Are you running out of space in your suitcase? Prioritize AOC rum, bois lélé, colorful spices, madras fabrics and a few pieces of handcrafted souvenirs: these 11 items capture the gourmet, cultural, and olfactory identity of Martinique and easily pass customs if quantities remain within the limits.
Top 11 souvenirs to bring back from Martinique 🇲🇶
This selection covers gastronomy, crafts, and scents; it answers the most frequent traveler requests analyzed through Google Trends in 2025.
- 🥃 Rhum Saint-James (AOC)
- 🌿 Bois lélé for ti-punch
- 🌶️ Martinique candied chilies
- 🍍 Jams “La Sérénade des Saveurs”
- 🍫 Martinique cacao in artisanal bars
- 🌸 Martinique soap coconut or guava scented
- 💐 Chadèk perfumes by Parfums des Îles
- 👜 Bakwa weaving & tote bags
- 💎 Creole jewelry in yellow gold
- 👗 Madras patterned clothing
- 🍺 Piton beer, brewed in the Antilles
| Souvenir | Average budget | Recommended point of sale | Allowed quantity ✈️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhum Saint-James 🥃 | €25 | Distillerie Saint-James, N3, Sainte-Marie | 1 L per person |
| Bois lélé 🌿 | €3 per set | Fort-de-France covered market | Unlimited |
| Candied chilies 🌶️ | €6 | “Madras & Saveurs” stall, Marin market | 500 g |
| Jams 🍍 | €5 | La Sérénade des Saveurs, Rivière-Salée | 2 jars |
| Martinique cacao 🍫 | €7 | Maison du Cacao, Ajoupa-Bouillon | Unlimited |
Martinique gastronomy: rums, spices and sweets to pack in your suitcase
Creole cuisine charms with its powerful flavors; here is how to bring them back hassle-free and without exceeding customs quotas.
AOC rum: choosing, buying, transporting
Among the island’s seven distilleries, Saint-James remains the most visited for its vintage cuvées. A stop in Sainte-Marie offers:
- 🛵 Guided tasting (30 min, €10)
- 🎁 “Cuvée 1765” edition sold only on site
- 📦 Complimentary “shock-proof” packaging for checked luggage
Spices, chilies and vanilla: mini market to take away
A vacuum-sealed envelope protects Martinique vanilla and candied chilies. Fort-de-France stalls sell assortments labeled “special carry-on luggage”:
| Spice 🌶️ | Price per 100 g | Storage tip |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo mix | €2.90 | Kraft bag + zip |
| Vanilla pod | €4.50 | Glass tubes |
| Bois d’Inde | €3.20 | Hermetic jar |
Sweets made from cacao and exotic jams
Martinique cacao harvested in the north of the island highlights the Trinitario variety; the bean-to-bar Mokaï tablets (70% cacao) are rated 88/100 by the International Chocolate Institute 2025.
- 🍫 Mokaï 70%: banana & coffee aromas
- 🥭 Mango-passion jam: awarded at the 2024 Agriculture Fair
The next section explores crafts, essential to complete your shopping.
Authentic crafts: wood, weaving and local pottery
Handcrafted souvenirs tell the story of sugar cane, fishermen, and volcanic terroir.
Bois lélé and calabash utensils
- 🪵 Bois lélé: carved from Quararibea turbinata, sold at €2 each
- 🥥 Calabash spoons: light and biodegradable
The Pottery Village (Trois-Îlets) concentrates these workshops less than 20 minutes from the marina.
Bakwa weaving: custom hats and tote bags
| Product 👜 | Weaving time | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Classic bakoua hat | 1 h | “Bakwa Création” workshop, Le Vauclin |
| Customized XXL tote bag | 24 h | “Fibre Créole” cooperative, Sainte-Anne |
A bakwa tote bag lasts on average eight years; artisans guarantee the fiber against humidity.
Pottery and sculptures in precious wood
- 🐢 Red clay turtle: 2025 bestseller
- 🦜 Parrot carved from gommiers wood
- 🏺 Enameled Amerindian vase
Fashion, beauty and scents: Creole elegance at home
From flamboyant fabrics to sweet fragrances, these items complete a colorful gift basket.
Madras fabrics and ready-to-wear clothing
- 👗 Bustier dress in madras patterned clothing
- 🧣 Four-color scarf symbolizing patronal festivals
Moreau de Jones and Antoine Siger streets in Fort-de-France have more than 15 specialized haberdasheries.
| Item 👗 | Average price | Available sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Wrap skirt | €35 | XS-XL |
| Madras crossbody bag | €22 | One size |
Creole jewelry and rum perfumes
- 💍 Creole jewelry in 18 K gold: “Chou” necklace
- 🌺 Chadèk eau de parfum, 30 ml: sugar cane alcohol
- 🧼 Martinique soap rum-vanilla scented
The Parfums des Îles Boutique (Trois-Îlets & Sainte-Luce) offers a fragrance bar: €15 per custom blend.
Where to buy these souvenirs without making a mistake?
Combining markets, distilleries, and duty-free optimizes budget and quality.
Must-visit local markets
- 🛒 Fort-de-France: Monday-Saturday, 6 am-2 pm
- 🛒 Saint-Pierre: Tuesday & Friday, 7 am-1 pm
- 🛒 Le Marin: Saturday, 8 am-3 pm
More shopping tips on Tourcrib and the detailed guide from VillaVEO.
Distilleries and breweries
| Drink 🍹 | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Rhum Saint-James | Sainte-Marie | Rum museum included |
| Piton beer | Lorraine Brewery, Le Lamentin | Limited edition “Tropik 2025” |
Last-minute airport shops
- ✈️ Aimé-Césaire Duty-Free: rum, Mokaï chocolates
- ✈️ Mac Intosh Fleurs: bouquets protected 48 h
For a complete checklist, consult Terre.tv or the article Martinique Authentique.
Bonus resources from 123Souvenir
- 🌍 Other islands: addresses in Corsica
- 🎄 Christmas gift ideas 2025
- 💡 Method to find the perfect gift: read the guide
- 📩 Need help? contact 123Souvenir
FAQ – Your questions about Martinique souvenirs
- How much rum can you bring back?
The French customs allow 1 L of alcohol >22° per adult traveler; beyond that, taxes apply. - Do spices need to be declared?
No, if they are dry or vacuum-sealed and for personal use, no sanitary form is required. - How to transport tropical flowers?
Buy bouquets packaged by Mac Intosh; the approved checked luggage carton maintains humidity for 48 h. - Does bakwa pass scanners without damage?
Yes; this natural fiber does not trigger alerts but store the hat flat to avoid creases. - Where to find certified Creole jewelry?
“Or Créole” jewelry stores in Fort-de-France provide a certificate of authenticity and an 18 K hallmark.
