Entering by boat: Vanuatu
What to do to enter Vanuatu by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Based on official sources, checked on 28 October 2026.
Before you arrive
- Notify the authorities 24 hours before arrival.
- Online procedure: Formulaires interactifs de la douane (Inward Reporting, Passenger Arrival, Outward Reporting) à remplir et envoyer par e-mail — customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/travellers/yacht-clearance
The steps
- Email the interactive arrival forms to Customs at least 24 h ahead.
- Arrive at one of the four ports of entry, Q flag up, stay on board.
- Customs and biosecurity (quarantine): inward clearance and fees.
- Immigration: the skipper brings all passports for visas.
- Get the inter-island cruising permit before leaving the port of entry.
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Outward clearance from the previous country
- General declaration
- Biosecurity declaration
Good to know
- Only four ports of entry and departure: Lenakel (Tanna), Port Vila (Efate), Luganville (Santo) and Sola (Vanua Lava). Fines or prosecution for stopping elsewhere before clearance.
- Port Resolution (Tanna) and Anelghowhat (Aneityum) are not ports of entry: prior written approval required (Port Resolution: 48 h ahead via the Lenakel office).
- At least 24 h advance notice of arrival to Customs, by email.
- Offices Mon-Fri 07:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30; overtime charged outside (3-hour minimum per officer).
- Port dues: 7,875 vatu per 30-day period, then 100 vatu per day after the first month.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
Espiritu Santo
Vanua Lava (îles Banks)
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- customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/travellers/yacht-clearance
- customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/blog/archived-articles/vanuatu-customs-standardize-operating-procedures-for-small-craft-controls.html
- vanuatu.travel/plan/cruising/visas-immigration
- noonsite.com/?p=45943
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.