Tuvalu - Clearance
Tuvalu Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Tuvalu does not require advance notice of arrival. However, it is important that yachts do not stop at any of the other islands before clearing in (or out) at Funafuti. If you do so, even for an emergency, you might face difficulties with the police in Funafuti.
Ports of Entry
All yachts MUST clear in and out of Tuvalu at Funafuti.
Tuvalu Arrival Procedures for Yachts
- Fly the Q flag.
- For details of anchoring in the lagoon, see Funafuti.
- Anchor off the southern end of Vaiaku by the wharf, for clearance.
- If you arrived on a Sunday, drop the anchor and stay on board until Monday. Like many of the islands in the South Pacific, you can’t do anything on a Sunday, so be patient.
- No clearance is possible from 16:00 on Fridays until Monday morning.
The clearance procedure here is very straightforward.
All offices are located in the Government Building that can be seen from the anchorage. It is a large, white, three-story building at 08°31.468S / 179°11.676E.
Office hours differ for the Officials but are usually: Monday to Friday from 0900-1230 and 1400-1500.
1. Immigration – email: immigration@gov.tv
- Located in the Government building on the ground floor.
- Complete the immigration form and have your passports stamped.
- Note: Immigration officials may ask about alcohol, tobacco and drugs on board. Alcohol is limited is 4.5L of wine/beer or 2.250L of spirits per adult. The limit for tobacco and cigarettes is less than 200 sticks of cigarettes or less than 250g of tobacco products.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 0900-1230 and 1400-1500
2. Customs – email: tteaukai@gov.tv
- Customs officials are temporarily located in the Government building while the main office is being renovated. As of April 2025, Customs was still at the Government building
- The main office is located on the northern end of the atoll (down at the wharf) which is about a 30-45-minute walk (08°30.097S / 179°11.722E). Go up a few stairs, then knock on the 3rd door on the right of the north side of the building.
- A duty free fuel certificate can be obtained on departure, but officials require at least 24–48-hour notice. See this report from SV Sugar Shack from April 2025. You will need to write a letter and email to customs official. See this sample letter from SV Sugar Shack.
- Hours Monday to Thursday from 0900-1200 and 1345-1500; Friday from 0900-1200 and 1330-1430.
3. Health
- Located in the Government Building on the ground floor – north wing
- Pay a AUD$25-$35 fee
4. Biosecurity
- Located in the Government Building on the ground floor – south wing
- Complete the inspection form
It is recommended to get copies of all documents.
5. Permits
It is important to note that there are two different permits for travel in Tuvalu. These are for:
- Travel to outer atolls
- Travel to outer islands within Funafuti
Both permits are obtained at the Town Council building near the wharf (09°30.988S / 179°11.944E).
Anchorages Outside of Funafuti Atoll: You must apply for a permit which requires approval from Customs, Immigration and the local Atoll Chief prior to visiting. This can take a few days so be prepared to wait. Cost is dependent on the atoll and the activities you wish to do.
Anchorages Inside Funafuti Besides the Main Town Anchorage: You are required to alert Town Council of your wish to visit another island in Funafuti.
An Anchorage Fee of AUD$70AUD has to be paid to the cashier on the ground floor of Town Council building.
All islands and areas within the Conservation Area are prohibited. However, you can get approval to visit the islands on the East side, NE and SE side of the atoll.
Tuvalu Departure Procedures for Yachts
First stop is Immigration in the government building. Complete a Passenger Card and get your passports stamped. Then to the Customs office. Clearing out here may take a little longer if you have requested Duty Free Fuel as you may need to go to the Main Customs office to pick up departure paperwork and the approval letter for your duty free fuel.
There are no fees payable.
Last updated: May 2025
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November 2019
No longer possible to visit any of the islands outside of Funafuti lagoon. We asked several times, but were refused permission.
You also require a ‘cruising permit’ to visit any of the other islands/ areas within the lagoon but outside of the main anchorage area.
This costs $100 aud and is obtained by visiting the council office ( about 20 mins walk north of the government offices)
Port control advised we berth to new wharf and await clearance. After a couple of hours we had visits from customs and immigration. All stamped and cleared we were advised to visit health people at hospital. Next day was fine. Skipper went alone and completed documents. He was advised there would be a $25 charge but health people said this is no longer the case. No charges for entry or exit.
The seven motus south of the commercial passage are now conservation areas. A fee plus a guide are required to visit. Everywhere else in the lagoon is open for visiting.
Still no possibility of visiting other atolls without returning to Funafuti to clear out.
Wifi is available at the telecom building $20 for 1.5gig
There is a market for fresh vegetables open 6am Saturday and Tuesday.wait at the farm gate on other side of airport terminal.put name on list for your share of distribution cost us $15 for six distributions.take the crew as each person collect their pile after the staff shares it out. Was a great place to talk to locals while it all came together.
Beer available at steel cage window located front of hotel down the road from bank.
November 2018:
Check-in is easy, first Immigration, then Health (cost 25 AUD) in the Hospital and Customs at the Wharf at the end of the town (30 min walk) After that it is highly recommended also go to the Town Council. There you get the permit to cruise in the lagoon. Without this permit the police boat comes and you get fined.
Cost of the permit:
Cruising 50 AUD
Snorkeling 10 AUD per person
Going ashore 50 AUD
You get this price list from the Town Council
No chance at all to get a permit to visit other atolls.
The impression was that the officials are not willing to change this in the future