Import Regulations – Papua New Guinea

Australia is by far PNG’s largest source of imports and is also its number one export market. Australia provided 52,3 per cent of PNG’s merchandise imports in diverse categories including industrial and agribusiness products, food and beverages and household wares.

Australia’s merchandise exports to PNG totalled $ 1,6 billion. In 2007 Australia imported $ 2,5 billion worth of goods from PNG.  Two way merchandise trade is valued at around A$ 4,1 billion annually, making PNG our 20th largest trading partner.

Import licenses are not generally required although permits are needed for a small range of permitted animal products and livestock, plants, seeds, weapons and paramilitary equipment.

It is prohibited to import into Papua New Guinea the following items:
• uncooked poultry products (meat and eggs);
• some weapons;
• recreational drugs;
• pornography.

Restricted goods include: cooked and processed poultry products, weapons and firearms. For the latest a police permit is required.

There is a 10 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) applicable to most goods imported into PNG. VAT is collected as part of the normal procedure at the point of entry. There will also be a 10 per cent VAT charged on any customs or excise duty paid on importation.