Samoa Shopping
There are various shopping opportunities for visitors to Samoa and there are many great things you can take home as a souvenir.
Crafts
Samoa’s traditional crafts include fans, mats and wooden bowls, as well as tapa cloth. Wooden carvings are common and visitors can see them being made in the villages. Handcrafts are made and sold in small fales on the side of the road, giving tourists the chance to meet the artisan and get a good price. There are also tapa cloth making demonstrations.
Markets
The Flea Market runs pretty much all day, offering a wide range of handicrafts and imported goods, as well as a great days shopping. The Fish Market, just behind the Flea Market is best before 11am, by which time most of the fish has been sold and the Maketi Fou or food market, is located on Fugalei Street and sells fresh local produce and local handicrafts.
Business hours
On Monday to Friday businesses are open 8am to 4.30pm, with lunch from noon to 1.30pm. Some shops and offices close for lunch. Saturday hours are 8am to 12.30pm. On Sunday, all shops and businesses close except for small convenience stores.
Duty-free allowances A written declaration is required for every visitor entering Samoa. One litre of spirits and 200 cigarettes per person may be brought in duty free. Firearms, ammunition, explosives, drugs and indecent publications of any kind are prohibited.