Seychelles once suffered greatly from uncontrolled importation of plants and animals from the mainland. So now, in order to preserve Seychelles' endemics, Seychelles Customs strictly limits the importation of plants, animals and even foodstuffs.
Items You Can Bring into the Country by Air
- Foreign Currency: You can bring any amount of foreign currency into Seychelles without declaration.
- Tobacco Products: If you're over 19, you can bring 400 cigarettes or 0.5 kg of tobacco. Exceeding this limit requires paying a tobacco duty.
- Perfumery: You can carry up to 200 ml of perfume per person.
- Sports Equipment: You can bring sports equipment, provided it doesn't exceed 500 SCR in value. Renting equipment locally may be more convenient for some, such as surfboards.
- Precious Metal Jewelry: The total value of gold, silver, and other valuables you take with you should not exceed 500 SCR.
- Personal Effects: The total value of your luggage should not exceed 3000 SCR.
- Articles Brought in Under Deposit: Musical instruments and portable electronic devices, including cameras, require leaving a deposit at the border when bringing them into Seychelles. The deposit is refunded upon leaving with the same equipment within six months.
- Pets: If you wish to bring a pet to Seychelles, an international veterinary certificate is required. Additionally, you must obtain a permit from the Director General of the local veterinary office, which may involve a quarantine period for your pet.
Prohibited Items for Import into Seychelles
- Weapons: Including various types of guns. This restriction aims to protect Seychelles' wildlife.
- Explosives: Including items like firecrackers and sparklers.
- Poisons, Drugs, and Medications: If you need medication, be sure to have the necessary paperwork to prove its necessity.
- Plant and Animal Products: Items such as tea, seeds, fruits, vegetables, plant shoots, rooted plants, and meat (except canned meat) are not allowed. These restrictions help preserve the local ecosystem.
- Living Birds: The only bird not subject to this restriction is the gray parrot.
Items You Cannot Export from Seychelles
- Coco de Mer Nuts: Exporting Coco de Mer nuts requires a special permit from the Seychelles Environment Division.
- Shells, Corals, Live Fish, and Products Made from Them: To protect the environment, it's best to avoid these items as souvenirs.
- Turtle Shell Items: Seychelles' turtles are protected, and purchasing such items can encourage poaching.
Alcohol Allowance for Import into Seychelles
- You're allowed to bring up to 2 liters of alcohol into Seychelles if you're at least 19 years old.
- There's no specific limit on the amount of alcohol you can take out of Seychelles to your home country, as long as you're over 19. Otherwise, you'll need to leave alcoholic souvenirs behind at customs.
Alcohol Allowance for Export from Seychelles
- There's no specific limit on the amount of alcohol you can take home from Seychelles, as long as you're over 19. Otherwise, alcoholic souvenirs will need to be left behind at customs.
