Vanuatu Entry Formalities and Ports of Entry for Vanuatu
Customs Ports
There are four ports of entry into Vanuatu,
- Port Vila on the island of Efate,
- Luganville on Santo,
- Sola on Vanua Lava, and
- Lenakel on Tanna.
Yachts may not stop at any other island or anchorage in Vanuatu until first clearing in one of these four ports of entry.
Yachting World suggests that anyone visiting Vanuatu should obtain a copy of the Nautical Rocket Guide to Vanuatu. This Cruising Guide to Vanuatu has detailed information and charts for each entry port (and over a hundred other anchorages). This is especially important for yachts contemplating entering Vanuatu in Tanna or Sola. Yachts entering in Port Vila have fewer difficulties and can obtain a copy of the cruising guide at Yachting World's Connect Cafe after arrival.
Port Vila
When you arrive in Port Vila, you must anchor next to the yellow quarantine buoy located at 17°44.275 S 168°18.597 E. Just follow the lead lights in and drop your anchor in about 10 to 12 meters on a coral rubble bottom. The holding is not the best, but you won't be there too long providing you don't come on a weekend or public holiday. Give Yachting World a call on VHF Channel 16 and we will help you organise clearance formalities. When the customs officer arrives he will probably be in one of our skiffs with one of our staff members there to welcome you to Port Vila.
After clearing, up anchor and head for the protected inner harbour behind Iririiki Island. Click here for sailing directions for entering the inner harbour.
Entering in Tanna
Many yachts wish to enter in Tanna so they can visit Tanna, Aneityum and Erromango without having to beat to windward from Efate. However, there are some important things you need to know about entering here.
The anchorage at the official port of entry (Lenakel) is small and subject to heavy swell during winds from the Northwest through the south to ESE, making landing difficult.
Yachts seldom manage to clear in here because of the difficult anchorage. Port Resolution, on the SE side of Tanna is an alternative but there is not Customs or Quarantine officer there. This means that the Customs and Quarantine officers have to arrive by truck or taxi from Lenakel - a 4 hour round trip that you will have to pay for (about US$80). Check with the Port Resolution Yacht Club to find out if the officers are expected and if not, to ask them to come.
In addition, Port Resolution is very shallow (3 to 4 metres) and when the wind is strong and between SE and ESE a swell enters this harbour and makes life a bit on the rolly side. If the wind moves further to the east or northeast you will have to exit the port in a hurry as waves quickly build up in the shallow water.
Further recent advice - last year a yacht went aground on the rocks SE of the entrance (this is the second yacht lost at this anchorage in recent years). The owner and crew were able to get ashore but the villagers stripped the yacht of everything. With difficulty the owner of the non-insured yacht was able to recover some essential items of clothing and passports. Yachts must exercise extreme caution on the approach to Port Resolution.
Yachts must put up the quarantine flag on approach to Port Resolution and to leave it up until they are completely cleared in by both Customs and Quarantine. The captain may go ashore at the small yacht club on the SE corner of the anchorage to find out when the clearance officers are arriving but everyone else must stay aboard and nobody may visit the incoming yacht until after clearance. Note that the officers require cash - Vatu, Australian, American, New Zealand dollars - they do not take credit cards, travellers cheques or personal cheques. Also, the bank in Lenakel does not accept credit cards.
Many yachts we have talked to have wished they had come straight to Port Vila to clear in where there is far less confusion and immediate clearing and a world class protected port with an easy, lit entrance.
Entering in Luganville
Luganville is the second major clearance port of Vanuatu. The entrance is not lit but the pass and Segond canal is deep and clear of dangers. Obtain instructions on VHF Channel 16 for inward clearance procedures. Yachts anchor at the quarantine bouy near the main wharf or, if travelling in a group, they may use a mooring at Aore Resort, or anchor at the Beachfront Resort. Yachts must have permission from Customs to clear in at these resorts.
The quarantine anchorage and to a lesser extent the Beachfront Resort anchorage are exposed to the SE trade winds and can experience some chop - although the holding is good. Aore Resort is more protected.
Entering in Sola
Sola is the northernmost port of entry into Vanuatu. It is on the island of Vanua Lava and the anchorage is called Port Patteson. Fly the Quarantine flag and anchor in the SW corner of the bay near the small wharf. The captain (only the captain) should take the dinghy ashore to the north of the wharf. Customs and Quarantine are near the wharf on the way to the village.
The following clearance instructions are adapted from the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue Department Notice to Masters of Visiting Yachts and Small Craft.
Customs notice:
Yachts may not stop at any other island or anchorage in Vanuatu until after officially clearing in.
Yacht Clearance formalities in Port Vila
Days and Times to obtain clearance
The international and inter-island outward clearance will be granted only on Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 11:00 hours and 13:30 to 16:00 hours. The offices are closed on public holidays and weekends.
Arrival
When you arrive in Port Vila anchor in the quarantine zone near the yellow buoy. This is just north of the lead markers in some 8 to 20 meters depth. Have your yellow quarantine flag flying. Call Port Vila Harbor Control on Channel 16. They keep radio watch from 7:30 to 16:30. If they do not answer, try Yachting World on Channel 16. They will contact Customs and Quarantine for you. These officials will arrive with their own skiff. If you arrive on Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday you might as well catch up on sleep and chores on the boat as you won't be clearing in except during working hours. Do not go ashore without first clearing in without explicit instructions by radio or telephone from customs officials instructing you otherwise.
Allowed Stay and Conditions
Immigration officers will issue each member of the crew with an entry permit for one month providing you live aboard and do not take up paid employment. Should you wish to extend your stay you must apply to the Immigration authorities 4 weeks in advance (e.g. when you clear in) in any of the ports of entry except Sola on Vanua Lava. The maximum stay is four months.
NOTE: Residents of some countries and all people wishing to stay more than 4 months must obtain a visa before entering Vanuatu - more information on Vanuatu visa requirements.
Anyone on board ceasing to be a crew member must obtain a return air ticket immediately. Responsibility for advising the immigration authorities when a crew member wishes to leave lies with the master who will be liable for crew member repatriation unless and until released from this obligation.
Sea-going yachts or other vessels for pleasure temporarily visiting Vanuatu may be admitted free of duty provided that in each case the vessel:
(a) has entered Vanuatu under its own power on a voyage from a foreign port or place; and
(b) belongs to or has been hired, chatered or otherwise loaned to a person or person travelling on board the vessel at the time of its arrival in Vanuatu; and
(c) is intended for the personal use of the person or persons on board and shall not be used for any commercial purpose in Vanuatu; and
(d) shall not be sold ,lent,hired pledged or otherwise disposed of and shall not be used for any commercial purpose in Vanuatu; and
(e) shall not remain in Vanuatu for a period or periods exceeding a total of 18 months in any period of 24 months, save for reason of circumstance (including a change of residence) accepted by the Director of Customs as being of an exceptional and unavoidable nature.
Yachts will become liable for duty if it is disposed of in Vanuatu, if it is used for commercial purposes, if it remains in Vanuatu for a period exceeding 18 months in any two years, or if it is imported by a resident of Vanuatu.
Commercial Goods
Any commercial goods carried on board that will be landed in Vanuatu or are in transit through Vanuatu, must all be declared to Customs authoriy on arrival by the Masters of the vessels or its crew members. Failure to do so may result with the confiscation of the yacht(s)/pleasure boat(s).
Arms and Ammunition
On arrival all arms and ammunition must be declared and surrendered to the Customs Officer for safe keeping. If Customs is satisfied the firearms and ammunition can be safely secured under seal onboard this may be allowed. In cases where no suitable secured sealing arrangements exist, the goods will be held by Customs until departure. You must notify Customs 48 hours in advance of your intended departure from the final port of clearance. If you intend to depart from a port of clearance other than the one you arrived at, it is a good idea to provide at least a week's notice.
Prohibited Goods
Automatic and semi automatic weapons are not to be brought into the country at all as these are strictly prohibited and severe penalties are in place for any breach of these prohibitions.
You may not have onboard obscene publications, or videos, narcotics (other than genuine medical emergency drugs).
Customs Allowances
Each crew member is allowed:
- Personal baggage consisting of wearing apparel, toilet requisites, articles of personal adornment, and similar personal effects to be owned and used aboard by each crew member and which are not intended for gifts, sale or disposal to any other person.
- Persons over 15 years of age are allowed 250 cigarettes of 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 litres of wine and 1.5 litres of spirit, 1/4 litre of toilet water and 10 centilitres of perfume.
- Other items up to a value of 50,000 Vatu per person aged over 15 years.
- If the vessel has goods, especially tobacco or alcohol, in excess of these allowances, they must be secured under customs bond until departure.
Port Dues
All visiting small craft must pay port dues of 7,000 Vatu for the first 30 days or any part thereof. After 30 days from the date of first arrival, the vessel is liable for an additional charge of 100 Vatu per day. Port Dues are paid at the customs office at the final port of departure.
Danger, overhead wire.
An overhead electric cable extends from the eastern side of Iriki island and Vila. No vessel with a mast exceeding 25 meters height from the waterline may attempt to pass under the cable. The maximum clearance is 28 meters close to the Vila side of the channel. Violation of this restriction is subject to penalties plus costs of any damages.
Anchor Lights
All vessels in movement or at anchor in the port of Port Vila shall carry the required navigation or anchor lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Reported infractions will make the master or owner of the vessel liable to penalties under the Harbour Light Act.
Quarantine
No live animals, reptiles, birds of any description, fresh meat, fruit or vegetables imported by yachts may be taken ashore. Restrictions on what may or may not be left on board will be determined by the officers of the Department of Agriculture. No foreign garbage may be landed in Vanuatu without permission form the Quarantine Service.
Inter-Island Voyages
On completion of Customs and Immigration formalities at the port of entry, masters of any vessel wishing to visit other islands in the group must declare their intended movements to the Customs authorities and obtain an inter-island clearance.
Duty Free
Duty-Free goods may be shipped on board any vessel which has cleared outwards, or which is about to clear outwards, for a foreign port. Quantities allowed to be shipped shall be commensurate with the length of the anticipated voyage. Apply at the Customs Office for appropriate forms and conditions at the time of departure.
Outwards Clearance
All yachts leaving Vanuatu for a foreign port are required to obtain an outward clearance from Customs and Immigration authorities at the final port of clearance. No yacht is allowed to call at any island once it has been given an outward international clearance. |
