Local Laws

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law.  For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification:   If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Customs:  Tonga’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Tonga of items such as firearms, explosives, motor vehicles, eggs, and certain types of alcohol.  It is advisable to contact the Tongan Embassy in New York or the Consulate General of Tonga in San Francisco for specific information regarding customs requirements.  Please see our Customs Information.

Citizenship Documents:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available.  U.S. citizens who are detained are encouraged to request that a consular officer from the U.S. Embassy in Fiji be notified.

Cyclone Season:  The official cyclone season is November through April. The Fiji Meteorological Service maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available at the State Department’s website, as well as from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website.

Faith-Based Travelers:  Tonga is a deeply religious country.  On Sundays, many services are not provided and offices are routinely closed.  . See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.

LGBTI Travelers:  Under Tonga law, “sodomy with another person” is a crime, with a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment.  We are not aware of reports of prosecutions under this provision for consensual sexual conduct between adults, regardless of the gender of the parties.  We are also not aware of any reports of violence against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Persons with Mobility Issues:  While in the Kingdom of Tonga, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation to be very different from what they find in the United States.  There are no legally mandated provisions for services for persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities.  There also are no programs to ensure access to communications and information for persons with disabilities.  The Tonga Red Cross Society operates a school for children with disabilities and conducts occasional home visits.  There is no specific government agency with responsibility for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Students:  See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for Women Travelers.