Country Guide: Papua New Guinea

Due to the current coronavirus/COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.

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Updated: November 17, 2016

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Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required                                          

  • Passport
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Work permit / residence permit
  • Duty-free certificate (diplomats)
  • Immigration arrival card (completed upon arrival)

 

Specific Information

  • 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.
  • 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

Documents Required

  • Purchase invoice
  • OBL

 

Specific Information

  • 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%

Pets

Documents Required

  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health record

 

Specific Information

  • 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. 

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • 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

  • Pornographic materials
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Fireworks
  • Narcotics
  • Gambling instruments
  • Subversive or offensive literature
  • Agricultural products

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 


Cultural and Other Information

CIA World Factbook

Wikipedia Entry for Papua New Guinea





IAM Note: Customs regulations can change at any time with or without notice. This document is provided as a guide and for information only. While IAM has exercised reasonable care in publishing this document, IAM makes no representation, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or applicability.