DISCRETIONARY CUSTOMS PERSONAL ALLOWANCES: Provided that it is properly declared to Customs, ship’s crews and passengers of 18 years or older may retain for their personal consumption ON BOARD their vessel whilst it is in port the following quantities of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products:
200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 grammes of tobacco, AND
2 litres Wine AND
1 litre Spirits OR 2 litres Spirituous Beverages OR Fortified Wine AND
10 litres Beer
Crew having in excess of the above must arrange for it to be secured in the ship’s bonded store.
Additional Information
1) CITES: The Falkland Islands conforms with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. (See terms and definitions).
2) Plants: Import Permit from the Falkland Islands’ Department of Agriculture and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin required, except for seeds. Imports must be soil free.
Bio Security (restrictions on the importation of plant and animal products)
The Falkland Islands are extremely fortunate in that they are free from most of the serious animal and plant diseases that affect many other parts of the world. The Government and people of the Falkland Islands would like this favourable situation to continue into the future. Your assistance is requested in ensuring that unwanted diseases of either plants or animals are not inadvertently introduced into the Islands by the illegal importation of certain types of animal and plant products. The general rule is that no live animals, animal products (eg meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and also includes all soil, seed and animal feed), can be brought ashore from ships either for personal consumption or as a gift for someone based ashore.
Clothing, and in particular footwear, which will be worn whilst ashore must be clean and free of soil.
If you are in any doubt about whether you can bring something ashore then don't bring it ashore until you have first contacted either the veterinary section of the Department of Agriculture (for animal products) or the Agronomy section of the Department of Agriculture (for plant products). The contact telephone numbers for the 2 sections are given below:
Veterinary Service: 27366
Agronomy section: 27355
Staff will be available to answer your queries between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday and the veterinary service can also be contacted on the above number at weekends (although only if absolutely necessary).
Inter-island bio-security
Invasive pests - e.g. rats, earwigs, thistles - are present on some but not all islands in the Falkland Islands. Efforts have also been made to eradicate some pest species such as rats from critical islands. Islands that are free from rats, mice and cats are home to several important native species which are not found elsewhere in the islands due to the pressures placed on them by pests. It is therefore even more critical that extra precautions are taken to avoid the introduction of invasive species when visiting these unique and fragile environments. These islands include Kidney, Lively, North-East, Sea Lion, Beauchene, George, Barren, Speedwell, Bird, Second, Third and Forth Passage, Middle, Hummock, Gidds, Carcass and the Jason Group. Always seek landowner’s permission before landing. Contact Environmental Planning Department or Falklands Conservation for more information.
Remember it is forbidden to bring ashore food items already mentioned in the prohibited list, even if for personal use. An accidental introduction of a disease brought in on food sourced outside of the Falkland Islands ( a packed lunch for example) could cause severe harm to the wildlife, environment and economy of the Islands.
Firearms and Ammunition: Import licence from the Falkland Islands Police Authority required. Weapons taken from passengers prior to embarkation for safe stowage in the aircraft must be returned to passenger by a responsible officer of the airline or handling agent in the presence of an officer of customs. Small arms ammunition must be packaged separately from firearms.
Meat, Poultry and Dairy Produce: Import licence from the Falkland Islands’ Department of Agriculture and veterinary/sanitary certification issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin required.
Prohibited: Narcotic substances; pornographic or obscene material including books, films and video tapes; counterfeit goods including coin and stamps.
Pets, Other Animals, Birds and Eggs for Hatching: Import licence from Falkland Islands Agricultural Authority and health certification issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin is required. Animals must be carried in a “nose and paw proof crate or container” as manifested cargo covered by an Air Waybill. Prior advice by facsimile to the Department of Agriculture is mandatory prior to shipment. Note: Live animals, birds and eggs of certain types or origin are prohibited.
Yachts are advised to anchor off if animals are carried on board.
Garbage or refuse of any kind is not to be thrown overboard in territorial waters and should be stored in a satisfactory manner.
Untreated Animal Hides and Skins and Derivative Products: must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin.
WARNING: False declaration or unlawful importation of any goods may result in heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
In relation to narcotic substances, no exceptions are made for personal use quantities.
Currency
Import and Export: Local currency (Falkland Islands Pounds), Great Britain Pounds and foreign currencies. No restrictions.