The Master/Captain/Owner or Shipping Agent of a ship arriving in Papua New Guinea is required to provide Customs with a notice of the ship’s impending arrival. The impending arrival report must include the estimated date of arrival of the ship at the first port in PNG or any subsequent port that the ship intends to visit. The report is required 48 hours before the nominated date of arrival indicated by the impending arrival report. If the journey from the last port is likely to take less than 48 hours, the report is required 24 hours before the estimated date of arrival.
Ships carrying cargo must communicate with the impending arrival report a cargo report (manifest) to Customs including all goods intended to be unloaded from the ship or remaining on board. This must also be submitted via the Customs ASYCUDA or to a Customs office 48 hours prior to the ship's arrival.
Shipping representatives or agents in PNG can also assist in meeting reporting obligations determined by Customs legislation.
Aside from the cargo report (manifest), ships will be required to produce the following reports on arrival:
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Clearance from the last port of call
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Inwards Manifest
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It’s voyage/ itinerary
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Consumption List
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Articles in Possession
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Crew List Appendix
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Passenger List
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Transires (This form is required when a vessel is reporting from another port in PNG)
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Collector’s Permit
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Application for clearance and guarantee to pay duty
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Certificate of Pratique (issued by National Department of Health)
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Ship’s Articles (if asked for by the Customs Officer)
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Ship’s Bunkers
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List of Ship’s Stores
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Any other information that the Chief Commissioner may require from time to time to ensure compliance with Customs Act or any other related Act of Parliament
A vessel search may be carried out where intel information about the ship’s movement is deemed suspicious of illegal activities.
Penalties for non compliance with PNG's border legislation can be severe. So if you have any doubts whether goods in your possession require a permit or special conditions are to be met, you are advised to contact Customs for further information.