# Vanuatu (VU)

**Capital:** Port Vila  
**Currency:** Vanuatu-Vatu (VUV) (VUV)  
**Population:** 327'777  
**Area:** 12'189 km²

> Vanuatu is an import-dependent South Pacific island state served by the two main ports of Port Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Espiritu Santo) plus Bauerfield (VLI) and Santo-Pekoa (SON) airports. Customs clearance runs through ASYCUDA World as a single window, and most imports carry 15 percent VAT. Free trade applies within the MSG and via PACER Plus with Australia and New Zealand. The December 2024 earthquake damaged the Port Vila wharf access, and reconstruction is under way.

Vanuatu (ISO code: VU) lies in the South Pacific east of Australia and north of New Caledonia and consists of an archipelago of more than 80 islands. Politically it is a parliamentary republic within the Commonwealth, with an elected president as head of state. The climate is tropical with warm temperatures, high humidity and a cyclone season from November to April. The economy rests on agriculture, fishing, tourism and services, with exports such as copra, kava, beef and fish providing key revenue. In external trade the country depends heavily on imports of consumer goods, fuel, food and building materials. Logistically Vanuatu is served by the ports of Port Vila and Luganville, the international airports of Bauerfield and Santo-Pekoa, and a limited road network. The national currency is the Vanuatu vatu (VUV).

**Top Import Partners:** AU, NZ, CN, SG, JP

**Top Export Partners:** JP, CN, AU, KR NZ

**Top Import Goods:** Nahrungsmittel, Treibstoffe, Fahrzeuge, Maschinen, Baumaterialien

**Top Export Goods:** Rindfleisch, Kopra, Kava, Fisch

**Key Airports:**
- [Bauerfield International Airport (VLI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bauerfield-international-airport-vli)
- [Gaua Island Airport (ZGU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gaua-island-airport-zgu)
- [Santo Pekoa International Airport (SON)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/santo-pekoa-international-airport-son)
- [Aneityum Airport (AUY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aneityum-airport-auy)
- [Aniwa Airport (AWD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aniwa-airport-awd)
- [Craig Cove Airport (CCV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/craig-cove-airport-ccv)
- [Dillon's Bay Airport (DLY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dillons-bay-airport-dly)
- [Forari Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/forari-airport-10783)
- [Futuna Airport (FTA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/futuna-airport-fta)
- [Ipota Airport (IPA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ipota-airport-ipa)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 15 Prozent VAT auf die meisten Einfuhren (Satz seit 2018).  
**Customs complexity:** mittel  
**Customs system:** Verzollung über ASYCUDA World als elektronisches Single Window in Port Vila und Luganville; Zollwert auf CIF-Basis, danach Einfuhrzoll plus 15 Prozent VAT.  
**Customs authority:** [Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR)](https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Pazifik-Inselstaat / importabhängiger Endmarkt  
**Economic area:** MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group)  
**Logistics risk:** mittel bis hoch  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** gering  
**Pharma/cold chain:** gering bis mittel

## FAQ

### Wie hoch ist die Einfuhrsteuer in Vanuatu?

Auf die meisten Einfuhren wird eine VAT von 15 Prozent erhoben (Satz seit 2018), zusätzlich zum jeweiligen Einfuhrzoll auf CIF-Basis.

### Welches Zollsystem nutzt Vanuatu?

Vanuatu verzollt elektronisch über ASYCUDA World als Single Window in Port Vila und Luganville.

### Welche sind die wichtigsten Häfen und Flughäfen?

Haupthäfen sind Port Vila (Lapetasi International Wharf) und Luganville; internationale Flughäfen sind Bauerfield (VLI) und Santo-Pekoa (SON).

### Welche Freihandelsabkommen gelten für Vanuatu?

Vanuatu ist Teil des MSG-Freihandels, von PACER Plus mit Australien und Neuseeland sowie WTO-Mitglied seit 2012.

### Was darf nicht nach Vanuatu eingeführt werden?

Verboten sind unter anderem Betäubungsmittel, obszönes Material, bestimmte automatische Waffen und geschützte Arten; Tiere, Pflanzen und Gebrauchtmaschinen sind permitpflichtig.

### Welche Wetter- und Naturrisiken bestehen für die Logistik?

Die Zyklonsaison dauert von November bis April; zudem bestehen Erdbeben- und Vulkanrisiken. Das Erdbeben vom Dezember 2024 beschädigte die Hafenzufahrt in Port Vila.

### Welche Währung gilt in Vanuatu?

Gesetzliches Zahlungsmittel ist der Vanuatu-Vatu (VUV).

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu](https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu)
- [https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/taxes-and-licensing/taxes/value-added-tax-vat/introduction.html](https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/taxes-and-licensing/taxes/value-added-tax-vat/introduction.html)
- [https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/customs/customs-valuation/how-customs-duty-charges-apply-at-import.html](https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/customs/customs-valuation/how-customs-duty-charges-apply-at-import.html)
- [https://vanuatucustoms.gov.vu/customs/services/prohibitions-restrictions.html](https://vanuatucustoms.gov.vu/customs/services/prohibitions-restrictions.html)
- [https://vanuatucustoms.gov.vu/customs/customs-revenue/free-trade-agreements.html](https://vanuatucustoms.gov.vu/customs/customs-revenue/free-trade-agreements.html)
- [https://mfaicet.gov.vu/index.php/about-us/trade-agreement](https://mfaicet.gov.vu/index.php/about-us/trade-agreement)
- [https://biosecurity.gov.vu/index.php/imports](https://biosecurity.gov.vu/index.php/imports)
- [https://ports.gov.vu/index.php/our-facilities](https://ports.gov.vu/index.php/our-facilities)

*Last verified: 2026-07-01*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vu](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vu)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vu](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vu)*