Advice for Shipping, Small Vessels and Yachts
Are you looking for shelter or a place to rest-up after a long journey at sea? Do you need to stock up on food, water, or call family members to tell them where you are? Do you plan to make the journey to Norfolk Island just to visit or have you cargo to bring to Norfolk Island? Whatever the reason for the visit, you will be required to contact Norfolk Island Customs on or prior to your arrival. Vessels carrying *cargo to Norfolk Island can contact us through their appointed agent.
*(The discharge of cargo is generally by way of Government lighters, and is governed by the Lighterage Act 1961)
The small craft report form is required on arrival at Norfolk Island. Click on the link above to obtain a copy of the small craft report form.
Note !
It is an offence to allow any person to board or disembark or to load or unload cargo without a Customs Clearance.
What will you need to clear Customs?
(Advice to the Skipper, Captain)
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.)
Passenger and crew list
Cargo manifest (If carrying cargo for Norfolk Island)
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 (Immigration requirements)
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.
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 leave a competent crew member on board and that you NEVER LEAVE THE VESSEL UNATTENDED - seas can change very rapidly.
It would be advisable to obtain a chart of Norfolk Island (AUS 609) before departing your last port of call.
Concessions
The following concessions apply to persons travelling to Norfolk Island as a "Passenger".
1 litre of alcohol per person over the age of 18 years
200 cigarettes, or cigarettes, cigars or tobacco not exceeding 250 grams
$AUD200.00 duty free goods
Personal wearing apparel
Articles for personal hygiene, health maintenance, grooming or adornment
Prescribed personal effects - such as some sporting equipment, portable instruments, tools or equipment used by the passenger in the practice of the passenger’s profession or trade. For full details contact Norfolk Island Customs direct.
Food & Plant Materials.
Food and plant material should remain on the vessel during your stay at Norfolk Island. Food such as fresh fruit and vegetables must be kept secure. For further information contact Health & Quarantine or Customs direct.
WeaponsAll weapons or firearms carried on board the vessel must be declared.
DrugsAny medical drugs carried on board the vessel must be declared and be kept in a secure place whilst anchored at Norfolk Island.
Charges for "Out of Hours"
Charges occur when Customs clearance is requested outside of Customs normal working hours or on public holidays. Customs office working hours are between 8.45am and 5pm every day of the week, (except public holidays) and is subject to aircraft attendance on weekends. A Duty Officer is on call during all other hours. See Contacting 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.
Customs House Taylors Road Norfolk Island 2899
Ph (Int+) 6723 22140 | Fax (Int+) 6723 23260 | E-mail customs@admin.gov.nf