On this page
Most cargo held at Pacific borders isn't contraband. It's a jar of homemade chutney in a household container, a muddy pair of footy boots, a gas bottle tucked in with the barbecue, or second-hand tools shipped to a country that wants a permit for them. None of it is sinister, but any of it can stop an entire container.
This guide explains what you can't ship to the Pacific Islands, what you can ship only with a permit, and the rules people miss most. The categories are similar across the region, but the details differ between countries and change over time, so always confirm current rules for your destination. For the wider picture, see our complete guide to shipping to the Pacific Islands.
Key takeaways
- Pacific restrictions come from three directions: customs, biosecurity and dangerous goods rules.
- Prohibited goods are banned outright. Restricted goods need a permit, licence or treatment before shipping.
- Food, plants, soil, animal products, untreated timber and used outdoor goods cause most biosecurity holds.
- Some countries regulate second-hand goods and specific products you might not expect.
- Dangerous goods must be declared, and many are refused in consolidated or self-pack containers.
Three sets of rules
Customs prohibitions and licences
Every country maintains a list of prohibited imports and goods that need an import licence. In Papua New Guinea, PNG Customs describes prohibited goods as items that are a menace to the community, such as illegal firearms, illicit drugs, pornography and counterfeit goods, and refers importers to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1973 for the full list. Importing restricted goods without a permit can lead to seizure and prosecution.
Biosecurity restrictions
Biosecurity authorities control anything that could carry pests or disease: food, plants, animal products, soil and the timber and containers goods travel in. In PNG this is NAQIA; in Fiji, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji; in Vanuatu, Biosecurity Vanuatu; and each other country has its own agency.
Dangerous goods rules
Shipping lines, airlines and ports apply international dangerous goods rules to anything flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or otherwise hazardous. These rules apply to how goods travel, regardless of whether the destination allows them.
Biosecurity: the items that cause most holds
| Category | Examples | Usual position |
|---|---|---|
| Meat and animal products | Fresh, frozen and dried meat, smallgoods, jerky, pork products | Permit required or prohibited |
| Dairy and eggs | Milk powder, cheese, egg products | Often permit required |
| Fresh produce | Fruit, vegetables, herbs | Permit required or prohibited |
| Seeds, nuts and grains | Garden seeds, raw nuts, rice, popcorn | Permit often required |
| Plants and plant material | Live plants, cuttings, bulbs, dried flowers, kava | Permit required |
| Soil and organic matter | Soil on tools, shoes, vehicles, potting mix | Prohibited; clean before shipping |
| Animal by-products | Skins, feathers, untreated wool, shells, bones | Permit or treatment required |
| Timber and cane | Untreated wood packaging, bamboo, cane and woven items | ISPM 15 or inspection and treatment |
| Used outdoor goods | Bikes, camping gear, garden tools, outdoor furniture | Must be clean; may be inspected |
General guide only. Requirements differ by country and product.
Two country examples show how seriously this is taken. NAQIA has destroyed undeclared and unclaimed food, including frozen chicken, meat slices, tinned food and rice, taken from the Motukea container yard, and has destroyed kava imported from Fiji without a permit. The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji inspects cargo of interest, including personal and household effects, and checks every vehicle and piece of machinery for soil, plant material and insects. See PNG biosecurity rules and ISPM 15 explained for detail.
Second-hand goods
Used goods attract extra attention because they're more likely to carry soil, pests and organic matter. Some countries go further. Biosecurity Vanuatu, for example, requires an import permit for reconditioned, recycled and second-hand goods, obtained before the shipment leaves. Before you send used furniture, appliances, tools, tyres or vehicles anywhere in the region, check whether a permit is needed, and clean everything thoroughly.
Goods that need an import licence or permit
Beyond biosecurity, many countries license specific products for trade, health, safety or revenue reasons. Some are predictable, others less so. In Fiji, for instance, according to US Government trade guidance:
- The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji issues import licences for agricultural commodities such as rice, dairy, poultry and meat.
- The Ministry of Finance licenses imports of gold and other precious metals, photocopiers with an optical system, and cigarette and other lighters.
- Lubricants and certain oils, including transformer, circuit breaker and hydraulic brake oils, need licences from the trade ministry.
Medicines and medical products commonly need health ministry approval across the region. Firearms, ammunition and weapons are tightly controlled everywhere. Motor vehicles are often subject to age limits, licensing and inspection rules. Ask your broker for a permit check on anything unusual before you ship. Our guide to customs brokers in the Pacific Islands explains what they can do.
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods aren't necessarily prohibited, but they must be declared, packed, labelled and documented correctly, and carriers can refuse them. Common household and business items that count as dangerous goods include:
- Gas bottles, including empty barbecue and camping cylinders that haven't been purged
- Petrol, diesel and fuel left in mowers, generators, chainsaws and outboard motors
- Paints, solvents, thinners and adhesives
- Aerosols, including deodorants, insect sprays and spray paint
- Lithium batteries, including power tools, e-bikes, scooters and spare batteries
- Pool chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides
- Matches, lighters, fireworks and flares
Most self-pack and consolidated container services refuse hazardous goods entirely. If you need to ship them, book them separately as declared dangerous goods with a forwarder who handles them. By air the rules are stricter again. See air freight vs sea freight to the Pacific.
Don't forget the Australian side
Some goods can't leave Australia without a permit, regardless of where they're going. These include certain wildlife and wildlife products, cultural heritage items, military and dual-use goods, and some food, plant and animal products that need export certification. Exporters of agricultural goods should check destination requirements in the Department of Agriculture's MICOR database. And an export declaration is needed for consignments worth more than AUD 2,000 or that require an export permit.
Packing a household container safely
- Leave out all food, including tinned and packaged food, unless you've confirmed it's allowed.
- Leave out plants, seeds, soil, potting mix and garden products.
- Clean bikes, prams, outdoor furniture, tools, shoes and sporting gear thoroughly.
- Drain fuel from all engines and purge or leave out gas bottles.
- Remove or declare batteries, aerosols and chemicals.
- Use cardboard, plastic or ISPM 15 marked timber for any packing.
- List everything in a detailed, honest inventory.
More in our guide to moving household goods to the Pacific Islands.
What happens if you get it wrong
Depending on the item and the country, undeclared or non-compliant goods can be seized, treated, re-exported or destroyed, usually at the importer's cost. Penalties can apply, and future shipments may be targeted for inspection. Worst of all, one problem item can hold an entire container while storage and detention charges build. Declaring something you're unsure about is always better than hoping it won't be found.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send packaged food to family in the islands?
Sometimes, but many packaged foods, especially those containing meat, dairy, eggs or seeds, need permits or are refused. Check the destination's biosecurity rules first, and never send food undeclared.
Can I ship an empty gas bottle?
Only if it's been professionally purged and certified gas-free, and many services won't accept them even then. It's usually easier to leave them behind.
Do I need a permit for second-hand goods?
In some countries, yes. Vanuatu requires a biosecurity import permit for second-hand goods, obtained before shipment. Check your destination's rules.
Where can I check the rules for my destination?
Start with the destination's customs and biosecurity authorities, and ask your forwarder or a local customs broker to check your packing list before you ship.
How this guide was researched
This guide draws on PNG Customs Service import procedures, NAQIA public statements and enforcement reports, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Biosecurity Vanuatu permit forms, US Government trade guidance on Fiji import licensing, Australian Government export guidance, and the author's experience preparing commercial and household cargo for Pacific clearance. Rules change, so confirm current requirements before you ship.
Written by
Peyton Brown
Senior Editor of The Pennsy's Pacific shipping desk, with more than a decade in Pacific freight operations, documentation and customs coordination across Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
More from Peyton