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The Solomon Islands is close to Australia and well connected to Brisbane, but it's a country of nearly a thousand islands with one main international port. Getting a container to Honiara is usually straightforward. Getting goods from Honiara to Gizo, Auki or a village in Makira is where the real planning starts.
This guide explains how cargo reaches the Solomon Islands, the ports you can and can't use, timelines, costs, customs and biosecurity, and how goods move on to the provinces. For the wider region, see our complete guide to shipping to the Pacific Islands.
Key takeaways
- Honiara is the main port of entry. Noro in Western Province is the second international port, with limited facilities.
- Since August 2024, imported goods may only be unloaded at the three declared international seaports.
- Australia to Solomon Islands services typically run on a rotation shared with PNG, roughly every couple of weeks.
- Imports currently attract goods tax, with a 15% VAT planned and expected around 2028.
- Provincial delivery depends on inter-island shipping, which needs extra time, packing and insurance.
Ports of entry
The Solomon Islands Ports Authority, established in 1956, operates the country's two public international ports.
- Honiara (Point Cruz) on Guadalcanal is the main port of entry, with berths for international vessels and a domestic wharf area with several jetties serving inter-island shipping.
- Noro in Western Province is a secondary international port with a single berth and limited facilities, closely tied to the fishing industry. It suits some cargo for the Western Province but isn't a substitute for Honiara for most container shipments.
Only declared ports can be used
In 2024 the Minister of Finance and Treasury directed that, from 8 August 2024, goods imported by ship may only be unloaded at one of three declared international seaports: the two Ports Authority ports at Honiara and Noro, and the privately owned Leroy Wharf at Ranadi in east Honiara. Unloading at sufferance wharves elsewhere isn't permitted. The government notice applies to businesses, licensed customs agents, NGOs, donor partners and individuals. If someone proposes discharging your cargo somewhere else, check that it's lawful first.
Shipping services and timelines
From Australia, the Solomon Islands is commonly served on rotations that also call PNG, departing the east coast through Brisbane. Swire Shipping, for example, announced a 16-day frequency on its Australia to Solomon Islands service in 2024, and other carriers have included Honiara on rotations through PNG ports. Cargo from New Zealand and Asia may route via Fiji or PNG.
| Leg | Indicative time |
|---|---|
| Sailing frequency from the Australian east coast | Roughly every couple of weeks, depending on the carrier |
| Brisbane to Honiara, port to port | Often around one to two weeks, depending on whether the vessel calls PNG first |
| Clearance and release in Honiara | From a few days to a couple of weeks |
| Onward to provinces | Depends on inter-island schedules, from days to weeks |
Indicative only. Rotations and frequencies change, so confirm the routing and transit time when you book.
Ask whether the vessel calls Honiara before or after PNG. The difference can be a week. Our guide to why transhipment matters covers routing questions worth asking.
Costs
The Solomon Islands is a smaller market than PNG or Fiji, with less frequent sailings and less competition, so per-container costs tend to be higher. Destination handling in Honiara, broker fees, goods tax and duty, and especially the onward leg to the provinces all add up. LCL services are less frequent than to the larger ports, which can make sharing an FCL the practical option for mid-sized shipments. See FCL vs LCL to the Pacific Islands and Pacific freight quotes explained.
Customs and tax
Imports are cleared by the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division, part of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, normally through a licensed customs agent. Provide the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and any permits early, so the entry can be prepared before the vessel arrives.
Goods tax now, VAT later
The Solomon Islands doesn't yet have a VAT. Importers pay goods tax, reported at 15% on imported goods, alongside import duty. A VAT Bill would introduce a single 15% VAT collected by customs on imports and replace several existing taxes, and reporting in September 2026 pointed to implementation around 2028. Until then, budget for goods tax and duty, and confirm current rates with your broker. See import duty and taxes in the Pacific Islands.
PACER Plus
The Solomon Islands has been a party to PACER Plus since December 2020, so goods originating in Australia or New Zealand may qualify for preferential duty on tariff lines the Solomon Islands has reduced. Preference is claimed with a declaration of origin from the exporter or producer.
Biosecurity
Biosecurity Solomon Islands inspects imported cargo, and its requirements follow the regional pattern: permits for plant and animal products, clean goods, and ISPM 15 compliant timber. African swine fever is present in neighbouring PNG, and pork products are a recognised risk pathway, so expect pork-containing foods to be scrutinised or refused. Ship clean, declare everything and see prohibited and restricted items and ISPM 15 explained.
Getting goods to the provinces
Most of the Solomon Islands' population lives outside Honiara, spread across Malaita, Western, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa, Choiseul, Temotu and other provinces. Goods for these areas usually travel from Honiara's domestic wharves on inter-island vessels, and sometimes on smaller boats for the final stretch.
- Clear customs in Honiara first. The provincial leg is a domestic movement.
- Unpack and repack where needed. Many provincial landings can't handle a full container, so goods are often unpacked in Honiara and shipped as loose cargo.
- Pack for rough handling. Strapping, waterproof wrapping and robust crates matter.
- Plan for irregular schedules and weather delays.
- Insure the whole journey, including storage in Honiara.
For heavy equipment and remote sites, see our guide to project cargo in the Pacific.
Weather
The Solomon Islands lies in the South Pacific cyclone region, where the season officially runs from November to April. Heavy weather can affect both international and inter-island shipping, so build in buffers for time-critical cargo in those months. See shipping during Pacific cyclone season.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a container directly to Gizo or Auki?
Generally not on an international service. Cargo is cleared in Honiara and moved on by inter-island vessel. Noro is the only international port outside Honiara, and its facilities are limited.
How often do ships sail from Australia to Honiara?
Roughly every couple of weeks on the main services, which often also call PNG. Confirm the current frequency and routing when you book.
Does the Solomon Islands charge VAT on imports?
Not yet. Imports currently attract goods tax and duty. A 15% VAT is planned, with implementation expected around 2028.
Can cargo be unloaded at a private wharf?
Only at a declared international seaport. Since August 2024 those are the Ports Authority ports at Honiara and Noro and Leroy Wharf at Ranadi.
How this guide was researched
This guide draws on Solomon Islands Government notices on declared seaports, Solomon Islands Ports Authority information, carrier service announcements, reporting on the Solomon Islands VAT reform, WTO and DFAT information on PACER Plus, regional biosecurity risk assessments, and the author's experience shipping to Honiara and the provinces. Rules and schedules change, so confirm current details 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.
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