Christmas Island - Clearance
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION FOR CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Christmas Island is an Indian Ocean Territory, administered by Australia and therefore all yachts wanting to enter or depart Australia from here must comply with Australian Border Force (ABF) Procedures. This includes giving notice of impending arrival at least 96 hours before arrival. Penalties may apply for failure to do so.
See Australia/Formalities for full details of clearance procedures.
To ensure a smooth transition into Christmas Island the following form ALSO needs to be completed well in advance of your anticipated arrival – in addition to the mandatory advance notification to the ABF.
ABF form B333 – Small Craft Arrival Report
Email to:
- yachtreporting@homeaffairs.gov.au, and
- ChristmasIslandDistrictOffice@abf.gov.au, and
- IOT@agriculture.gov.au.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES FOR CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Advance Notification:
Vessels that arrive during the night are requested to advise ABF of their arrival after 08:30 the following morning. However, night arrivals are discouraged for safety reasons.
Prior to arrival you also need to contact portmanager@harbour.cx to arrange mooring, fuel, supplies etc.
General process:
On arrival at Christmas Island contact the Harbour Master ‘Christmas Island Port Control’ on VHF Channel 16 for mooring instructions. The use of mooring buoys is mandatory, unless otherwise authorised by the Port Manager/ Harbor Master.
On arrival at Flying Fish Cove, contact the ABF Christmas Island District Office and DAFF (Biosecurity) for inwards clearance, before disembarking. Everyone must remain on the vessel until it has been inspected and cleared.
See the Fees section for mooring charges.
Christmas Island International Clearance Requirements:
On arrival at Christmas Island you will need to provide the following information:
- the name of your craft;
- the craft’s country and port of registration;
- the last four ports you visited and last port clearance;
- the details of people on board including name, date of birth, nationality and passport number;
- details of any illness or disease recently encountered;
- if you have any animals on board; and
- if you have any firearms on board.
Each person on board will need to provide the following documents.
- a valid passport; and
- a valid Australian visa and completed Incoming Passenger Card (this card will be provided by ABF officials on arrival).
Flying Fish Cove Port Manager / Harbour Master (PM/HM) should be given a courtesy call once clearance procedures are complete. See the Flying Fish Cove port page for details.
DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Prior to departure, vessels are to notify the ABF and request a Certificate of Clearance (form B958).
The ABF Office is located at 3 Tong Chee Road Settlement or contact their office on +61 8 9164 7228 or mobile +61 439 215 125. Open 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday.
Note: Discuss your departure intentions with the ABF officer during your inwards clearance.
For further information visit the ABF website at www.abf.gov.au
Outward clearance is also required by the Harbour Master on leaving, when all bills must be settled. See the Flying Fish Cove port page for contact details.
Last updated: December 2023
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Formalities: Clearance Agents
Related to following destinations: Christmas Island
Country Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Christmas Island
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comFormalities
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Here is some general info about Christmas Island after our visit in August 2022.
We arrived from Darwin (where we had to clear out) and contacted the C.I. Harbour Master, who told us which mooring we could use. Note that you are not allowed to arrive at night. Clearing in was friendly and easy.
Laundry: coin-operated machines opposite Golden Bosun pub.
Wifi: Free at Golden Bosun (limited), Bank and neighbouring water company (unlimited); paid at Tourist Office. Local SIM cards are not available.
Rent e-bike at Tourist Office or e-mountainbike at Recreation Centre (possibly via Tourist Office).
Car rental: Kiat Car Rentals (0439 215 388); Soong Car Hire (0439 215 889) – use public phone outside post office for free calls.
Mooring: AUD 10 per day (50 per week) to be paid in cash.
Cash: there are no ATMs. Cash inside the bank (with passport), or ask for cash-out at the supermarket when paying by card.
Provisioning: ask around for local fruit and vegetables. There is a farm on Murray Road where you might get some. The supermarket across from the Tourist Information sometimes has local food. Imported fruit & vegetables are available the evening or morning after the weekly flight arrives.
Smuggling operations in this area – it is the closest port for Asylum seekers entering from Indonesia / Malaysia