Key facts for Sao Tome and Principe
Christmas is a family holiday; corporate gifting is small-scale.
How companies in Sao Tome and Principe give year-end gifts
São Tomé and Príncipe is a small, predominantly Catholic island nation with close ties to Portugal. Christmas and the New Year are public holidays and family occasions. The business community is small, built around government, tourism, cocoa and international cooperation, and gifting is personal and modest. Cards should be in Portuguese and addressed to named contacts. International shipping to the islands is slow and options are limited, so compact, non-perishable gifts are the practical choice. Given the islands' own cocoa tradition, branded plush, tea or keepsakes may be more distinctive than chocolate. A personal card addressed by name is valued. Allow ample transit time, and consider arrival in early January with New Year wishes. Hand over gifts personally where possible.
Gift occasions in Sao Tome and Principe
Christmas
main year-end occasion for gifts to staff, clients and partners
New Year
greetings and gifts, often combined with Christmas as one year-end occasion
Good practice
- Write cards in Portuguese
- Order early: international courier transit plus customs clearance can take one to two weeks or more
- Add a printed card in the main business language with a personal line
- Favor heat-stable items (tea, plush, baubles, branded keepsakes) if delivery is outside air-conditioned premises
Avoid
- Don't ship chocolate without heat protection
- Don't send gifts to public officials without checking their internal rules
Design and wording
Christmas wording and imagery are appropriate for most recipients; neutral 'Season's Greetings' suits international or mixed teams.
Delivery to Sao Tome and Principe
Ships from Poland by international courier; import duties and local VAT or sales taxes are normally charged on arrival and can be quoted in advance, and customs clearance adds time. Courier service to the islands is limited and slow. December is hot, so chocolate needs heat-protected packaging and fast transit, or non-chocolate items are the safer choice.
Planning dates for Sao Tome and Principe
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 6 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Sao Tome and Principe
Christmas plush
Plush is made in our own workshop in Biała Podlaska, Poland: ready Christmas teddies with your embroidered logo, and custom plush mascots based on…
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Baubles with logo
Most promotional items are discarded within weeks.
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Sao Tome and Principe?
Yes. 25 Dec is a public holiday, as is 1 Jan.
Can we send chocolate gifts to Sao Tome and Principe?
Usually yes, as a gift shipment by courier, but import duties and taxes may apply and customs can request product details. Heat is the main risk in December, so we recommend heat-protected packaging or tea and plush alternatives.
What language should be used for gifts to São Tomé and Príncipe?
Portuguese, the official language.