A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in American Samoa

American Samoa has several supermarkets, particularly on Tutuila, where you'll find popular options like KS Mart and Cost U Less in Tafuna. Supermarkets are well-stocked with brands from the US, and sometimes China, New Zealand and Australia. While they sell fresh food, they don't always have the best quality or prices compared to markets and roadside stalls.

Supermarkets are also resellers to top up at least one of the local phone networks, should you need to top up your phone.

Cost U Less

Cost U Less has a surprising variety of food from the US, New Zealand and Australia. However, everything is in bulk, which isn't good for tourist-friendly quantities. They also import fresh fruit and vegetables, so you have options all year round.

Cost U Less is open from 7 am to 9 pm seven days a week. It is located in Tafuna along Route 014.

TSM Mart

TSM Mart expanded to a two-storey building and has its own butcher department. Just make sure you check all expiration dates on everything you buy!

TSM Mart is open from 6 am to 9:30 pm Monday to Sunday. It is located along Route 014 between the northernmost roundabouts in Tafuna.

KS Mart

KS Mart has random things you wouldn't usually see in a traditional grocery store, too.

KS Mart is open from 6:30 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday. It is located in Tafuna along Route 014, a little further west of Cost U Less.

Forsgren

Open from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Sunday, although it's better for variety goods than food. You will find it in the Laufou Shopping Center in Nu'uuli.

The most abundant type of grocery store you'll find in American Samoa is the small locally or Chinese-run convenience stores.

Found even in the remotest of villages in Tutuila, and are your only option for groceries on the Manu'a Islands. They have a broad yet unvaried selection of most essentials, especially tinned goods, snacks, drinks and mostly non-perishables, cereals, dry goods and toiletries, while their stock of fresh produce is not always available. Most stores are very well stocked, even if they don't have the variety of goods you might be used to.

For speciality goods like diet-specific items, convenience stores are not good for this - see our Gluten-Free Guide.

Not all take credit card, but accept cash or even PayPal. Most convenience stores are also resellers of at least one of the local phone networks, should you need to top up your phone.

Stores have long hours, usually from 6 or 7 am to 9 or 10 pm in Manu'a and from 5 am to 12 am for Chinese-operated stores on Tutuila. The latter are also open on Sunday.

For a list of convenience stores, check out Information, Shops & Services in Pago Pago & Tutuila LINK#D007 and Information, Shops & Services in the Manu'a Islands.

If you don't mind doing your food shopping a bit spontaneously, stopping at the roadside stalls for fresh fruit, vegetables or even fish and cooked food, provides you with some of the best quality and best-priced food on the islands. Needless to say, these vendors only accept cash.

Markets in American Samoa

American Samoa has just one market: Fagatogo Market.

Fagatogo Market

This very small market is the best place in town for local fruit and vegetables. You'll find it along Route 001 opposite the High Court in Fagatogo, which is the main town in the Pago Pago Harbor.

Fagatogo Market is open from 5:30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, and from 4 am to 4 pm Saturday.

Roadside Fruit and Vegetable Stalls in American Samoa

Admittedly, better options for local fruit, vegetables and even fish can be found along Route 001 between the villages of Pava'ia'i and Nu'uuli. There are several stalls with produce under wooden structures that usually offer the best variety.

Park safely on the side of the road when visiting these roadside stalls. Cash only.

There are no markets in the Manu'a Islands. Fresh fruit is usually grown by locals on their own land.

Some travellers bring their own food from home, but as a remote island with a fragile ecosystem, American Samoa follows strict biosecurity rules that require declaring all food items for inspection. While some foods pass through easily, others need import permits.

Do You Really Need to Take Food to American Samoa?

Before packing your cooler, consider whether you really need to bring food to American Samoa.

As you've seen from this guide, American Samoa has plenty of local stores and supermarkets available. Prices are only marginally more expensive than the U.S. due to import taxes and shipping costs, but we've found that prices are similar or sometimes cheaper than Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. See food costs in American Samoa Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to American Samoa Cost? LINK#TT008

Unless you have essential snacks or special dietary needs (although, check American Samoa for Vegans & Vegetarians and The Gluten-Free Guide to American Samoa may help you out), we don't recommend using precious luggage space for food.

Tips for Taking Food to American Samoa

If bringing food to American Samoa:

• Declare on your Government Arrival Form if taking any food, even if allowed
• Write a list of all food items to show Customs and Quarantine officers for quicker processing
• Pack food in check-in luggage, not carry-on
• Ensure all food is commercially packaged with clear country of origin labelling
• Submit items requiring inspection to biosecurity officers after baggage collection

What Food Can You Bring to American Samoa?

Although clearly labelled packaged food can be brought into American Samoa without issue, American Samoa has its own agricultural import regulations managed by the Department of Agriculture. Many food items can be brought in with proper permits and declarations, though bringing food will slow down the arrival process.

Items Requiring Declaration and Permits:

All agricultural products must be declared, including meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, honey, nuts, spices, coffee, tea and cocoa.

Permit Process:

• Cost: A small fee per permit
• Processing time: Approximately one week
• Important: You must have a family member or contact in American Samoa apply for the permit on your behalf
• Fines are given for not having the required permits

American Samoa has a more permissive system where most items can be brought in with the proper permit, rather than being prohibited outright. However, the processing time is not worth the effort for most visitors.