For normal commercial flights only one airport in Papua New Guinea has a full-time Customs, Immigration and Quarantine presence and that is Jacksons International Airport located in the capital city of Port Moresby.
Currently all visitors to Papua New Guinea travel through Jackson's Airport and transfer to domestic airlines to complete their journey to locations within Paua New Guinea.
Operators should note that any aircraft arriving from or departing to overseas may only do so from a Customs approved airport. Some smaller airports around the country are approved to accept mine supply flights and private and charter flights but as Customs and other agencies do not have a full-time presence at these airports operators should check with Customs before finalising their flight plans.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE AT OTHER AIRPORTS
There is no full-time Customs, Immigration or Quarantine presence at non-international airports. Operators are required to obtain prior approval from Customs for flights into and out of non-international airports.
PERMISSION TO ARRIVE/DEPART AT OTHER AIRPORTS
Operators must submit a Request for Approval to Customs within the time limits specified to allow relevant border agencies the time required to consider applications.
The first point of contact for requests for flights carrying passengers and crew to or from non-international airports is Customs and the request must be lodged with Customs at least 30-days before the intended arrival or departure date.
Private aircraft or commercial aircraft carrying less than 10 passengers must lodge their request with Customs within 5 clear working days before the intended arrival or departure date.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
If the flight is approved, the following conditions will apply.
(Please note that other conditions might also be imposed).
Provision of Advance Passenger Information (API)
Under the Customs Act operators are obliged to provide a report on all passengers and crew on board in advance of the flight arrival or departure, and must do so within strict time limits. Failure to comply attracts heavy fines.
Collection and remittance of Passenger Movement Charge (PMC)
Collection of K30 PMC from all departing, except non-exempt, passengers and remittance to the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) by the 21st day of the month succeeding the month in which the departure of the flight occurred together with a list of any exemptions granted. A late penalty payment applies.
Pay other costs
Pay any Customs, Immigration or Quarantine clearance costs that might be applicable. This will vary from flight to flight depending on airport location and the time of arrival or departure. Costs may include costs for officer travel, accommodation, overtime and potential airport infrastructure changes that may be necessary to provide a secure processing environment.
A breach of one or any of the conditions imposed by Customs under section 25(3) of the Customs Act attracts heavy fines in addition to possible forfeiture.
Customs, Immigration and Quarantine will provide the operator with separate accounts after completion of the flights.
PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATION
Customs will liaise with relevant border agencies and the Department of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority following receipt of a Request for Approval from a flight operator to arrive at or depart from a non-international airport. In granting approval to land or depart, consideration will be given to resource implications and the adequacy and availability of existing facilities for processing international passengers.
Customs will formally notify the operator of its decision and of any conditions imposed under Section 25(3) of the Customs Act. The appropriate regional Customs office will contact the operator after approval to discuss processing arrangements.
