Fees and tickets
Passenger fees at Freetown International Airport
Short answer
- Airport security fee
- US$25, suspended from 6 July 2026 1
- Foreign Travel Tax
- 10% of the return fare on the undated NRA website, US$25 to US$250 in the October 2022 NRA guide 2,9
- Aviation safety charge
- Charge on all air tickets set by the Civil Aviation Act, 2019 3
- Visa on arrival
- US$80, paid in cash in US dollars 4
- Airport
- Freetown International Airport, Lungi, IATA code FNA 5
The main charges and their status
Most charges on a trip through Lungi are collected through the air ticket. One charge, the airport security fee, was paid by the passenger directly from 1 September 2022 6. That fee is suspended as of 6 July 2026 1.
| Charge | Amount | Who sets or collects it | Status and source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport security fee 1 | US$25 per passenger 6 | Ministry of Internal Affairs, paid to Securiport 6 | Suspended from 6 July 2026 1 |
| Foreign Travel Tax 2 | 10% of the normal return fare on the NRA website 2, or US$25 to US$250 in the October 2022 NRA guide 9 | National Revenue Authority, collected by the ticket issuer 2 | Live under the Foreign Travel (Ticket) Tax Act, 1975 as amended 2 |
| Safety charge on air tickets 3 | Not stated in the Act 3 | Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority 3 | In the Civil Aviation Act of 29 August 2019 3 |
| Visa on arrival 4 | US$80 cash 4 | Sierra Leone immigration 4 | Live, FCDO page updated 19 June 2026 4 |
Airport security fee
The Ministry of Internal Affairs set a US$25 security fee for inbound and outbound passengers from 1 September 2022 6. The money went to Securiport, the company that runs border security technology at the airport 6.
A Ministry of Internal Affairs notice dated 3 July 2026 suspended the fee from 6 July 2026 1. The notice said the suspension allows a contract review and a special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone 1. The US Department of State page viewed on 24 October 2026 still describes the US$25 fee 7.
Taxes and charges inside the ticket
The National Revenue Authority says every person leaving Sierra Leone by air or sea pays the Foreign Travel Tax 2. The person who issues the ticket collects it and pays it to the authority within 15 days after the end of the month 2. The website gives the rate as 10% of the normal return fare 2. The authority's Tax and Non-Tax Revenue Guide of October 2022 says the Act was amended by the Finance Act 2017 and gives flat rates instead, from US$25 economy to an ECOWAS country up to US$250 first class elsewhere 9. The website page is undated, so this site cannot say which version applies now 2,9.
The Civil Aviation Act, 2019 lists a safety charge on all air tickets and freight charges among the regulator's funds 3. The Act lets the Director-General, with Board approval, add surcharges on tickets sold to international passengers 3.
Older published airport charges
An undated Logistics Cluster assessment lists a security charge of US$39 and an infrastructure development charge of US$20 per departing passenger 5. The page gives no date for these rates, and they may no longer apply 5. This site has not found a current official Sierra Leone Airports Authority tariff online.
A rumoured US$165 tax
In October 2023 posts claimed passengers would pay US$165 more in tax from 1 December 8. The Ministry of Information said for the Ministry of Transport and Aviation that the claim was fake and misleading 8. Travellers interviewed by Dubawa said they paid a US$25 security fee 8.
Common questions
Do I still pay the US$25 airport security fee?
No. The Ministry of Internal Affairs suspended the fee from 6 July 2026 until further notice 1.
How much is the Foreign Travel Tax?
The NRA website says 10% of the normal return ticket price 2. The October 2022 NRA guide gives US$25 to US$250 by class and destination 9. The ticket issuer collects it 2.
Is there a US$165 airport tax in Sierra Leone?
No. In October 2023 the government said a claimed US$165 tax was fake 8.
How much is a visa on arrival?
The UK government says it costs US$80, paid in cash in US dollars 4.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@sierraleoneairportguide.com.
Sources
- Premier News SL, as reported by Matthew Bakarr: Government Suspends USD 25 Airport Security Fee (6 July 2026)
- National Revenue Authority: Foreign Travel Tax (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- SierraLII: Civil Aviation Act, 2019, Act 7 of 2019, Gazette 64 (29 August 2019)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Sierra Leone travel advice, entry requirements (updated 19 June 2026)
- Logistics Cluster: Logistics Capacity Assessment, Sierra Leone aviation section (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- Air Peace provider page: Ministry of Internal Affairs notice on the US$25 airport security fee (notice effective 1 September 2022)
- US Department of State: Sierra Leone international travel information (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- Dubawa, as reported by Mohamed Jaward Nyallay: False. No new US$165 tax for passengers (21 October 2023)
- National Revenue Authority: Tax and Non-Tax Revenue Guide, second edition (October 2022), copy hosted by Policy Vault
Related
- The US$25 airport security fee at Freetown
History and status of the US$25 airport security fee at Freetown International Airport, paid to Securiport and suspended from 6 July 2026.
- Airport charges included in a Freetown air ticket
Which taxes and charges for Freetown International Airport are collected through the air ticket, and which were paid separately.
- Exemptions from Sierra Leone airport fees and travel tax
What official sources say about exemptions from the Foreign Travel Tax, the airport security fee and aviation charges in Sierra Leone.
- Departing from Freetown International Airport
What departing passengers at Freetown International Airport pay and need: Foreign Travel Tax, security fee status, exit rules and transfer to Lungi.
- Money and payments at Freetown International Airport
The redenominated leone, where to change money at Lungi, which airport payments are in US dollars and the rules on foreign currency, with dated sources.