Samoa: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Visitors to Samoa, with the exception of citizens of the People’s Republic of China, do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. Upon entry, however, a return or onward ticket and a passport valid for more than six months must be presented. Anyone who wants to stay more than 30 days or is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China must apply for a visa. The visa must be applied for at the embassy or consulate. The responsible embassy for Germans and EU citizens is in Brussels.
The import of animals and plants requires the prior approval of the competent authority in Apia.
Import and export of foreign currency
There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency. However, the local currency is not allowed to be exported.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
It is forbidden to import pornographic material or prescription drugs.
Duty-
free The import of 200 cigarettes or 250 g tobacco or 50 cigars and 1 liter of spirits is duty- free.
Entry with pets
For the owners of dogs and other animals, when traveling abroad, the question arises whether they can take their animals with them to the chosen travel destination, and if that is possible, under what conditions. Here with us you will find all the important information on this topic, seriously researched at the embassies or the Foreign Office.
An import permit is required to bring pets into Samoa. This can be requested from the Ministry of Agriculture in Apia, Samoa.
In addition, all animals must be vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination must have taken place at least 30 days before entering Samoa, but must not be more than a year ago.
A health certificate is also required for import, confirming that the pet is free from contagious diseases.
Pets in the airplane
When transporting pets in airplanes there is the possibility that the animal flies together with an accompanying person (owner) or without such a person.
Transporting animals with an accompanying person (keeper)
In this case, proceed as follows: At the airport, the animal is locked in a transport box provided by the keeper beforehand. It must be ensured that the container is large enough that the animal can stand in it and turn around, and it must also be ensured that no liquids can leak (urine). This is done using suitable absorbent material, in the simplest case using a sufficient amount of newspaper.
There should also be a water bowl and, depending on the length of the flight, enough food. The transport container is handed over to the staff at the check-in counter. The transport fee depends on the weight of the animal. It is essential to ensure that there is space for the animal on the flight booked, as the number of animals that can be transported is limited.
The animal is located in the machine in an air-conditioned area between the passenger deck and the cargo area. As a rule, no member of the crew takes care of the animal during the flight, not even to give water or food.
However, experience has shown that the stress of checking in and the take-off phase is so stressful for most animals that they sleep for most of the flight. The administration of sedatives prior to check-in is not only not recommended, as their effects cannot be foreseen under these conditions, but is even prohibited for reasons of security (smuggling). Many airlines also exclude a number of dogs (attack dogs) from transport.
Animal transport without an accompanying person
In this case, a specialist company must be commissioned with the transport, which then takes care of everything else. However, it should be ensured that the animal is picked up at the arrival airport by someone who is familiar to the dog. And of course all import regulations for pets for the country have to be explored beforehand and strictly adhered to.
Note
It has proven to be very helpful if you have accustomed the animal to such a transport container at home a few weeks before the intended flight.
Departure fee
The exit fee is WS $ 40 for anyone over the age of 12.
Samoa: arrival and transport
How do you get to Samoa?
Air New Zealand flies to Samoa daily from Auckland and once a week from Los Angeles and Tongatapu. Polynesian Airline flies to Samoa from Auckland, Honolulu, Melbourne, Nadi, Niue, Pago Pago, Sydney, Tongatapu and Wellington. Air Pacific flies to Samoa from Nadi once a week. Air Samoa also flies.
Travel in the country
Bus
The picturesque colorful buses mostly belong to individual villages. The departure times are not coordinated. It is generally not easy to get reliable information about departure times. The bus system is therefore not a reliable means of transport.
Roads
There are 790 km of roads, 332 km of which are paved. The two main islands are almost completely surrounded by a tarred shore road.
Rental cars
There are several rental companies. It should be noted, however, that the international driving license is not recognized. A driver’s license can be obtained for a fee of WS $ 10 from the main police station in Apia or other police stations. You also need to bring a passport photo and your local driver’s license. Sometimes just presenting your driver’s license is sufficient. You will then receive a receipt for the 10 WS $, which is also the driver’s license.
Ferry connections
Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa. There is a regular ferry service from Apia to Pago Pago, which is located in American Samoa. The Samoa Shipping Corporation connects the islands of Upolu and Savaii on a daily basis.
From Apia there is a ferry to Tokelau, which is also the only connection between the island atoll and the outside world.
Air connections
Airports on Upolu Island:
Faleolo International Airport (APW) is 35 km west of Apia.
Fagalii Airport (FGI) is located east of the center of Apia, about 5 minutes by car.
Airports on the island of Savaii
Maota Airport (MXS) is located south of Salelologa
Asau Airport (AAU) is located northwest of Savaii
The Polynesian Airline connects the islands with each other.
Traffic rules
In Samoa there has been left-hand traffic since 9.9.2009. the reason for the change is to make it easier to import cars from countries in the region with left-hand traffic – the steering wheel is on the right-hand side.
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h)
- Country roads: The speed limit on country roads is 35 mph (56 km/h)
- Expressways: not available
- Motorways: not available
Special regulations
It is essential to drive slowly through the villages so as not to hit children or the pigs that often run around freely.
Blood
alcohol limit There is a blood alcohol limit of 0 blood alcohol for drivers of motor vehicles.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Samoa is:
| WS |
Samoa: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Samoa embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Samoa
Embassy
The diplomatic interests of the independent state of Samoa are represented in Europe by the embassy in Brussels/Belgium.
Embassy of the Independent State of Samoa
20 Avenue de I’Orée
Brussels/Belgium
Tel: 0032 – (0) 2 – 660 8454
Fax: 0032 – (0) 2 – 675 0336
Email: [email protected]
www.govt.ws
German representations in Samoa
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Germany does not have its own embassy in Samoa, but is only represented by an honorary consulate. The embassy in Wellington, New Zealand is responsible.
German Embassy in Wellington Hobson Street 90-92 Thorndon 6011, Wellington: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany PO Box 1687 Wellington 6140 New Zealand Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 473 60 63 Fax: 0064 – (0) 4 473 60 69 Email: [email protected] www.wellington.diplo.de
The German embassy in Wellington is still responsible for:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Niue
- Pitcairn
- Tonga
- Tokelau
- Tuvalu
Honorary Consulate in Apia
:
Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
PO Box 1620
Papauta
Apia
Tel: 00685 – 25 607
Fax: 00685 – 25 608
Email:
Austrian representations for Samoa
Embassy
Austria does not have its own embassy in Samoa. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy in Canberra
12 Talbot Street
Forrest, ACT 2603
:
PO Box 3375
Manuka, ACT 2603
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 6295 1533
Fax: 0061 – 2 – 6239 6751
Email:[email protected]
www.aussenministerium.at/canberra
www.austria.org.au
The Austrian embassy in Canberra is still responsible for:
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Swiss representation for Samoa
Embassy
Switzerland does not have its own embassy in Samoa. The embassy in Wellington, New Zealand is responsible.
Embassy, Embassy of Switzerland in Wellington
10 Customhouse Quay, Level 12
6140 Wellington
:
PO Box 25004
6146 Wellington
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 – 472 1593
Fax: 0064 – (0) 4 – 499 6302
Email: [email protected]
http://www.eda.admin.ch/wellington
The Swiss Embassy Embassy in Wellingtion is still responsible for:
- Cook Islands
- Fiji Islands
- Niue
- Tonga
- Tokelau
Tourist offices
Samoa Tourism Authority
PO Box 2272
Apia, Samoa
Tel: 00685 – 63 500
Fax: 00685 – 20 886
Email: [email protected]
www.visitsamoa.ws
New Zealand Office
PO Box 68 423 Newton
Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: 0064 – 9 – 379 6138
Fax: 0064 – 9 – 379 8154
Email: [email protected]
Australian Office
Level 9.99 York Street
NSW, Australia
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 9279 4808
Fax: 0061 – 2 – 9299 1119
Email: [email protected]
UK Office
Unit 11 Blades Court
121 Deodar Rd
London SW15 2NU
Tel: 0044 – 208 877 4512
Fax: 0044 – 208 874 4219
Email: [email protected]
Samoa: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Samoa, the following diseases are to be expected, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:
- Malaria, there is no risk of malaria on the island nation.
- Dengue fever disease
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
- Filariasis
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Samoa are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- diphtheria
- Hepatitis A and B
- tetanus
- typhus
Compulsory vaccination
For all persons over 1 year of age who come from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against yellow fever.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.
There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory co-payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
Current warnings
Typhoons can be expected in Samoa. It can also lead to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Outside the lagoons there is a risk of strong currents.
Information about dangers can be found here
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens Service
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Samoa: Currency, Exchange Rate, and Shopping
The national currency of Samoa is the tala, which is also known as WS $ (dollar).
A tala consists of 100 senes (cents).
Any major currency, including the euro, can be exchanged for tala.
The following valid bills are in circulation:
- $ 2
- $ 5
- $ 10
- $ 20
- $ 50
- $ 100
and also the following coins:
- 1 c
- 2 c
- 5 c
- 10 c
- 20 c
- 50 c
- $ 1
Most hotels and some restaurants and shops accept credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners & JCB. Traveller’s Checks are accepted in most banks and hotels.
Exchange rate
You can find a currency converter here:
www3.forium.de
Bank opening hours
ANZ Bank and Westpac
Monday – Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
National Bank of Samoa
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Shop
Shop opening times
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cheap or local goods, souvenirs
Samoas handicrafts – carved statues, woven bags, baskets, mats, siapo (tapa), clam ula (leis) and kava bowls – are among the best in the whole South Pacific.
