Tuvalu

Tuvalu Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Commerce

Address: Vaiaku, Fanafuti

Telephone: (+688) 20182

Fax: (+688) 20829

Tuvalu is a Polynesian island country located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. Tuvalu is a member of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) and the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA).

Tariffs

Since a single-line tariff was implemented, trade preferences are no longer granted to imports from Commonwealth countries. Tariffs, applying mostly to private imports, are levied as a source of revenue. Most duties are ad valorem, with specific duties on alcoholic beverages, tobacco, certain chemicals, petroleum, cinematographic film, and some other goods.

Restriction on exportation of certain goods

No person shall export or attempt to export any warehoused goods, or goods liable to duties of customs transferred from an importing aircraft or ship, or goods entitled to drawback on exportation (not being wines, spirits, tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, or cigarettes), nor shall enter or attempt to enter any such goods for exportation in any ship of less burden than 35 tons, unless the Customs Officer shall otherwise allow.

List of Prohibited Imports

1. Coin and currency counterfeit

Base or counterfeit coin, or imitation currency or bank notes of any country.

2. Food unfit for consumption

Articles of foods intended for human consumption declared by the competent sanitary authority to be unfit for such purpose.

3. Indecent articles

Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings or any other indecent or obscene articles.

4. Infected cattle etc.

Infected cattle, sheep or other animals, or carcasses thereof, and hides, skins, horns, hoofs or any other part of cattle or other animals which may be prohibited by order of the Minister to prevent the introduction or spread of any communicable disease.

5. Matches

Matches containing white or yellow phosphorus.

6. Merchandise marks

All goods of foreign manufacture bearing any name or trade mark being or purporting to be the name or trade mark of any manufacturer, dealer or trader in Tuvalu or the United Kingdom , unless such trade name or trade mark is accompanied by a definite indication of the country in which the goods were made or produced.

7. Opium prepared

Prepared opium and pipes or other utensils for use in connection with the smoking of opium or the preparation of opium for smoking.

8. Royal Arms

Goods bearing the Royal Arms of Great Britain or arms so closely resembling the same as to be calculated to deceive unless the manufacturer of such goods holds Her Majesty’s authority to use them in connection with his trade, business, calling or profession.

9. Shaving brushes

Shaving brushes manufactured in or exported from Japan, China, Hong Kong, India, Ceylon or the Philippines Islands, and all goods packed in the same inner container as such shaving brushes.

10. Stamps

Fictitious stamps and any die, plate, instrument or materials capable of making any such stamps.

11. Rick knives, gravity knives and knuckle dusters

12. Imitation firearms

Imitation firearms so closely resembling firearms as to be calculated to deceive.

13. Gaming machines

Machines for playing games of chance, being games which require no action by any player other than the actuation or manipulation of the machine.

Sources:

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=197527#LinkTarget_896

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=197527

http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABT716.pdf