Anchoring and clearance in Port Vila

Where superyachts anchor off Port Vila, how yachts clear in, port dues and the Customs rules for superyacht charter.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Anchoring

Anchoring off Port Vila

Source: Yachting World Port Vila, a yacht services business on the waterfront.

SuperyachtsSuperyachts normally anchor in the outer harbour just to the north-west of the quarantine buoy. There is good holding there and swinging room for several superyachts.

Quarantine anchorageA yacht entering at Port Vila must anchor next to the yellow quarantine buoy at 17°44.275 S 168°18.597 E, in about 10 to 12 m on a coral rubble bottom. Yachting World says the holding is not the best.

Inner harbourAn overhead wire blocks the inner harbour, so superyachts need special refuelling and clearance procedures. Yachting World gives 21 m for its sea wall marina and 20 m for its swing moorings.

LandingSuperyacht crew can drop off passengers at the Yachting World Diesel Dock or the Waterfront Bar and Grill dinghy dock.

RadioCall Yachting World on VHF channel 16 between 08:30 and 17:00. It is closed on Sunday and public holidays and open on Saturday until 12:00. It also gives an office number, 23273.

Clearance

Clearance, ports of entry and port dues

Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue, Notice to Masters of Visiting Yachts and Small Craft (undated).

Ports of entryLenakel on Tanna, Port Vila on Efate, Luganville on Santo and Sola on Vanua Lava are the only ports of entry.

NoticeEvery craft on the way to Vanuatu gives Customs at least 24 hours of advance notice by email. The notice states the vessel name, the last 3 ports, the estimated arrival time, the port, the master, the contact person, the passengers and any goods to land.

ReportingThe master reports to Customs, Quarantine and Immigration at one of the four ports. It is an offence to come ashore before customs clearance.

Other placesA vessel may not call at Mystery Island, Port Resolution or any other place before it clears in, unless the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue gives written permission.

Other islandsAfter clearance, the master declares intended movements and needs formal approval to visit other islands. An Inter-island Cruising Permit, issued to cruising small craft, is valid for up to six months.

Port duesVUV 7,875 for 30 days or any part of 30 days, then VUV 100 a day. They are paid at the Ports and Harbour office or, if it is unavailable, at the Customs office at the final port of departure.

StayA visiting yacht may stay without paying import duty for up to 18 months in any 24 months if it is for personal use and not used commercially, except super yachts that meet the charter criteria. Customs issues an initial 6 months for stays over 6 months.

LeavingA yacht leaving for a foreign port takes outward clearance at its final port of departure. It must depart within 24 hours of the certificate unless the Director approves.

Check the rules for your passport.

Superyachts

Superyachts, charter and quarantine

Superyacht charter

Customs treats a vessel valued above VUV 200,000,000 as a super yacht. To charter in Vanuatu it needs survey certificates that permit charter or carrying passengers, permission from the Licensing section of Ports and Marine, and a local agent registered for VAT with a business licence. The agent pays VAT on purchases and charter costs.

Quarantine

Live animals, reptiles, birds, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables must not be taken ashore. No foreign garbage may be landed without permission from Bio-security (Customs notice).

Penalties

Customs says a master who visits those places before clearance may be subject to fines or prosecution. Yachting World summarises the regulations as a fine of up to VUV 5 million and up to two years in prison for each violation.

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