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Tonga Customs Head Office in Nuku’alofa Address | Phone number | Email | Working hours
Address: Fe’ao mo e Ngalu Building, Kuini Salote Wharf, Nuku’alofa.
Phone: +676 7400650
Fax: 22 108
Email: info@customs.gov.to
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tonga official Customs Website: www.revenue.gov.to/
Map: View direction here
Inland Revenue & Tax enquiries
Phone: 7400550 or +676 26432
Email: cst@revenue.gov.to
Customs enquiries
Phone: +676 23 651
Email: info@customs.gov.to
Services at Tonga Customs Office
- Border Control
- Cargo Clearance
- Trade Facilitation & Policy
- Enforcement
How to request for Extra or Special Attendance in Tonga Customs?
- If you require the special attendance of Customs Officers at a private premise or outside of normal working hours must make an application in the approved form at least 2 working days in advance.
How to book an appointment in Tonga Customs?
- Visit www.revenue.gov.to/appointment
- Enter your Full name, Email & phone number
- Fill the Purpose of appointment
- Click “Submit”.
Customs Tariffs
- You have to pay processing fee as 15% Taxes Consumption Taxes in addition to duties and taxes.
What are Tonga Customs Fees?
| Areas | Cost |
| Entry Processing fee | $10.00 |
| Attendance Fees | |
| Attendance at Bonded Warehouse | $20.00 |
| per officer per hour outside normal working hours | $20.00 |
| per officer per hour during the weekend or public holiday | $20.00 |
| International Ports and Airports | |
| per officer per hour during normal working hours | free |
| per officer per hour outside normal working hours | $20.00 |
| per officer per hour during the weekend or public holiday | $20.00 |
| inwards or departing clearance during normal working hours | free |
| inwards or departing clearance outside normal working hours | $80.00 |
| inwards or departing clearance during the weekend or public | $100.00 holiday |
| Certificate of Landing | $15.00 |
| Export Cargo Declaration fee | $20.00 |
| Specific Export Goods Fee | $2.00 |
| Warehouse License Application fee | $50.00 |
| Renewal of Warehouse license fee | $500.00 |
| Customs Brokers License Fees | |
| natural person | $200.00 |
| company or partnership | $500.00 |
| Written Rulings Application Fee | $20.00 |
Payment of Tonga Customs duties and taxes
Customs requires payment of duty and taxes on imported goods within 5 working days of the relevant entry processing, unless deferred payment is granted.
Mode of Payments
- Accept only Tongan pa’anga and seniti (bank notes and coins)
- Direct Payment should be done to the cashier at One Stop Shoplocated at our Customs Head Office (cash/business cheques).
- Electronic Payment via an EFTPOS facility are available at the One Stop Shop
- Customs provide a receipt for your payment, you may collect and maintain as part of your records.
Customs Ports of Entry
| Tongatapu | Fua’amotu International Airport (TBU) |
| Nuku’alofa Port (TO TBU) | |
| Vava’u | Lupepau’u Vava’u International Airport (VAV) |
| Nuku’alofa Port (TO TBU) | |
| Eua | Nafanua, Ohonua (TO EUA) |
| Ha’apai | Taufa’ahau Wharf – Pangai (TO HPA) |
How to bring Commercial Crafts inside Tonga?
Advance Notification of Arrival
Commercial crafts must enter Tonga at a designated Customs port, unless prior authorization is granted for arrival at any other location in Tonga.
- Ships: at least 24 hours prior to arrival in Tonga
- Aircrafts: at least 1 hour prior to arrival in Tonga
Advance Submission of Manifests
The person in charge or agent of an aircraft or ship destined for Tonga must promptly provide all relevant information about its arrival, cargo, passengers, and crew.
- Ships: cargo and passenger manifests – Min. 4 hours before to arrival in Tonga
- Aircrafts: cargo and passenger manifests – Min. 1 hour before to arrival in Tonga
Rules to bring Private Crafts to Tonga
Advance Notification of Arrival
The in-charge person (or agent) of an aircraft / ship bound for Tonga must submit all information relating to its arrival and any cargo, passengers and crew aboard the aircraft or ship in advance.
- Ships: Before 24 hours arrival in Tonga
- Aircrafts: Before 1 hour arrival in Tonga
Which items have Duty Free Allowances in Tonga?
- 250 sticks of cigarettes /cigars or 250 grams of tobacco product per adult (18 years and over)
- 25 litres of portable spirits or 4.5 litres of wine or 4.5 litres of beer per adult (18 years and over)
- Personal effects being clothing, footwear and articles of personal hygiene and grooming
- Other goods purchased overseas up to a combined value of TOP$500.00
- Other goods include gifts, souvenirs, electronic equipment, jewelry, watches, sporting equipment.
- Full Customs charges are payable on goods which are not eligible for concession or are in excess of the allowances.
List of Prohibited Imports 3D
- Base or counterfeit or imitation currency
- Fictitious postage or revenue stamps of any country
- Dye, plate, instrument, or materials capable of making coins & Currency
- Counterfeit goods
- Indecent products (books, painting, drawings, cards, lithographic or other engravings, photographs, prints, films)
- Goods bearing the royal Arms of the Kingdom
- Books and any written or printed matter and sounds and visual recordings
- All toxic or hazardous wastes
- Goods the importation of which is prohibited by any other law in force in the Kingdom.
What are the Restricted Imports Products at Tonga?
- Firearms and ammunition except with a license issued in accordance with the law
- Explosives or all kinds including fuses and detonators (according to law)
- Noxious, stupefying or tear gas (form of weapons / instruments)
- The amount of $10,000 paanga (or equivalent) or more in cash.
- Goods the importation of which is restricted by any other law in force in the Kingdom except in accordance with such law.
Private Imports rules and regulations in Tonga
You have to pay duties and taxes for imports of goods for private use (gifts and mail order goods etc). You are advised to furnish Customs with an inventory of your goods, if feasible, to aid in the import clearance process.
Customs Import Entry
To clear goods for home consumption, complete the form and submit all necessary documents, including shipping documents or permits, for processing and payment of duties and taxes.
Form C13 Customs import entry: PrivateESAD@customs.gov.to
Use of a licensed Customs Broker
The Customs recommends a broker to assist in determining tariff classification, value, or permit requirements for exporting goods if they are unfamiliar with the process.
Customs Inspection Forms
Customs inspects imported goods, requiring inspection results on forms and submission of import documents for processing, payment of duties and taxes.
Request for release of seized goods
To request the release of detained or seized goods by Customs, applicants must apply in approved form and provide valid grounds within 30 days of notification.
Export Goods Clearance Information
Export entries and other clearances are a legal declaration to Customs under the Customs and Excise Duty Act, providing details of shipments to be exported.
- Among other offences under the Act.
- Administrative penalties may be applied or prosecution action taken for false declarations.
- All exports from Tonga require a Customs clearance.
- You must complete the following form and submit to Customs with all the required supporting documents, including shipping documents or permits for processing.
Form C12 – Customs Export (Export declaration): ExportESAD@customs.gov.to
Use of a licensed Customs Broker: If you are unfamiliar with how to determine the tariff classification, value or permit requirements for the goods you export, Customs suggests you engage with a Customs broker to lodge export clearances on your behalf.
Restricted exports: Cash, without permits from the appropriate authority /agency
Lodgment Time: All entries must be lodged with Customs prior to goods being loaded for export.
Tonga Customs Office (Inland Revenue Division) in Vava’u
List of Custom offices worldwide
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