Heard Island and McDonald Islands
HM · HMD
As of: 6/23/2026
Unbewohntes Naturschutzgebiet / CCAMLR-Fischereizone
Capital: none
Australisches Aussengebiet (ausserhalb der GST-Zone)Seefracht (Forschungs- und Fischereischiffe)Import VAT: Keine lokale GST: Das Aussengebiet liegt ausserhalb der australischen Indirect Tax Zone (Festland-GST 10 Prozent). Stand 2026.Customs: Sonderfall (kein regulaerer Handel)Risk: hoch (Naturgefahren, keine Infrastruktur)Pharma/Cold Chain: keineDangerous Goods: geringE-Commerce: keine
Overview
Heard Island and McDonald Islands (ISO code: HM) are uninhabited subantarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about 4,100 km southwest of Perth. They are an external territory of Australia, administered directly by the Australian Antarctic Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Heard Island holds Australia's only active volcanoes, including Mawson Peak on the Big Ben massif (2,745 m), the highest point in Australian territory outside the Antarctic. The islands and surrounding waters form a strictly protected Commonwealth marine reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and are a UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed 1997). There is no permanent population, no port and no airport, and no commercial trade takes place on the islands. Economic relevance is limited to scientific research and to the commercial fishery for Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish in the Australian exclusive economic zone, managed by AFMA under CCAMLR. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD); access requires an EPBC permit.
Mentioned countries
Area412 km²
0CurrencyAustralian Dollar (AUD)
Economic areaAustralisches Aussengebiet (ausserhalb der GST-Zone)
ContinentAntarktis
Religionskeine
ISO codeHM / HMD
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Keine lokale Zollbehoerde; Australian Border Force (ABF) fuer Australien zustaendig, Gebietsverwaltung durch die Australian Antarctic Division (DCCEEW)Import system
Kein lokaler Zollbetrieb. Unbewohntes Gebiet ohne Hafen- oder Flughafeninfrastruktur; Gueter gelangen nur per Schiff fuer Forschung und Versorgung. Australisches Aussengebiet ausserhalb der GST-Zone.
Export system
Keine kommerziellen Ausfuhren ab den Inseln. Fischfang erfolgt in der australischen AWZ und wird ueber australische Festlandhaefen (Fremantle, Hobart) ein- und ausgefuehrt, nicht ueber die Inseln.
Import VAT
- Keine lokale GST: Das Aussengebiet liegt ausserhalb der australischen Indirect Tax Zone (Festland-GST 10 Prozent). Stand 2026.
Customs complexitySonderfall (kein regulaerer Handel)
Import documents
- Zutrittsgenehmigung (EPBC Act Permit der Australian Antarctic Division)
- Schiffsmanifest fuer Versorgungsgueter
Export documents
- Fischerei: CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme (Faengdokumentation Zahnfisch)
- AFMA-Fanglizenz
Origin proofs / FTA
Nicht relevant: kein eigener Warenursprung und kein Handel vor Ort. Fuer australische Ware gelten die Freihandelsabkommen Australiens.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Strenges Zutritts- und Entnahmeverbot: gesamtes Gebiet ist Commonwealth-Meeresreservat (EPBC Act 1999). Jede Aktivitaet ist permitpflichtig; Einschleppung fremder Arten und Biomaterial verboten.
Export controls & sanctions
Als australisches Gebiet gelten australische Sanktionen (Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, DFAT) sowie die Ruestungs- und Dual-Use-Exportkontrollen (Defence Trade Controls Act 2012).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Rest) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments. Depending on the destination (Oceania, Middle East, or other regions), steps, pre-filings and documents may differ.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Top import partners
keine
Top export partners
keine
Top import goods
Ausrüstung für wissenschaftliche Expeditionen
Top export goods
keine
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Seaports / access ports
- Keine Hafeninfrastruktur; nur Ankerplaetze (Atlas Cove, Spit Bay)
Top trade lanes
- Hobart / Fremantle (AUS) - HIMI (Forschungs- und Versorgungsfahrten)
- HIMI-AWZ - australische Festlandhaefen (Fischerei)
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskhoch (Naturgefahren, keine Infrastruktur)
Customs delay risknicht relevant
Port congestion risknicht relevant (keine Haefen)
Risk notes
Extreme Abgelegenheit (rund 4'100 km suedwestlich von Perth), keine Infrastruktur und keine Rettungsdienste vor Ort. Aktiver Vulkan Big Ben mit Mawson Peak. Zutritt nur mit Genehmigung.
Seasonal & weather risks
Subantarktisches Klima: ganzjaehrig Sturm, hoher Seegang, Treibeis und Gletscher. Anlandungen nur in kurzen Sommerfenstern (Dezember bis Maerz) und stark wetterabhaengig.
Current logistics notes
Kein regulaerer Verkehr. Zugang via Australian Antarctic Division per Schiff ab Hobart oder Fremantle; juengste HIMI-Kampagne 2025-26 (EPBC-Permit gueltig bis 2035).
As of: 2026-06-23
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-23
Official sources
- antarctica.gov.au
- afma.gov.au
- dcceew.gov.au
- ato.gov.au
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Can goods be imported to or exported from Heard and McDonald Islands?
No. The islands are uninhabited and have no port, airport or customs operation. No commercial trade takes place. Only research expeditions are supplied by ship, and only under permit.
Who administers the territory and how do you get there?
It is an Australian external territory administered directly by the Australian Antarctic Division (DCCEEW). Access is only by ship from Hobart or Fremantle and requires an EPBC permit.
Does Australian GST or customs duty apply?
The external territory lies outside Australia's indirect tax zone, so no local GST applies (mainland rate 10 percent). With no trade or customs operation on site there are no regular import charges. As of 2026.
Is there a fishery and how is it regulated?
Yes, in the Australian EEZ around the islands. The target species are Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish. The fishery is managed by AFMA under CCAMLR catch limits and is MSC-certified; catches are landed on the Australian mainland.
What risks exist for vessels in the region?
Very high natural hazards: subantarctic storms, heavy seas, drift ice and glaciers, plus the active Big Ben volcano. There is no infrastructure and no rescue services on site. Landings are only possible in short summer windows.
What protection and sanctions rules apply?
The entire area is a strictly protected Commonwealth marine reserve under the EPBC Act 1999 and a UNESCO World Heritage site; every activity requires a permit. As Australian territory, Australian sanctions (DFAT) and export controls also apply.
Which trade partners are important for Heard Island and McDonald Islands?
This page links to important partner countries (based on import/export partners) for quick context.
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Heard Island and McDonald Islands?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Last updated:
Next steps
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