Customs & Quarantine

Conditions of entry:

All vessels sailing into Australia are required to give prior notification of their estimated time of arrival to several Government Agencies, namely: Australian Customs Service, Department of Immigration, Port Authorities and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. For smooth processing you can either contact them direct through any Telstra Coastal radio station on 2182khz. Alternatively you can contact Major Yacht Services to do it on your behalf and to arrange for a berthing officer to come to your vessel at the time of arrival. In either case, 96 hour notice is preferable to ensure a quick and painless clearance.

Customs will require the following information prior to your arrival.

• name of the craft
• the intended port of entry
• the last port of call
• the number of people on board & passport details.
• if there are any animals on board
• details of any illness recently encountered
• if weapons are carried
• the estimated time of arrival

Important documents:

• All on board the vessel will need a valid Passport and where necessary an Australian Visa.
• All foreign crew members must hold a valid Superyacht Crew Visa
• All on board are required to complete a passenger card and traveller’s statement.
• The Master must have proof of clearance from his last overseas port of call

Control permits:

A control permit will be issued to the Master provided Customs is satisfied that the craft is transiting in Australia & not involved in Commercial enterprise. Control permits can be issued for a maximum period of 12 months or to the length of the Master’s Visa, whichever is less. Extension of the permit will be considered on application.

If circumstances of the craft’s presence in Australia change, Customs must be advised as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in a Control permit being revoked, at which time payment of duty and sales tax may be required.

If the Master wishes to fly home and return later, appropriate control over the craft must be arranged and Customs advised.

Passenger survey certificate:

Any visiting overseas vessel seeking to operate commercially must as a minimum, hold a valid passenger survey certificate issued by another country or survey authority. The Waterways Authority would treat each application on a case by case basis.

Engaging in chartering or any commercial activities between States and/or the Northern Territory in Australia, for example, from Sydney New South Wales to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, is subject to the provisions of the Navigation Act 2012. Any owner or operator should contact, prior to arranging to offer or undertake such voyages, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business (DWRSB).

Please note: If you intend chartering your vessel whilst in Australian waters you could be subject to Australian taxation laws. In this regard more details can be provided directly from the Australian Taxation Office, or by phoning us on: +61 – 2 – 9810 7200.

Quarantine Regulations:

Prohibited goods and restrictions:

The master and all those on board a craft should be aware of the strict laws prohibiting or restricting the import and export of drugs, weapons and firearms, heritage items and animals and articles subject to quarantine and wildlife protection. The penalties for breaking these laws are severe. If the craft is carrying anything which may fall into these categories, they must be declared to Customs.

Remember: You must not call in, go ashore, or land any goods (including animals) before you’ve received clearance. If you have an animal on board you must confine it, you’ll also be required to moor in mid-water. Australian quarantine laws are very strict with regard to domestic pets and it is recommended that, where possible, pets remain at home. Pets are not allowed to be brought ashore.

What can be brought into Australia?

After inspection and possibly treatment, you may be allowed to bring in:

• animal trophies (if professionally prepared and authorised by a taxidermist)
• bone and shell articles
• most Chinese herbs and medicines
• dairy products from New Zealand
• baby food (no more than 1kg)
• dried, cooked, canned or bottled foods except those on the following list:
  • holy water
  • rawhide, drums and artefacts, partially cured hides, skins or leather goods

rice, flour and spices

• wooden articles, including cane and bamboo
• Honey free of comb.

What cannot be brought into Australia?

• Birds, feathers or poultry products
• Eggs and products containing eggs
• Cereal seeds, dried beans or peas
• Dairy products other than from New Zealand
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Bee products (except honey)
• Live plants, animals or insects
• Meat and meat products (fresh or dried) including canned pork, salami, ham and beef jerky
• Plant cutting or bulb
• Fresh or dried salmon and trout
• Soil or sand
• Straw, hay packing or stuffing
• Straw ornaments.

Almost every kind of food available elsewhere in the world can be found in Australia, either locally produced or imported under strict conditions.

If a vessel provisions in Australia and returns with those stores still on board, all dry stores, canned goods and packaged frozen goods identifiable as Australian origin will be acceptable. Fresh fruit and vegetables and foreign frozen meat will not be allowed clearance on return to Australia regardless of origin. This is because of the risk of infection/contamination.

Ballast water:

Ballast water guidelines include measures in relation to:

• Ballasting in safe areas at the port of uptake.
• On route treatment of ballast water, including fully exchanging ballast at sea, or on board water treatment (proposed treatments should be cleared beforehand with Australian Agriculture.)
• De-ballasting on arrival, including a commitment not to discharge ballast, treatment methods approved by Agriculture and discharge of ballast and sediment into approved areas nominated by Australian Agriculture.

Ship masters may use one, or a combination of these measures.

In addition ship masters should avoid the release of sediment discharge when ballast is released. This can be helped by:-

• Ensuring wherever possible that ballast taken on is free of sediment
• Ensuring ballast tanks and any holds used for ballasting are kept clean.
• Avoiding ballasting in shallow water where sediment uptake is more likely.
• Avoiding ballasting when toxic blooms are occurring.

Navigation:

Sydney Harbour is a busy commercial port. Approaches to the Harbour and transit within the harbour, using either the east or west channels, are prominently marked on Charts AUS197, 200 and 203 inclusive.

Leads and channels are well lit and easily identifiable. You can contact Sydney Harbour Control on VHF Ch16 three hours before ETA at Sydney Heads and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 13

Pilotage:

Recreational or privately owned vessels (under 30 metres) do not require a pilot unless they are carrying fare-paying passengers. If required, pilotage can be arranged by contacting Sydney Sea Pilots, or Major Yacht Services direct.

Radio Frequencies:

• VHF Ch 13 – 16 is Sydney Harbour Control
• VHF Ch 12 is used for General Instructions
• VHF Ch 67 is used after clearing Bradleys Head (halfway down the harbour) and
• VHF Ch 17 is Waterways Control