Shopping in Vanuatu
Vila is Vanuatu’s only duty-free port and a shopper’s delight with its colourful blend of French, English and Melanesian cultures. French perfume, champagnes and patisseries can be found alongside souvenir outlets, jewellery and gift shops, and fashionwear including brightly coloured sarongs, hand-printed t-shirts, board shorts and beachwear. Chinatown in Rue Carnot is a good place to look for bargains, with everything from Japanese stereos to straw hats and camping gear. To navigate your way around, pick up a free city map from the Information Centre at Pilioko building. On the main street, there are several duty-free shops selling electrical goods, gifts, French perfume, CDs, cosmetics, liquor, wines, spirits and French crystal. You will need your passport and onward ticket to make a purchase, and the shop will deliver the goods to the airport or main wharf when you depart Vanuatu.
If you’re stocking up on food supplies, there are plenty of supermarkets and corner stores in Port Vila and Luganville. The large ones carry an excellent range of fresh and processed local and imported foods, beer and wine. Most are open seven days a week from 7.30am (some open earlier), and many remain open until 9pm. Visitors can also browse around the colourful markets in downtown Vila, which sell fresh local fruit and vegetables, flowers and handcrafts.
Duty-Free Allowances Passengers over 15 years:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 50 cigars or 100 cigarettes.
1.5 litres alcohol and 2 litres wine.
25cl litre eau de toilette and 10 centilitres perfume.
A total of 50,000 vatu (approx.$A600) in unused goods.
Visitor personal effects are entered duty free.
Shopping Hours
Shopping hours are 7.30am to 8.30pm.
Some shops, except supermarkets, banks and the Post Office, close for lunch from 11.30am to 1.30pm from Monday to Friday.
Shops open on Saturday morning, and some specialty stores and supermarkets open on Sunday.
Vila markets are every day except Sundays.