Vanuatu

Scope

Visiting foreign yachts must clear Customs, Immigration and quarantine and remain aboard until clearance is granted. Vanuatu Customs yacht guidance requires at least 24 hours’ advance notice and directs yachts to a designated Customs port of entry first. Confirm visa, health and length-of-stay requirements separately for each person and voyage.

Official source: Vanuatu Customs: Visiting Yachts and Small Craft

Ports of entry / departure

The official yacht guide lists four Customs ports: Lenakel (Tanna), Port Vila (Efate), Luganville (Santo) and Sola (Vanua Lava). Apply in advance to use a location not on the list; unlisted places are not open entry points by default.

Official reference (the specific rules in this section have not been individually checked online): Notice to Masters of Visiting Yachts and Small Craft

Before arrival

All visiting yachts bound for Vanuatu must notify Customs at least 24 hours in advance, providing vessel name, last three ports of call, ETA, intended port, master’s name and contact details, passenger names and a list of goods to be landed. Send this through the channel listed in Customs guidance; confirm receipt and current requirements before departure.

Official source: Vanuatu Customs: Visiting Yachts and Small Craft

Vanuatu Immigration requires vessels/yachts to report to Immigration before arrival or departure and to use a designated port of entry. The master must submit crew and passenger lists as required and obtain immigration clearance before departure. The Immigration page also covers ordinary travellers; not every listed requirement necessarily applies to yacht crew.

A visiting yacht that sails under its own power from a foreign port for the private use of people aboard may qualify for temporary duty-free admission subject to Customs conditions. The yacht guide lists a cumulative limit of 18 months in any 24-month period; initial approval is usually six months, with extensions requested before expiry. The vessel may not be sold, rented or used commercially in Vanuatu. Superyachts have separate conditions; confirm directly with Customs.

Vanuatu Biosecurity requires food and other goods aboard to be declared on arrival and says they must remain aboard while in Vanuatu. Live animals and plants may not be taken ashore. Confirm arrangements for food, pets and waste with Biosecurity before arrival.

Declare and surrender all weapons and ammunition aboard to Customs on arrival. If Customs approves secure onboard storage, they may be sealed aboard; otherwise Customs will hold them. Notify Customs of the planned departure from the final port at least 48 hours in advance. Automatic weapons and certain other items are prohibited imports; confirm restrictions on specific items before sailing.

The master must report to quarantine, Customs and Immigration at a designated port of entry and obtain clearance. After completing formalities, declare the intended itinerary to Customs and obtain formal approval before proceeding to other islands. Out-of-hours Customs services may incur overtime charges; contact Customs in advance.

Fees and departure

Customs guidance lists a visiting-yacht port fee of 7,875 Vatu per 30 days; any period under 30 days is charged as 30 days. Each additional day after 30 days costs 100 Vatu. Pay at the port/harbour office or, if payment is unavailable there, at Customs at the final departure port. This is the listed port fee, not a separate departure-clearance charge. Confirm the current rate with Vanuatu Customs before sailing.

Official source: Vanuatu Customs: Visiting Yachts and Small Craft