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For Importers

Import Procedures for Papua New Guinea?

The National Trade Office is the Papua New Guinean government’s trade and investment development agency, and has no involvement in the import process into Papua New Guinea.

There are several central bodies in Papua New Guinea (PNG) that assist with importing into the country:

PNG Customs Service – The PNG Customs Service is responsible for regulating the import and export of goods into and out of PNG. It is responsible for collecting duties and taxes on imported goods, and enforcing trade regulations.

PNG Department of Trade and Industry – The PNG Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for promoting and regulating trade in PNG. It provides information and assistance to businesses looking to import goods into the country.

PNG Investment Promotion Authority – The PNG Investment Promotion Authority is responsible for promoting and facilitating investment in PNG. It provides information and assistance to businesses looking to invest in the country, including information on importing goods.

PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry – The PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a business organization that represents the interests of the business community in PNG. It provides information and assistance to businesses looking to import goods into the country.This article offers free shipping on qualified Face mask products, or buy online and pick up in store today at Medical Department

PNG Ports Authority – The PNG Ports Authority is responsible for managing the ports in PNG and facilitating the import and export of goods. It provides information and assistance to businesses looking to import goods into the country.

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NAQIA

The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) is mandated under the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority Act 1997 to provide sound scientific quarantine and inspection services to assist and encourage agricultural production by minimizing the risks of introducing exotic animal and plant pests and diseases.

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PNG Customs Services

Papua New Guinea Customs Services performs the critical role of protecting the communities, industries and the economy from the insidious effects of border crimes, production and distribution of objectionable materials and the consequential risks and threats.


Import Procedures

Whilst there is no central body that assists with importing into Papua New Guinea, we suggest you make contact with the following organisations for information and assistance.

When goods are imported into Papua New Guinea whether by sea, air or land. The owner is obliged by law to correctly declare goods to Customs.

Owners are warned that deliberate false declaration to Customs may resolt in the goods being seized and the owner or agent prosecuted.

A. Import Clearance Procedure

  1. The import clearance procedure requires the lodging of a declaration/entry (Customs Form 15) through Customs ASYCUDA World (AW) System.
  2. The entry can only be lodged by a licensed Customs Broker, who has been authorized in writing by the owner of the goods to act on his/her behalf through the form G26 agreement.
  3. The Customs Broker shall deal with all requirements/formalities needed to clear the goods through Customs, NAQIA and other, relevant border agencies prior to being released for home consumption.
  4. The import entry shall be made by the owner or agent at any time within five (5) clear working days before the intended arrival at the port of entry of a conveyance carrying the goods;
  5. And not later than five (5) clear working days from the date of the inwards report of the conveyance, or within such extended time as the Collector directs
  6. A requirement to enter goods does not apply to goods that, for a total shipment:
    1. Have a value for duty not exceeding 5000 Kina; or
    2. Are accompanied or unaccompanied personal or household effects of a passenger, or a member of a of a crew, of a ship or aircraft
  7. Goods that have a value for duty not exceeding 5000 Kina but otherwise require an entry to be made shall be reported to Customs and duty paid in an approved form.
  8. Good that have a value for duty not exceeding 250 Kina shall be deemed to have a “free” rate of duty.
  1. A genuine Licensed Customs Broker must be identified and nominated by the importer using Customs form G26 to lodge the import declaration with Customs.
  2. A Customs Entry (import declaration) is lodged through the AW system by the nominated Customs Broker. The relevant import document copies will be uploaded in the AW system for verification by Customs.
  3. If required by Customs, the Customs Broker is to print a hard copy of the entry with all relevant documents and produce it to Customs at a designated Customs office.
  4. The most important and often requested documents to confirm and verify the declarations made by the importer and Customs Broker are:
    1. Genuine Commercial Invoice showing the correct value, quality, description, etc.
    2. Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
    3. Purchase Orders
    4. Bank/Funds Transfer Documents
    5. Packing List
    6. Customs Valuation Declaration
    7. Certificate of origin and value (if applicable)
    8. Import Permits /License/Applications, etc (if prohibited/restricted)
    9. Any other documents as may be required by Customs, including relevant emails
  1. The checking and verification of the declaration and relevant source documents are part of Customs due diligence checks to ensure the goods are correctly classified and valued.
  2. Customs checks is done to ensure:
    1. Correct documents are submitted
    2. Goods have been correctly classified using the updated Customs Tariff Act
    3. Legitimate value of the goods is declared
    4. The correct rate of duty has been applied
    5. Restricted/prohibited goods are not imported

At any time up to the release of the goods from a Customs Controlled Area, Customs has the mandate to intervene and to examine shipment/s where intelligence and risk assessment indicate the likelihood of it containing prohibited or restricted imports.

  1. The payment of applicable duties and taxes as detailed on the notice of assessment issued by Customs.
  2. Import duties are payable by the owner or its agent at the rate in force when entry is made of the goods for home consumption.
  3. Here an assessment is made of an entry linked to a Customs prepayment account (if available), the AW System auto generates duty payment receipt for the total duty assessed on this account.
  4. Where an assessment is made of an entry not link to Customs prepayment account, the assessing officer shall issue a notice of assessment for duty payable to the owner or its agent of the goods.
  5. The duty specified in a notice of assessment is due and payable within 5 clear working days excluding weekends after the date of the issue of the notice of assessment.
  6. Where an amount of duty specified in a notice of assessment is not paid on or before the date specified in the notice and the notice has been issued to the owner or agent of the goods, the owner or agent of the goods shall pay to the Collector, in addition to the duty so specified:
    1. interest charges on the unpaid duty at the rate of 8% of the amount of the unpaid duty for each 5 days period or part thereof for which the duty remains unpaid until the duty is paid.
    2. An administrative penalty fee established by the Customs Act
  7. Importer or its agent may choose to settle import duties via electronic payment system or EFPOS, as Cash payment is not accepted.

B. Penalties for Non-compliances & Breaches of Legislation

  1. PNG Customs Service takes a very serious stance against non- compliance and breaches of the Customs Act and other allied legislation which it enforces.
  2. Impositions of substantial penalties will be applied against any non-compliance and breaches of legislation that is evident during the Customs clearance process.
  3. Administrative Penalty
    1. Penalties range from 50 – 200% of any additional duties and taxes assessed, and/or seizure of the goods and conveyances (vehicle, vessel or aircraft).
    2. The following will apply when a penalty has been imposed:
      1. Importers who do not make payments of any penalties within the prescribed period will have an interest added for any day thereafter the date due and may be referred for prosecution should the penalties remain unpaid.
      2. The importer will be profiled as non-compliance individual/company and their future import will be targeted and appropriate corrective actions will be applied by Customs
      3. Unless the reason is genuine, any appeal for remittance or remission or waiver of any penalties will not be addressed by Customs, unless payments of these penalties have been made
      4. The actual imported goods may also be detained and or seized, together with the imposition of penalties.
  4. Detention and or Seizure of Goods
    1. Customs will detain and/or seize without hesitation, any cargo and conveyance that does not satisfy any legal requirements for lawful clearance. Generally, Customs will observe the following, as per the Customs Act & Regulations:
      1. A Customs detention notice (Custody Receipt) and/or Seizure Notice is given to the importer advising of the seizure of any goods
      2. The importer has 30 days (inclusion weekends and holidays) after the notice to lay claim of the goods by deposit of a security bond and or take out court after this notice, to lay claim for the proceedings against Customs for the recovery of the goods
      3. If none of the above takes place, and after 30 days the Customs will dispose of the goods by sale through auction or any other means
      4. Administrative penalties, imposed, are independent of the seizure security amount, for recovery of seized goods, and must be paid separately.

C. Records of Imports

  1. It is mandatory that the owner of the goods and anyone who causes goods to be imported retain all relevant records in relation to those goods for a period of 5 years from the date of import.
  2. If the owner or other person is selected for Customs audit these records will be examined by Customs officers to ensure compliance with the Customs Act. Anyone who fails to retain these records carries severe penalties and this may include term of imprisonment.

D. Restrictions & Prohibitions

  1. The owner of imported goods should be aware the list of prohibited imports that they may only be imported under the authority of a permit or license, without which the goods are prohibited.
  2. A Schedule of goods that are restricted or prohibited absolutely can be seen in the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1973
  3. Nevertheless, restrictions and or prohibitions generally apply to goods that are of menace to the community e.g.; dangerous weapons such as firearms, illicit drugs, pornographic materials and copy right infringement goods etc.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA IMPORTS

Papua New Guinea is a diverse and resource-rich country that imports a wide range of goods from international markets. According to data from the World Bank, the top imports into Papua New Guinea in recent years have included machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery, iron and steel, and refined petroleum.

Machinery is one of the largest imports into Papua New Guinea, accounting for a significant share of the country’s total import expenditure. In 2019, Papua New Guinea imported $1.1 billion worth of machinery, making it the country’s top import by value. The majority of Papua New Guinea’s machinery imports come from Asian countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea.

Vehicles are another major import into Papua New Guinea, with the country importing $784 million worth of vehicles in 2019. Papua New Guinea imports a range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and other types of transportation equipment. The majority of Papua New Guinea’s vehicle imports come from Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.

Electrical machinery is another key import into Papua New Guinea, with the country importing $755 million worth of electrical machinery in 2019. Papua New Guinea imports a range of electrical machinery and equipment, including computers, telecommunications equipment, and electrical components. The majority of Papua New Guinea’s electrical machinery imports come from Asian countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea.

Iron and steel is another important import into Papua New Guinea, with the country importing $446 million worth of iron and steel in 2019. Papua New Guinea imports a range of iron and steel products, including steel bars, sheets, and pipes. The majority of Papua New Guinea’s iron and steel imports come from Asian countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea.

Refined petroleum is also an important import into Papua New Guinea, with the country importing $416 million worth of refined petroleum in 2019. Papua New Guinea imports a range of refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and other fuels. The majority of Papua New Guinea’s refined petroleum imports come from Asian countries, including Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.

In addition to these major imports, Papua New Guinea also imports a range of other goods, including chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. These imports help to support the country’s industrial sector and contribute to its economic development.

Overall, Papua New Guinea is a major importer of machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery, iron and steel, and refined petroleum, with these imports accounting for a significant share of the country’s total import expenditure. Papua New Guinea’s imports are primarily sourced from Asian countries, and the country’s diverse import needs are supported by a strong and growing economy.

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