Christmas Island - Customs
Arriving By Yacht:
Foreign yachts may now be temporarily imported into Australia for up to 3 years without paying duty or Goods and Services Tax. This can be accumulated over different seasons, however after the maximum 3 year period, yachts must be away from Australia for two years before being allowed back into Australia – otherwise, duty and GST are payable immediately.
See more at Australia Customs.
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.
BioSecurity:
All personal food, plant and animal items must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card. 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 visit the Department of Agriculture & Water Resource’s website
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,28 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 focussed 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.
There is a limited boat repair facility on Home Island at Cocos Keeling on but this should be considered for emergency work only.
Last updated: July 2022
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Here is some general info about Christmas Island after our visit in August 2022.
We arrived from Darwin (where we had to clear out) and contacted the C.I. Harbour Master, who told us which mooring we could use. Note that you are not allowed to arrive at night. Clearing in was friendly and easy.
Laundry: coin-operated machines opposite Golden Bosun pub.
Wifi: Free at Golden Bosun (limited), Bank and neighbouring water company (unlimited); paid at Tourist Office. Local SIM cards are not available.
Rent e-bike at Tourist Office or e-mountainbike at Recreation Centre (possibly via Tourist Office).
Car rental: Kiat Car Rentals (0439 215 388); Soong Car Hire (0439 215 889) – use public phone outside post office for free calls.
Mooring: AUD 10 per day (50 per week) to be paid in cash.
Cash: there are no ATMs. Cash inside the bank (with passport), or ask for cash-out at the supermarket when paying by card.
Provisioning: ask around for local fruit and vegetables. There is a farm on Murray Road where you might get some. The supermarket across from the Tourist Information sometimes has local food. Imported fruit & vegetables are available the evening or morning after the weekly flight arrives.
Smuggling operations in this area – it is the closest port for Asylum seekers entering from Indonesia / Malaysia