Overview:
Guam Customs Officers Correct Betel Nut Permit Error for Palauan Travelers
HAGÅTÑA, Guam — Guam Customs officers confiscated betel nut (buuch) from arriving Palauan passengers this week due to a permit misunderstanding, despite a new directive exempting up to 50lbs of personal imports. The incident was later resolved after intervention by senior officers, highlighting the need for consistent enforcement and clear communication of import regulations.
By: Faith Chen
Hagåtña, Guam (Oct. 8, 2025) — Palauan nationals arriving in Guam on Oct. 7, 2025, were subject to secondary inspection at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, where their buuch (betel nut) was confiscated by airport-based Customs officers under the assertion that a federal permit was required for importation.
However, a memorandum issued by the Guam Department of Agriculture, Biosecurity Division, on Oct. 6, 2025, signed by Chief of Biosecurity Christopher A. Rosario, stated otherwise. The directive reads: “Travelers arriving with betel nut for personal consumption, not exceeding fifty (50) pounds per passenger in baggage and not intended for resale, are exempt from the requirement of a federal USDA permit. Commercial shipments remain subject to all federal and local requirements.”
Contrary to the terms of this memorandum, the passengers’ buuch was seized at the airport. Following receipt of the memo from relatives in Palau, the affected travelers attempted at approximately 3:00 p.m. the same day to locate the inspecting officers at the airport. Unable to do so, they proceeded to the USDA inspection office in Barrigada, which was closed at that time.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., they encountered Officer Jonathan Lim of the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA) at their office located beside USDA inspection office. Upon inquiry, Officer Lim advised them of the applicable regulatory framework, clarified that their consignment qualified under the exemption for personal consumption, and undertook to secure the release of the buuch.
On the morning of Oct. 8, 2025, Officer Lim, accompanied by Officer Biacan, delivered the buuch in person to the travelers. Officer Lim also issued a written apology, stating: “That is not what our agency represents. I know this gesture does not forgive the actions at the airport but I feel like it’s a positive step in the right direction.”
One of the travelers, said: “We know the officers at the airport were just doing their job, but we are grateful to Officer Lim and Officer Biacan for restoring our confiscated items — not through baggage claim, but hand-delivered to us.
Legal and Procedural Takeaways
• Declaration requirement: All buuch must be declared upon entry into Guam.
• Personal exemption: Imports not exceeding 50 pounds per passenger for personal chewing use do not require either federal or local permits, provided they are not intended for resale.
• Commercial imports: Imports exceeding 50 pounds, or intended for resale, require compliance with both federal (USDA APHIS PPQ-587) and local (Guam DOAG Biosecurity) permits.
• Enforcement consistency: This incident illustrates a misapplication of the Oct. 6 memorandum, subsequently rectified through officer intervention and supervisory approval.
The case brought attention to the need for clear enforcement at Guam’s airport while recognizing the professionalism of Officer Jonathan Lim and Officer Biacan. Their intervention ensured the return of the items, clarified new permit requirements, and drew appreciation from Palauan travelers.