Customs Information

Papua New Guinea - All

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Papua New Guinea

  • Passport
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Work permit / residence permit
  • Duty-free certificate (diplomats)
  • Immigration arrival card (completed upon arrival)
  • Terms such as miscellaneous and PBO-Packed by Owner are prohibited
  • Personal Effects Declaration authorized by the Commission of Oath

 CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • Expatriates must be working for a registered company and hold a valid work permit / residence permit.
  • One air and one sea shipment only can be imported duty free but duty will be levied on new items or items deemed in excessive quantities for personal needs.
  • Shipments should arrive within 3 months of the date of issue of the work permit / residence permit.
  • ALL FCL shipments that are none diplomatic are subject to Customs Examination. There may be additional charges for drayage to transport the containers for exam (check with destination agent).
  • CUSTOMER MUST BE IN COUNTRY FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE The owner of the goods must be present to sign a statutory declaration in front of a Commissioner of Oaths in Papua New Guinea.
  • Any new items must be declared and will be dutiable.
  • All shipments are inspected by both Customs and the Quarantine Department and are subject to demurrage.
  • Shipments may be subject to be off-loaded into a bonded warehouse in the port area.
  • Shipments can only be released after both Customs and Quarantine have approved its release.
  • All criteria the entire shipment will be subject to import duty at varying rates.
  • Diplomats are required to obtain a duty-free certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN/NGO/AID employees to obtain the same certificate by their sponsoring government department.
  • All shipments must be ISPM15 compliant or additional quarantine charges may apply.
  • Sea shipments take up to 30 days to clear and air shipments up to 10 days.
    • High demurrage may apply.
  • Household goods and personal effects should be shipped separately from commercial goods.

MOTOR VEHICLES

  • Duty free entry if vehicle has been in the owner's use and possession for 12 months or more, and not be sold or otherwise disposed of for 15 months after importation.
  • There is no restriction on the import of used vehicles.
  • All motor vehicles are subject to import duties and taxes as follows:
    • Smaller than 2700 cc                Duties 60%       GST 10%
    • Larger than 2700 cc                  Duties 110%     GST 10%
    • Buses, vans, passenger vans   Duties 10%       GST 10%

Documentation:

  • Customs declaration
  • Original purchase invoice
  • Insurance certificate
  • Maintenance invoices

PETS

  • The import of pets is subject to approval by the Chief Quarantine Officer.
  • Pets may enter as cargo only.
  • The quarantine period for dogs and cats arriving from Australia and New Zealand is 48 hours. 
    • The quarantine period from countries from other countries is 9 months

 DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • New items (purchase receipts required)
  • All electrical/electronic items must be declared and are dutiable; receipts may be required to prove ownership over 12 months.
  • Foodstuff is subject to quarantine
  • Alcohol (up to 1 L for persons 18 years and older)
  • Cigarettes (260), cigars (250 g), tobacco (250 g) for persons 18 years and older

 PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Plants
  • Soil
  • Seeds
  • Products from endangered animal species (such as ivory, skins, furs, feathers)
  • Narcotics
  • Firearms
  • Flick knives
  • Pornographic material
  • Gambling Instruments
  • Subversive or offensive literature