Small Craft & Yachts - If you are you looking for shelter or a place to rest-up after a long journey at sea? you need to stock up on food, water, or call family members to tell them where you are or if you just want to visit Norfolk Island... you are welcome.... you do need to however comply with Customs and Immigration policies.
 

What will you need to clear Customs : Advice to the Skipper, Captain

  • The small craft report form is required on arrival at Norfolk Island. Click on the following link to obtain a copy - Small Craft Report Form
  • You will need a signed and stamped Customs General Declaration from the previous port of departure. (We will issue you with a new Customs General Declaration for your next port of call.)
  • Passengers and crew will need to have a valid passport and in some cases may need to have a visa which is valid into Australia. See Advice to Travellers
  • You will need to make contact with Customs to arrange a time and place to effect clearance* - Initial contact with Customs on arrival at Norfolk Island can be made on Channel 16VHF (call sign " Norfolk Island Customs). Note that Norfolk Island Customs keeps a listening watch during normal working hours. Any calls after hours may not be answered by a Customs Officer.

Note: It is an offence to allow any person to board or disembark or to load or unload cargo without a Customs Clearance.

 

* Charges for Out of Hours - Charges occur when Customs clearance is requested outside of Customs normal working hours. See About Norfolk Island Customs. It is preferred that payment of out of hours charges be made in Australian Dollars. Extra bank service charges occur should you wish to pay in any foreign currency. An Automatic Teller Machine is available on the Island

 

Warning! Norfolk Island is surrounded by open waters and does not have a harbour anchorage. Landing at Norfolk Island can be very difficult and dangerous at times. It is advisable that when at Norfolk Island, you always leave a competent crew member on board and never leave the vessel unattended - seas can change very rapidly. (It would be advisable to obtain a chart of Norfolk Island (AUS 609) before arrival).

 
Cascade Jetty, Cascade
Ball Bay
Kingston Jetty, Sydney Bay
Mouse click to enlarge photo, double click to reduce
 
Concessions

Your personal concessions allows you to bring into Norfolk Island free of duty the following:

  • Goods obtained overseas with a total combined value of not more than A$900 (A$450 for passengers under 18. (Do not count clothing, toiletries and jewellery intended for your own personal use and not for gift, sale or exchange) and, if you are 18 years of age or over, you are entitled to;
  • 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger: and,
  • 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products

Goods that do not form part of the passenger concession

  • commercial samples,
  • goods for commercial use,
  • goods that may be of a commercial quantity,
  • gifts or goods carried on behalf of other persons not travelling on the same flight,
 

Note: If you are uncertain ask a Customs Officer before submitting your arrival card or for further details contact Norfolk Island Customs direct.

 
Prohibited Items

As with any border protection, certain items are prohibited. Most prohibited items are prohibited because of the impact it could have if allowed to be imported into the country. One single selfish act of smuggling could lead to the devastation of Norfolk Island as a tourist destination. Your assistance to preserve this destination would be appreciated.

Norfolk Island can boast that it is relatively pest free and crime free. The importation of certain goods such illicit drugs or plant material that may contain disease can have an impact on the lifestyle and freedom that Norfolk Island enjoys. We ask that any person travelling to Norfolk Island respect what we have and take into account the need to impose restrictions on certain items.

For example some items, which are prohibited, are

  • Foodstuffs – such as fresh fruit, vegetables, salads
  • Meats – Such as pork or poultry from New Zealand
  • Plants – Such as live plants, seeds (some seeds are acceptable, but are subject to certain requirements).
For further information on the above please contact Health & Quarantine
 
Drugs - such as dangerous drugs or illicit drugs. Any medical drugs carried on board the vessel must be declared and be kept in a secure place whilst anchored at Norfolk Island.
 
Weapons - All weapons or firearms carried on board the vessel must be declared.
 
Alcoholic Beverages - The importation of alcohol other than via passenger concession is restricted and requires permission in writing from the Norfolk Island Minister responsible, before importation. Any importation of alcohol over and above the passenger concession can attract charges or be bonded by Customs. Any undeclared alcohol in excess of the allowable limits may be confiscated and penalties may apply.
 
Tobacco products - attract a *high rate of duty and will be charged if tobacco products exceed your allowable limits. You may wish to have any excess amounts of tobacco products bonded and returned to you on departure. It is advisable that you check your allowable limits in the country you are returning to.
 
Be aware that it is an offence to conceal items from Customs and heavy penalties may apply to un-declared items!
 
Cargo Vessels & Cruise Ships -
Vessels carrying cargo or Cruise ships to Norfolk Island should contact Norfolk Island Customs through their appointed Shipping Agent (see below list)
Celtic Shipping Services
  • Ph. +6723 24338
  • Fx: +6723 23884
  • Email : jasmine@celticshipping.nlk.nf
Transam Argosy Pty Ltd.
  • Ph. +6723 22836
  • Fx. +6723 22886
  • Email : transam@ninet.nf
  • Website : www.argosy.nf
 
At the time of your Customs clearance you will need :
 
  • A signed and stamped Customs General Declaration from the previous port of departure. (We will issue you with a new Customs General Declaration for your next port of call.)
  • Passengers and crew will need to have a valid passport and in some cases may need to have a visa which is valid into Australia. See Advice to Travellers or contact Customs prior to arrival . See Contacts & Links
  • Passenger and crew list
  • Cargo manifest (If carrying cargo for Norfolk Island)
 
Note:The discharge of cargo is generally by way of Government lighters, and is governed by the Lighterage Act 1961
 
Photos- Unloading the Ship at Cascade Jetty (Mouse click to enlarge photo, double click to reduce)
 
Note: Charges for Out of Hours apply when Customs clearance is requested outside of Customs normal working hours. See About Norfolk Island Customs.
 
 

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Contact Details

Customs House Taylors Road Norfolk Island 2899

Ph (Int+) 6723 22140 | Fax (Int+) 6723 23260 | E-mail : customs@admin.gov.nf

Copyright © 1999 Administration of Norfolk Island All rights reserved.