Arriving in American Samoa: Airport Customs, Quarantine & Arrival Process

Before you depart for American Samoa, it's essential to check what items are restricted or prohibited so that you don't risk having items confiscated or facing fines upon arrival. American Samoa has strict biosecurity and customs regulations enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Customs Division.

What You Can't Bring into American Samoa

Completely Prohibited Items:

• Illicit drugs and controlled substances
• Handguns (only 12-gauge shotguns and .22 rifles are permitted with proper permits)
• Explosives, incendiary devices, and ammunition without permits
• Copyright or trademark-infringing materials

Items Requiring Permits or Subject to Restrictions:

• Agricultural products such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds and honey
• Prescription medications over 30 days' supply (requires doctor's note, preferably in English)
• Cultural items and handicrafts for commercial purposes
• Business samples or merchandise for trade
• Biological specimens including vaccines, cultures, blood and laboratory equipment

Duty and Tax Thresholds:

• Cash over US$10,000 (must be declared and may incur taxes)
• Tobacco exceeding 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 2 kg of tobacco products per adult (21+ years)
• Alcohol exceeding 1 liter per adult (21+ years)
• Goods with combined value over US$500 (including duty-free purchases and gifts)

Cleaning Your Gear for Arrival in American Samoa

All outdoor and sports equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and free from soil, dirt and biological material to pass through quarantine. The Department of Agriculture will inspect equipment such as:

• Hiking boots and used footwear
• Camping equipment and tents
• Snorkelling and scuba diving gear
• Surfboards and water sports equipment
• Fishing equipment and tackle
• Bicycles and sports gear
• Golf clubs and equipment

Getting Permits for Restricted Items

If you need to bring restricted agricultural items:

• Cost: US$5 permit fee for most agricultural products
• Process: You must have a sponsor/family member in American Samoa apply for the permit on your behalf
• Fine: US$25 penalty if you bring items without the required permit
• Timeline: Allow extra time, as there's no online application system currently available

Health-Related Packing Tips

• Prescription medications: Bring only what you need for 30 days or less to avoid complications
• For longer stays: Obtain a doctor's note in English explaining your medication needs
• Water: Pack water purification tablets or plan to boil tap water, as it's not safe to drink directly from the tap
• Health screening: Be prepared for temperature checks and health questionnaires due to public health issues such as dengue fever.

More Packing Advice for American Samoa

For more tips on what to pack for American Samoa, check out What to Pack for American Samoa: A Full American Samoa Packing List.

On your final flight to American Samoa, either before boarding or on the flight, you'll begin the first part of the customs and quarantine process by completing the American Samoa Government Arrival Form. All arriving travellers must complete this form, which is provided in both English and Samoan.

What Information You'll Need

The form asks for comprehensive personal and travel details, so make sure you have the following information readily available:

Personal Details:

• Full name (first and last/surname)
• Passport number and citizenship/nationality
• Date of birth, gender, and marital status
• Job/occupation and education level

Travel Information:

• Flight/voyage number and carrier name
• Arrival date in American Samoa
• Country of original embarkation and usual residence
• Village or place you'll be staying in American Samoa
• Length of intended stay

Purpose of Visit:

• Whether you're a returning resident, visitor, or in transit
• If visiting, your specific reason (relatives/friends, holiday, business, employment, etc.)
• Accommodation details (hotel/motel or private/family)
• Sponsor or family contact information

Three Key Sections: Customs, Agriculture, and Health

The American Samoa Arrival Form is streamlined in that it combines three government departments into one document:

Department of Treasury - Customs Division

This section asks about prohibited items, cash limits, and dutiable goods. You'll need to declare if you're bringing:

• More than US$10,000 in currency
• Tobacco or alcohol exceeding duty-free limits
• Goods worth over US$500
• Business samples or commercial items

Department of Agriculture - Quarantine Division

You'll answer questions about biological materials including:

• Any food items
• Animals or animal products
• Plants or plant products
• Biological specimens or laboratory equipment
• Whether you've visited farms or rural areas in the past 30 days

Important Tips for Completion

Answer Honestly: All questions must be answered truthfully. If you're unsure about something, it's better to answer "Yes" and explain to the officer rather than risk penalties for false declarations.

Declare When in Doubt: The consequences of not declaring restricted items are more severe than the small fees for permits or duties.

Keep Your Form: Hold onto your completed arrival form until you're asked for it during the border clearance process.

Family Members: If travelling with family, note that you'll need to indicate the number of family members travelling with you on the customs section.

The American Samoa arrival process is thorough but straightforward when you're prepared. Having all the required information ready and answering questions honestly will ensure a smooth entry into the territory.

Once you've landed in American Samoa, you won't be exploring the National Park trails just yet. First up, you'll need to pass through Immigration at Pago Pago International Airport.

The Immigration Process

At Immigration, an officer will ask to see your essential documents:

• Your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months)
• Your Entry Permit/Okay to Board document (obtained through the online visa application process)
• Your completed American Samoa Government Arrival Form

For US Citizens: You have the option to present either a valid passport OR a government-issued photo ID.

What to Expect at Immigration

The Immigration officer may ask you questions regarding the answers you've provided on your arrival form, particularly about:

• Your accommodation arrangements in American Samoa
• The purpose and length of your visit
• Your sponsor or family contact details (if applicable)
• Your onward travel plans

The officer will then review your documentation and determine if any action is required. If everything is in order, your passport and arrival card will be returned to you, and you'll be directed to proceed to the Baggage Claim area, which is located directly behind the Immigration desks.

Important Reminders

No Visa on Arrival: Unlike many destinations, American Samoa does not allow visa applications at the airport. If you arrive without the proper Entry Permit/"Ok to Board" documentation, you will be refused entry and sent back on the next available flight.

Have Your Documents Ready: Ensure all required documentation is easily accessible, as the immigration process moves quickly when you're prepared.

Cruise Ship Passengers

Cruise ship passengers have a streamlined process and typically don't require passport stamps for short-term visits, making their immigration clearance much faster. Check out the American Samoa Entry Permit: Do You Need a Visa to Visit American Samoa? for more information for cruise ship passengers.

Once you have picked up your bags from Baggage Claim, you will go through the final step: the Customs and Quarantine process. In American Samoa, this involves two separate government departments working together to protect the territory's biosecurity and collect appropriate duties.

Your Last Chance to Declare Risk Goods

This is your final opportunity to declare any "risk goods" that you might have in your possession or packed in your baggage. Remember, honesty is always the best policy – the penalties for not declaring items are much more severe than the small fees for permits or duties.

Declarable Items in American Samoa

Declarable items when entering American Samoa include:

Department of Treasury - Customs Division:

• Currency over US$10,000 (cash only – your camera and laptop values don't count toward this limit)
• Tobacco products exceeding 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 2 kg of tobacco per adult (21+ years)
• Alcoholic beverages exceeding 1 litre per adult (21+ years)
• Goods with combined value over US$500 (including gifts and duty-free purchases)
• Firearms (only 12-gauge shotguns and .22 rifles are permitted; handguns are prohibited)
• Business or commercial items, samples, or goods for resale
• Cultural items for commercial purposes
• Prohibited items such as illicit drugs, explosives, or copyright-infringing materials

Learn more about duty-free goods in our guide to The Duty-Free Allowances for American Samoa.

Department of Agriculture - Quarantine Division:

• Food of any kind (including snacks, spices, tea, coffee)
• Animals or animal products (meat, dairy, leather goods, feathers)
• Plants or plant products (seeds, wooden items, plant materials)
• Biological specimens (vaccines, cultures, blood, laboratory equipment)
• Outdoor equipment that may have soil or biological material (camping gear, hiking boots, sports equipment)

Recent Activities:

• Whether you've visited farms, rural areas, forests or had contact with animals in the past 30 days

The Inspection Process

A Customs/Quarantine Officer will:

1. Review your completed American Samoa Government Arrival Form
2. Ask questions based on your declared items
3. Request you put bags through an X-ray machine
4. May ask you to open bags for physical inspection
5. Determine if permits are needed or fees are due

Pro Tips for Smooth Clearance

From what we've experienced, honesty really is the best policy when going through customs. When in doubt, declare everything – the officers genuinely appreciate your transparency and they're there to help guide you through the process.

• Keep receipts for any expensive items you're bringing along. It's a simple way to prove their value and can save you time during inspection.
• Give your outdoor gear a thorough clean before packing.
• Pack any items you've declared in easily accessible spots in your luggage.

Most importantly, be patient with the process. We know it might feel like a bit of a wait, but remember – this careful screening protects American Samoa's incredible and unique ecosystem, and that's definitely worth a few extra minutes.

Don't worry if you need to declare something – not all declarable items are prohibited. Many just need proper documentation or a small fee, and the officers are genuinely there to help ensure both your smooth entry and the protection of American Samoa's natural environment.

If you're completing your American Samoa Government Arrival Form and realise you packed something that might not pass through Quarantine, like snacks, souvenirs, or outdoor gear with soil, don't panic. You have the opportunity to dispose of potential risk items in designated bins before passing through the Customs and Quarantine checkpoint.

It's always better to dispose of questionable items voluntarily rather than risk penalties later.

When You Declare Items Honestly

If you declare an item on your arrival form and the item is not restricted or prohibited for import into American Samoa, you will be allowed to pass through Customs and Quarantine without further action. The officers appreciate your honesty and will guide you through any simple procedures if needed.

For items that require permits or fees:

• Agricultural products: Usually just a US$5 permit fee
• Customs duties: Applied to items over duty-free allowances
• Processing time: Generally quick when items are properly declared

Penalties for Undeclared Risk Items

When passing through Quarantine, if any restricted, prohibited or declarable items are found in your luggage that you have not declared on your American Samoa Government Arrival Form, you may face:

• Immediate penalties and fines
• Confiscation of the undeclared items
• Additional questioning and processing delays
• Potential legal consequences for serious violations (such as undeclared drugs or weapons)

Agricultural items specifically: If you bring agricultural products without the required permits, you'll face a US$25 penalty in addition to the US$5 permit fee.

What Happens to Declared Prohibited or Restricted Items?

If you have honestly declared an item that officials determine is unsafe or prohibited for entry into American Samoa, several options may be available:

Confiscation

The item may be permanently confiscated with no compensation. This typically applies to:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Certain animal products
• Prohibited weapons or drugs

Treatment Options

You may be offered treatment of the item at your own expense, such as:

• Fumigation for wooden items
• Cleaning and certification for outdoor equipment
• Quarantine periods for certain biological materials

Export Back Overseas

Some items can be exported to an overseas address at your own expense rather than being destroyed.

Pay Duties and Complete Forms

For goods subject to customs duties:

• You'll need to pay the required duty tax
• Complete relevant Customs declaration forms
• Provide additional documentation if requested

Special Considerations

Prescription Medications: If you have medications over the 30-day limit, customs will hold them and consult with the Department of Health. Having a doctor's note in English can expedite this process.

Cultural and Business Items: These often require permits and may incur fees if you exceed allowed amounts or fail to declare them properly.

The Bottom Line

Honesty is always the best policy in American Samoa. The territory's isolation makes biosecurity critical for protecting unique ecosystems and public health. Officers are generally helpful and understanding when travellers are honest about their belongings, but penalties for deception can be severe.

When in doubt, declare it – the small fees and minor delays are far preferable to the consequences of trying to bring undeclared items into the territory.

This is it! You have officially entered American Samoa! After pushing your suitcase trolley up a slope and tackling a door that opens in towards you (why did they design Pago Pago Airport this way?!), you'll enter the outdoor Arrivals Area.

Pago Pago Airport Facilities

The next steps to get you started on your American Samoa holiday. Admittedly, there are only a few facilities here, including currency exchange desks and car rental booths, but note that the latter is only open if there are bookings for your flight. Learn more about booking vehicle rentals in What You Need to Hire a Car in American Samoa.

There are a couple of retail stores, as well as airline offices, in the courtyard to your left when facing the car park. It is a good idea to stop by the Samoa Airways office if you're planning on taking a flight to the Manu'a Islands should you need to ask about luggage allowance (it's small) or book tickets. See Domestic Flights in American Samoa: Your Guide to Interisland Flights to learn more.

Information on all of these facilities and services can be found in our guide, American Samoa Arrival Airport: Which Airport to Fly into American Samoa.

Airport Transfers

Finally, taxis, the 'aiga bus and any booked airport transfers typically wait directly at the airport entrance, so you don't have to walk far.

Now, transition into "island time" and enjoy your vacation! Need stuff to do? Check out the 101 Best Things to Do in American Samoa: The Ultimate List LINK#TTD066.