Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# KAVA! Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tonga
a_greasy_chip_butty 03:21 UTC 08 Jul 2009 | Hi All, I understand Tonga is deeply entrenched in the Kava way of life like Fiji. I have two questions on the subjuct: Is it possible for tourists to buy kava (and if so, where is the best place) Has anyone had problems bringing this back through customs (I'm heading to the US after Tonga) Any help is appreciated Cheers Dave |
greggig 10:58 UTC 08 Jul 2009 | I don't know about Tonga, but I know that you can buy easily the dry stuff in Fiji and Vanuatu, even in airport shops. So I guess you can bring it back (well, of course, in the US...). But to tell you the truth, Vanuatu's got the best. | 1
oldpro 10:42 UTC 09 Jul 2009 | Don't know about Tonga either, but kava isn't considered illegal elsewhere in the S Pacific. Sometimes kava is easier to get than alcohol. You can buy it in any market -- there's often a separate corner just for kava, including a few benches and tables set up where you can drink a few cups on the spot. I've seen packets (powdered form) sold in grocery stores. I also don't know the precise situation for the USA. There are two possible problems with bringing some kava back home. The most obvious is that it is a natural organic product and you'd be expected to declare it as such. The second possible problem is that kava might be considered an illegal drug. I recall there being some fuss about kava in one or another european country - mainly a pharmaceutical lobby who saw kava as a threat to their own manufactured drugs. | 2
harrychorpita 16:03 UTC 09 Jul 2009 | Tongan Kava Rocks! It's even available For Sale @ the airport! | 3
ryanstriptonowhere 06:31 UTC 10 Jul 2009 | Ive brought it back from Fiji a few times no problem. As long as its in a package and not loose in a bag you should be fine. Its Legal in the USA. | 4
mandja 08:51 UTC 11 Jul 2009 | Like #4 I brought some back - to Australia from Fiji - declared at Customs (bouight at Nadi market) - no problem | 5
raro 01:16 UTC 13 Jul 2009 | I've brought kava---called yanggona in Fiji---back to the US. When it asks if you are bring in any agricultural products, I alsways indicate yes, and write in "Kava tea". No problems. | 6