Customs Service

You can use this site to find out about:

• Rules and requirements for people, goods and craft entering or leaving the Kingdom of Tonga
• Latest news and information about the Customs Service, including our organisation, structure and objectives
• The legislation that guides how Customs is administered

Who are we

Customs has approximately 75 staff members based in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u.  Nuku’alofa, or Head Office, is made up of the One Stop Shop, Fua’amotu International Airport, Warehousing, Petroleum, Excise Audit Team, Administration, Physical Inspection(Queen Salote Wharf), Boarding, the Customs Shed(Queen Salote Wharf) and the Customs Senior Management Team.  Customs also has mobile staff who undertake random checks of Seaports, Airports and Businesses throughout the Kingdom to ensure they comply with the Customs and Excise Act.

Minister of Customs

The Minister of Finance  is also the Chief Commissioner (or Comptroller General) of Customs.  

Head of Customs

The Commissioner of the Revenue Services Department is the Comptroller of Customs and the Head of Customs is the Collector and also a Deputy Commissioner of Revenue.  Mr Peter Nash is currently the Head of the Tonga Customs Service. 

Organisation Chart

Customs is made up of two sub-divisions, being Commercial Operations and Border Operations.  A Deputy Head is responsible for each sub-division.

Role of Customs

Customs is responsible for protecting Tonga’s borders from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across the border.  

Customs achieves this by:

• Intercepting contraband (such as illegal drugs)
• Checking passengers and their baggage, cargo and mail
• Assessing and collecting all Customs duties including excise
• Protecting Tongan businesses against illegal trade
• Enforcing import and export restrictions and prohibitions
• Collecting accurate import and export data
• Using intelligence and risk assessment to target our physical checks of containers, vessels or passengers
• Conduct investigations and audits, and prosecute offenders.

Customs works closely with Revenue Services, Police Department, Foreign Affairs (Immigration), Defence and, the Ministry of Agriculture Quarantine Service.

Our Mission

Is to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of Customs services and the collection of revenue consistent with the policies of the Government of Tonga and the needs of commerce and industry, emphasizing quality, excellence and equity and, to provide protection to the Tongan community.

Our objectives

• To collect and account for all Customs duties and taxes including all administrative costs due to the Government of Tonga
• To provide efficient, effective and quality services to individuals, commerce and industry, importers and exporters
• To improve the level of compliance
• To deliver Government policies on trade and associated industry and revenue collection policies
• To effectively and efficiently manage the risks associated with the movement of people, goods, vessels, including small craft and aircraft
• To improve the level of detection and interdiction of narcotics, prohibited goods (including parcels post), risk categorized people and unlawful activities at the border
• To participate effectively in national and international efforts to carry out intelligence, surveillance and investigation work to interdict the unlawful movement of people, goods (including parcels post), vessels including small craft and aircraft
• To ensure compliance with international Conventions.

Our Values

 Emphasis on:

Value	Meaning
Integrity	We are diligent and trustworthy in everything we do, and act with courage in pursuit of the best possible outcomes for the Tongan community and the Customs Service
Honesty	We will strive to carry out our tasks with honesty in order to build long-term trust with the community
Respect	We are fair and just and always act with respect for the law and for the rights of others. We value the views and contributions of others and actively seek to engage and collaborate for the benefit of Tonga
Commitment	We are committed to serving the community. We willingly accept the responsibility of helping to keep Tonga safe, secure and prosperous
Responsive	We are responsive to changing needs, and innovative in the way we respond.

Where are we

Head Office	One-stop Shop	Airport	Vava’u
Ports Authority Hala Vuna Nuku’alofa   Ph: 23 651 Fax: 22 108	Ports Authority Hala Vuna Nuku’alofa   Ph: 26 651 Fax: 22 108	Customs Office Fu’amotu Airport     Ph: 35 103	Vehitau Ma’ukie Halaevalu Wharf Neiafu   Ph: 70053 / 70928 Fax: 71273

Executive Management

	Head of Customs Deputy Commissioner of Revenue
Senior Assistant Deputy Commissioner		Senior Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Security

The Tonga Customs Service is working with business on improving import and export security.  It is important that importers and exporters keep up to date with developments.

Customs Advice System to Clients

The Tonga Customs Service publishes Tonga Customs Notices (TCN’s) to advise its clients of changes of practice and new policies. 

Customs also endeavours to work closely with its clients in order to ensure that all clients understand their obligations to Customs law and to also be aware of Customs obligations within that same law.