What food can I take to Kiribati?

The important thing to note when traveling to Kiribati is the country’s food import rules. There are restrictions on some foods in Kiribati that are aimed at safeguarding the country’s food supply and preventing the introduction of pests and diseases. What follows is a guide on what kind of food can or cannot be brought into Kiribati.

Allowed Foods

The following are some food items which can generally be brought into Kiribati but one should consult with Kiribati Quarantine and Inspection Service (KQIS) prior to travel:

Food Item	Restrictions
Fresh fruits and vegetables	Must be free of pests and diseases. Certain fruits and vegetables may be prohibited.
Canned and packaged foods	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Dried foods	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Spices and herbs	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Honey	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Nuts and seeds	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Chocolate and candy	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Biscuits and crackers	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Cereal and grains	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Pasta and rice	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Tea and coffee	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Powdered milk	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Infant formula	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.
Bottled water	Must be commercially packaged and labeled. No homemade items.

However, keep in mind that regardless of its allowance, any food item must be commercially packed and labeled while homemade stuff is normally not allowed.

Prohibited Foods

You cannot bring into Kiribati the following types of food:

• Fresh meats as well as poultry
• Fresh eggs
• Fresh dairy products
• Fresh fish and Seafood
• Living animals & plants
• Soil and plant materials
• Unpasteurized honey
• Homemade items
• Meat or dairy-containing items
• Items containing prohibited ingredients

They do this to avoid introducing bugs and diseases that could destroy their domestic supplies of foodstuffs in addition to endangering their environment.

Declaring Food Items

Upon arrival in Kiribati, you will be required to declare all your foods. This includes what you have kept in your checked luggage, carry-on bags, and personal stuffs. Failure to do this can invite heavy fines and penalties from authorities.

To declare any food item you will need a Passenger Arrival Card given either aboard an airplane or at an airport. You must state the total amount of all foods being imported into the country on its card type, origin countries as well as quantities involved.

After filling out your Passenger Arrival Card just present it to a KQIS officer at an airport. In turn, he may want to scan your luggage and other personal belongings for any signs of prohibited items.

Penalties for Bringing in Prohibited Items

If you are found to be bringing in prohibited food items, you may face penalties such as:

• They can take away the goods
• Fines
• Clearance delays at customs
• You could face criminal charges

Be truthful about the foodstuffs that you are carrying into Kiribati. It can lead to very serious consequences if one tries to sneak in restricted things.

Read also Medications not allowed in Kiribati and USA to Kiribati flight time

Buying Food in Kiribati

In case there are certain foodstuffs that cannot be carried with you, they can easily be bought within Kiribati. The country has various markets and shops where foods like:

• Fresh fruits
• Canned /packaged foods
• Dry foods
• Spices/herbs
• Honey
• Nuts & seeds
• Chocolate/candies
• Biscuits/crackers
• Cereal/grains
• Pasta/rice
• Tea/coffee
• Powdered milk.
• Infant formulae
• Bottled water

However, it should not go unnoticed that availability may limit choice and variety as compared to products available in the country of origin.

Conclusion

The important thing to note when traveling to Kiribati is the country’s food import rules. Even if there are a few restrictions on some items, one can still bring food or buy it once you have reached the destination. By following these regulations and letting everyone know about your commodities, this place will still remain a good place for travel while at the same time saving our own sources of food from being destroyed by pests and diseases.