How Much "Duty-Free" Can You Bring into the Marshall Islands?
What’s a holiday without a few drinks? Many of us try to get a bargain by purchasing our favourite drinks or tobacco from duty-free stores in airports on the way to the Marshall Islands.
Be aware, however, that the Marshall Islands has limits on how many duty-free goods can be brought into the country, including allowances on alcohol and tobacco. There are also rules for declaring cash and restrictions on some items, so it pays to know before you pack.
In this guide, we’ll go through the duty-free allowances for the Marshall Islands.
This article is based on real on-the-ground research, not on AI scraping old content from the internet. Learn how we use AI!
Table of Contents
How to Declare Your Duty-Free Goods When Arriving in the Marshall Islands
So, we’ve established there are allowances for the number of duty-free goods you can bring into the Marshall Islands, but how do they check?
First, you should declare any duty-free goods that exceed the allowance when you arrive in the Marshall Islands. This is usually done through the arrival process, either on your Declaration Card or when asked by a customs officer.
You may then be asked by a customs officer how many alcohol or tobacco products you have with you.
Your luggage may also be checked when going through customs, especially through an X-ray machine.
Note that you only need to declare the duty-free goods that you are bringing into the Marshall Islands if they exceed the allowance (see below for the Marshall Islands duty-free allowances). If you are unsure, it’s best to declare them anyway; if it turns out that your duty-free items are below the allowance, then you’ll be allowed to keep them without paying duty.
Not declaring your goods that exceed the allowance could result in a fine or seizure of goods, which we outline in our guide, Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Quarantine & Arrival Process.
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Duty-Free Allowances for the Marshall Islands
Each passenger arriving in the Marshall Islands 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 the Marshall Islands.
Marshall Islands Duty-Free Allowance for Alcohol
Each passenger aged 18 and over can bring the following quantity of duty-free alcoholic beverages into the Marshall Islands:
- 67.6 fl oz (2 L) of distilled alcoholic beverages that are not intended for sale
Marshall Islands 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 the Marshall Islands:
- 15 packs of cigarettes
- 75 cigars
- 8 oz (227 g) of smoking tobacco
Other Items to Declare
Travellers are permitted to bring in clothing, toiletries, personal jewellery and medicinal preparations with a combined value of up to US$300, as well as gifts with a combined value of up to US$300.
Any cash exceeding US$10,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency must be declared on arrival.
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Is There Duty-Free Shopping in the Marshall Islands?
There is no duty-free shopping in the Marshall Islands. Unlike larger international hubs, you won't find any duty-free stores at the airport or elsewhere in the country.
If you're hoping to pick up duty-free goods, plan to do so before you arrive, whether at your departure airport or on eligible international flights. You can see what shops are available at the airport (though none are duty-free) in our Departure Guide.
For souvenirs and everyday items, local shops and markets are your best bet, but all purchases are subject to regular sales tax. Worth noting: each atoll has its own sales tax rate. Learn more in our Tax and Tipping Guide.
As always, any alcohol or tobacco you bring into the Marshall Islands must stay within the standard duty-free allowances set for incoming travellers.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Duty-Free Allowances in the Marshall Islands
What are the questions that travellers ask about duty-free allowances in the Marshall Islands? These answers might help answer yours!
How Many Cigarettes Can You Take Into the Marshall Islands?
You can take up to 15 packs of cigarettes into the Marshall Islands, as per the duty-free allowance for tobacco in the Marshall Islands.
How Much Smoking Tobacco Can You Take Into the Marshall Islands?
You can take up to 8 oz (227 g) of smoking tobacco into the Marshall Islands without paying duty.
How Much Alcohol Can You Take Into the Marshall Islands?
Travellers aged 18 and over can bring up to 67.6 fl oz (2 l) of distilled alcoholic beverages into the Marshall Islands without paying duty.
How Many Bottles of Wine Can I Take to the Marshall Islands?
Considering a standard bottle of wine is 25.4 fl oz (750 ml), you can bring up to two standard bottles of wine into the Marshall Islands without paying duty.
The duty-free allowance for alcohol is 67.6 fl oz (2 l), so always check the bottle size before you pack.
Do I Need to Declare Cash When Entering the Marshall Islands?
Yes, you must declare cash in any currency worth more than US$10,000 when entering the Marshall Islands.
Can I Bring Fruit, Plants or Animals Into the Marshall Islands?
Birds, animals, fruit and plants are restricted items and need certification from the Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Resources and Development before arrival.
Learn more about this process in the Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Quarantine & Arrival Process.
What Items Are Prohibited From Being Brought Into the Marshall Islands?
Firearms, ammunition and drugs are prohibited from being brought into the Marshall Islands.
Again, a more comprehensive list can be found at the link above.
More About Duty-Free Allowances for the Marshall Islands
That's it for our guide to duty-free allowances for the Marshall Islands. For more information about arrival procedures and more information about the Marshall Islands, check out the following articles:
- Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process
- Where is the Marshall Islands Located?
- Marshall Islands Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to the Marshall Islands Cost?
Finally, if there's anything we've missed, you're likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to the Marshall Islands.
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