New Caledonia

Scope

New Caledonia has local customs procedures; mainland French rules must not be applied automatically.

Jurisdiction note: Entry/visa, customs-territory and biosecurity rules here may differ from metropolitan France. Do not automatically apply mainland France EES, Schengen short-stay or EU vessel temporary-admission provisions.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Formalités douanières pour les navires de plaisance

Ports of entry and departure

Owners or masters of recreational craft arriving from or departing for a foreign country must make a customs clearance declaration at Nouméa Port.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Formalités douanières pour les navires de plaisance

Pre-arrival notification

Under New Caledonia's Customs Code, recreational craft arriving from abroad must generally proceed directly to Nouméa by the most direct route. Do not first call elsewhere in New Caledonia unless a statutory exception or special permission applies. After entering Nouméa Port, the master must immediately submit an arrival declaration to Customs in writing or electronically. For outward departure, submit a written or electronic departure declaration to Customs at least 48 hours before the planned departure. Exceptions may apply at ports/marinas covered by an agreement with Customs or under case-specific permission. Before sailing, confirm whether the destination has such an agreement, the clearance location and filing method.

Crew and passenger entry

New Caledonia has separate entry rules; eligibility for metropolitan France or a Schengen short stay does not apply automatically. Check for each person's nationality and status whether a visa is required. Anyone who needs a visa must hold a valid visa specifically marked as valid for New Caledonia. Some residence-permit concessions listed officially apply only to passengers on particular cruise-ship calls and should not be assumed to cover private-yacht crew or passengers. Before sailing, confirm arrival by sea, permitted stay and crew shore-leave rules with a French consular office and the New Caledonian authorities.

A private recreational vessel may qualify for temporary admission (admission temporaire, AT) for 12 months if registered outside the local customs territory to an entity established abroad and used by an entity established abroad. Commercial vessels and vessels that do not meet these conditions follow other procedures; a general duty exemption cannot be assumed.

EU territorial-scope limitation: The European Commission lists France's other overseas territories outside the EU territory, customs regime and VAT regime. Do not assume that New Caledonia is within the EU yacht temporary-admission zone because it is administered by France. Follow the local customs procedure.

Official source: European Commission: territorial scope

Quarantine and biosecurity

New Caledonia's DAVAR rules for private travellers and yachts require health declarations on entry for animals, foods/products of animal origin, plants and plant-origin foods/products, minerals and other listed items. Some also require permits or certificates; check the official list for exceptions. Dogs and cats require an import permit and health documents determined by origin. A yacht that does not meet the conditions must depart with the animals. Before arrival, confirm declarations, inspection, shore landing and disposal requirements for food, plants, pets and waste with SIVAP/DAVAR. Do not take relevant goods or animals ashore without approval.

New Caledonia Customs says drugs are absolutely prohibited. Import and export of weapons and ammunition generally require authorization from the competent authority; CITES-protected animals, plants and products may be prohibited or require permits. A separate rule for yachts/marinas that have an agreement with Customs says the vessel must not carry goods exceeding international traveller duty-free allowances or any restricted goods; otherwise the vessel must clear through a usual designated port. Cash, cheques, securities and similar instruments valued at or above EUR 10,000 equivalent must be declared by crew and passengers. Before departure, check permits for stores, firearms, medicines, radio equipment and protected-species products item by item. Personal-baggage rules do not establish an exemption for yacht stores.

Arrival procedures

Fly the Q flag after entering territorial waters and until the customs declaration is complete. Nouméa Port Customs is at 4 rue Félix Russeil, Nouville; counter hours are 08:30–11:00 and 13:30–15:00; telephone +687 26 54 10 / 26 54 13; [email protected]. Customs formalities do not replace approvals from other authorities.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Formalités douanières pour les navires de plaisance

Customs clearance is also required for departure; the source does not give a confirmed uniform total fee.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Formalités douanières pour les navires de plaisance