Christmas Island - Customs

Christmas Island Customs Procedures for Yachts

Rules:

Australia has strict laws and penalties may be imposed if you breach those laws by illegally importing:

• Drugs;
• Animal or plant material;
• Firearms, weapons or ammunition;
• Protected wildlife and products made from them;
• Some food items; and
• Some medicinal products including performance enhancing drugs.

Firearms must be declared to Customs.

It is not an offence to have firearms, weapons, ammunition or explosives. However,  it is an offence NOT to declare these items to Australian Border Force on your arrival.

Drugs:

You must report any drugs on board your craft to the Australian Border Force officer on arrival  and departure. This includes medications containing narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates and tranquillisers in your medical kit. If you use any of these drugs while in Australia  you must record this in the craft's logbook. A doctor's prescription may validate certain registered drugs.

Importing Parts/Spares:

Many products are flown or shipped to the island and prices reflect this. It may be possible to source spare parts but there are not many marine-focused businesses.  There are regular flights from Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia, so it may be possible to have goods shipped in on one of these commercial flights.  Check with Customs officials as they will be able to advise you on the process.

Last updated:  August 2024