Most shipments to PNG never come near a prohibited list, which is exactly why the ones that do can cause trouble. A carton of the wrong medicines, a drone or a box of plastic bags can turn an ordinary consignment into a seizure.
This guide explains the difference between prohibited and restricted goods, lists the main categories and shows how to check before you ship. It's part of our complete guide to shipping from Australia to PNG.
Key points
- Prohibited goods can't be imported at all; restricted goods need a permit or approval first.
- PNG's import prohibitions are set mainly by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation 1973 and related laws such as the Firearms Act 1978.
- Prohibited imports include pornography, counterfeit money, recreational drugs, certain weapons, white or yellow phosphorus matches, non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags and gambling machines.
- Firearms, medicines and many food, plant and animal products are restricted.
- Importing prohibited or restricted goods without a permit can lead to seizure, penalties and prosecution.
Prohibited or restricted?
PNG's rules fall into two groups:
- Prohibited goods can't be imported.
- Restricted goods can be imported, but only with a permit, licence or approval from the relevant agency, obtained before the goods arrive.
The main legal basis is the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation 1973, with its schedules listing goods and the conditions that apply. Other laws, such as the Firearms Act 1978 and PNG's biosecurity and health legislation, add their own controls. PNG Customs publishes a table of prohibited imports showing each item, the law that controls it and the agency responsible.
Goods PNG prohibits
According to the World Trade Organization's review of PNG's trade policy, prohibited imports include:
- pornographic material
- counterfeit banknotes and coins
- recreational drugs and narcotics
- certain weapons
- matches containing white or yellow phosphorus
- non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags
- machines for games of chance.
The plastic bag ban surprises a lot of Australian retailers and wholesalers. Check packaging as well as products.
Goods that need permits
| Goods | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Firearms, ammunition and weapon parts | Licence and prior approval under the Firearms Act 1978 |
| Medicines and pharmaceuticals | Import by a practitioner certified by the National Department of Health |
| Food, plants, seeds and plant material | NAQIA import permit, with treatment or certification conditions |
| Animal products and live animals, including pets | NAQIA approval and permits |
| Other controlled goods | Permits from the responsible agency, listed in PNG Customs' prohibited imports table |
For biosecurity permits, see our guide to NAQIA biosecurity rules for cargo entering PNG.
What Australia Post won't send to PNG
If you're posting goods, Australia Post's international post guide for PNG adds its own list of items PNG won't accept by post, including noodles, eggs and egg products, lard, plants and plant parts, manures and organic fertilisers, animal teeth and bones, playing cards and gambling instruments, chain letters, pornography and counterfeit money. Firearms are restricted, and used clothing is accepted only for use as apparel.
For more on sending parcels, see our guide to sending boxes and parcels from Australia to PNG.
Don't forget the Australian side
Some goods also need a permit to leave Australia, including certain food and agricultural products, strategic and dual-use goods, therapeutic goods, wildlife products and protected cultural heritage items. These need an export declaration regardless of value. Our guide to export documents for shipping from Australia to PNG explains the Australian requirements.
What happens if they arrive anyway
Prohibited goods are seized. Restricted goods that arrive without a permit are usually held until a permit is produced, re-exported or forfeited, and storage keeps accruing in the meantime. PNG Customs treats importing restricted goods without a permit, or making a false declaration, as a serious offence that can bring penalties and prosecution, on top of any administrative penalty. Our guide to PNG customs clearance explains how declarations are checked.
When in doubt, ask first
If you're not sure whether something is restricted, ask your PNG broker before it ships, with a clear description and, ideally, the tariff code. It's a quick question that can save weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send medicines to family in PNG?
Medicines are restricted in PNG and are generally imported by certified practitioners. Small personal quantities with a prescription may be treated differently for travellers, but sending medicines as cargo or by post is likely to be held.
Are plastic shopping bags really banned?
Non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags are listed among PNG's prohibited imports. Check the material of any bags you send, including as packaging.
Can I ship a firearm to PNG?
Only with the licences and prior approvals required under PNG's firearms laws. Without them, the firearm will be seized.
Part of our complete guide
This article is one step in Shipping from Australia to PNG: The Complete Guide. Other guides in the "documents, customs, and compliance" stage:
This guide is general information, current at the date of last review. Rates, schedules, duty rates and procedures change, so confirm the details of your shipment with a licensed freight forwarder or customs broker before you act.