Christmas Island - Bio Security

Biosecurity on Christmas Island

Biosecurity measures are not just restricted to the Australian mainland.   You will need to meet Australia's biosecurity requirements (under the Biosecurity Act) if you plan to visit Christmas Island, which is an Australian territory.

Pre-Arrival

All non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory must submit a pre-arrival report (PAR) using the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's web-based portal. The PAR must be submitted 90 days to 12 hours before arriving in Australian territory, however, Biosecurity leader for the Australian Indian Ocean, Stephen Gillow, requests that yachts start doing the biosecurity pre-arrival form well in advance of arrival.

Food, plant and animal items

Australia has very strict Biosecurity regulations so any banned foodstuffs including meat and meat products should be consumed or disposed of prior to your arrival.

All personal food, plant and animal items must be declared. A Biosecurity officer may inspect galley stores and other biosecurity items to ensure that they do not include prohibited goods or items infested with insects or disease. Treatable goods will be treated and returned to you. Prohibited goods will be either confiscated, bonded on the vessel for the duration of your stay, or re-exported at the owner's expense.

If you declare prohibited items, you may be given the option of re-exporting them. If you do not declare items of biosecurity concern, a substantial on-the-spot fine could be imposed or you could be prosecuted.

For further details on biosecurity issues for Christmas Island visit the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries website.

...................

COVID-19: 

• The declared State of Emergency for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands was lifted in August 2022.

Resources:

https://indianoceanterritories.com.au/

History:

• In recognition of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) being remote communities, and their vulnerability to coronavirus, a state of emergency was declared in both territories on 18 March, 2020.
• In July 2021, the Islands opened to travelers arriving by air.
• Maritime borders remained closed to visiting yachts.
• Maritime borders opened to visiting yachts on 10 June, 2022.
• 04 July, 2022, yacht forms were available online.
• 01 August, 2022, all pre-registration forms were dropped and restrictions lifted.
• 13 August, 2022, the state of emergency stopped.