All crafts, goods, and people crossing Vanuatu borders are required by Law to produce and complete a Customs Clearance.

Customs Clearance (goods, crafts, people)

 Customs Border Control has the responsibility to:

• conduct Searches and Examinations on crafts, goods, and people;
• Inspect documents (receipts, invoices, records);
• Question or interview;

This is to ensure that a true and correct Declaration is completed in a form and made in a manner as approved by the Director.

The Declaration must be lodged at any Customs office approved by the Director, and presented at the Customs Border offices for further assessments and Customs formalities prior to release of goods from Customs control.

Unaccustomed goods will be detained, or seized, in a Customs Controlled Area until the required formalities are met. Customs Border is responsible:

• Preparing and issuing detention and seizure notices;
• Registering detained or seized goods;
• Ensure storage facility is safe and secure ;
• Carry out surveillance and visits to Customs Controlled areas;
• Seized goods are forfeited to the Government.

Documents Required for Customs Clearance

All crafts, goods and people entering or departing Vanuatu borders are expected to supply these necessary documents to complete Customs Clearance:

For Crafts:

• Last Port Clearance
• General Declaration
• Crew List
• Passenger List
• Store List
• Arrival/Departure/Coast-wise Declaration
• Bonded Stores
• Arms and Ammunition List
• Plant and Animal List
• Cargo Manifest
• Passenger Effects
• Crew Effects
• Cargo manifest

For Goods:

• Commercial invoice or receipts for payments (Declared Value)
• Packing list
• Shipping documents (airway bills, bill of lading)
• Import/export permit (for restricted goods)
• Cargo manifest

For people:

• Arrival/departure cards (declaration)
• Passports
• Airline ticket (itinerary)