Cruise Passengers

The process is quite different if you're on a cruise ship.

Whilst alcohol and cigarettes get labelled and held by ship staff (to prevent passengers from getting a bit too merry before departure), other duty-free items can be taken immediately and enjoyed on board once the ship sets sail.

How Long Before Departure Can You Buy Duty-Free Goods in Vanuatu?

Duty-free stores in Vanuatu must deliver goods to cruise ships at least three hours before departure. If you shop within three hours of your ship's departure, you'll need to lug everything yourself.

For those departing by flight, at least the day before departure is the very last time you can buy duty-free goods. This allows the store to deliver your items to the airport on time. Don't try to buy duty-free goods on the day of departure.

The tax savings from duty-free shopping are genuinely substantial, and you'll love the difference it makes to your wallet.

Local taxes in Vanuatu include VAT, duty and various other levies that can add up to at least 50% to the regular retail price. Duty-free prices represent the final cost without these additional taxes, meaning you're getting genuine value for money.

Essential Tips for Tourists

Shop Early, Not Late: The most common mistake we see tourists make is leaving duty-free shopping until their departure day. We personally recommend planning to shop at least a day before your departure to ensure smooth delivery and pickup.

Know Your Home Country Limits: Before making purchases, check your home country's duty-free allowances for items like cigarettes and alcohol.

Bring Proper Documentation: Always have your passport and flight itinerary or cruise ticket readily available when shopping duty-free. Trust us, it makes the whole process much smoother.

What are the questions that travellers ask about duty-free allowances in Vanuatu? These answers might help answer yours!

How Many Cigarettes Can You Take into Vanuatu?

You can take up to 250 cigarettes into Vanuatu, as per the duty-free allowance for tobacco in Vanuatu.

How Many Bottles of Wine Can I Take to Vanuatu?

Considering a standard bottle of wine is 750 ml (25 oz), you can bring upto three bottles of wine into Vanuatu without paying duty. The duty-free allowance for wine is 2.25 litres (76.1 fl. oz).