Advance Notification
All marine craft vessels wishing to enter the Cook Islands must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Entry Points: Vessels must enter through one of the two designated Customs Ports. See Ports of Entry below.
- Advanced Notice: Before arriving at a designated Customs Port, the vessel’s master must complete Form 29 – Advanced Notice of Arrival (Small Craft) and submit it at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Email tocustoms.craft@cookislands.gov.ck, using the following format for the email subject and files:
-
- ANA
- the name of craft
- voyage or sail number if available
- estimated time of arrival into the Cook Islands
- e.g. ANA, Banana Split, 30/11/2023
Failure to complete and send this form is a criminal offense. For any urgent enquiries contact Customs House +682 55368 or email: customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck
Biosecurity:
You must also advise Cook Islands Biosecurity of your arrival port and date, either by emailing the staff(s) of your planned destination or by e-mail to: moa.biosecurity@cookislands.gov.ck
Ports of Entry
Currently, the only open ports are Rarotonga (Avatiu Wharf), and Aitutaki(Arutanga Port). All other ports are temporarily closed.
For vessels intending to visit Palmerston Island, Suwarrow Island, or other islands in the Cook Islands that are not designated ports of call, the following steps must be taken:
- Advanced Notice: Vessel master must complete Form 29 – Advanced Notice of Arrival (Small Craft) and submit it at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
- Arrive at a designated Customs Port
- Complete Form 27 (CI Border Agencies application for marine craft to arrive at or depart from a place outside a designated Customs Port) and submit it to customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck
Note: this procedure requires approval from border officials and takes five working days to process. If you are arriving at a designated port to obtain clearance to non-designated islands, please submit the necessary information/documents well in advance along with your Form 27 submission.
Cook Islands Customs Officials recommend that all persons in charge (master) of small craft vessels submit all documentation and await customs approval before departing from their last port, as space in the country’s ports is very limited.
On weekdays, you can expect a response to your request within 24 hours. Officials do not operate on weekends, so responses may take up to 72 hours during that time. Unless in Emergency situations.
For any questions, submission of forms regarding marine craft vessels please email customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck with your request.
Cook Islands Arrival Procedures for Yachts
General Procedure
All vessels must fly the Q Flag until cleared by Port Health.
Approval to berth or land must be sought through the Harbourmaster and clearance received from a Customs Officer.
- For a list of paperwork that must be presented on arrival see Arrival and Departure Information for Marine Craft on the Government website.
- The Cook Islands Port Authority also have a Cruising Yacht Guide to the Cook Islands.
Report to Customs immediately on arrival. All other crew must remain on board until the boat is cleared. The skipper must also contact Immigration (often provided by Customs) and Biosecurity. Failure to follow these rules is taken very seriously.
Domestic Cruising in the Cook Islands
It is a requirement for all yachts entering the Cook Islands at one of the official ports of entry to obtain clearance papers prior to visiting other islands in the Cook Islands.
You will be asked for an explanation as to why you wish to visit other islands.
When visiting all other islands following the port of entry, the captain should check in with Customs and the Resident Administrator, if present.
Cook Islands Departure Procedures for Yachts
International Clearance
You should advise Customs at least 72 hours before your intended departure to ensure that there is no delay. Complete the Outward Report – Small Craft to give to Customs on departure along with completed departure cards and passports of all crew. If all forms are correct, they will issue you with a Certificate of Clearance. Once clearance is granted, you must leave immediately.
Under no circumstances can a yacht intending to depart to an overseas place to go to any other place in the Cook Islands following their departure from a nominated Customs Port of Entry or other authorized place. If due to extenuating circumstances, you are required to do so, you must immediately advise the Cook Islands Customs Service (24 hours) on phone: (+682) 55368.
Yachts Intending to Arrive at, or Depart from, Suwarrow Island and Palmerston Island
Suwarrow and Palmerston Islands are designated as Non- Customs Port of Entry. Marine craft intending to arrive at or depart from Suwarrow Island and Palmerston Island must obtain authorization from the Controller of Customs in advance. See the Suwarrow Clearance section for more details.