Pitcairn Islands
PN · PCN
As of: 6/27/2026
Abgelegenes Insel-Kleinstgebiet; Versorgung per Charterschiff
Capital: Adamstown
Britisches Überseegebiet (kein Zollverbund)See (Charterschiff)Longboatbegrenzt Luft (nur via Mangareva)Import VAT: Keine Mehrwertsteuer/VAT und keine Einkommen-, Kapital- oder Unternehmenssteuer. Einnahmen v.a. aus UK-Budgethilfe, Landegebühren, .pn-Domains, Philatelie sowie Honig- und Kunsthandwerkverkauf.Customs: mittelRisk: hochPharma/Cold Chain: geringDangerous Goods: geringE-Commerce: gering
Overview
The Pitcairn Islands (ISO code: PN) are a British Overseas Territory in the South Pacific comprising Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno; only Pitcairn is inhabited. Its roughly fifty residents are mostly descendants of the HMAV Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. The main settlement is Adamstown above Bounty Bay, while part of the administration sits in Auckland, New Zealand, around 5,300 km away. The climate is tropical-maritime. The economy rests on subsistence farming, beekeeping (honey), fishing, handicrafts and limited tourism; significant revenue comes from UK budgetary aid, .pn domain registrations and postage stamps. Logistically it is one of the most remote places on earth: there is neither an airport nor a deep-water port. Supplies arrive via the chartered MV Silver Supporter from Tauranga (New Zealand) and through Mangareva in French Polynesia, with cargo and passengers landed by longboat at Bounty Bay. There is no VAT and no income tax. The national currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
Mentioned countries
Area47 km²
Population50
CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Economic areaBritisches Überseegebiet (kein Zollverbund)
ContinentOzeanien
ReligionsChristentum
ISO codePN / PCN
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Pitcairn Islands Government (Einfuhr-/Biosicherheitskontrolle über die Inselverwaltung)Import system
Kein elektronisches Zollsystem. Güter kommen per Charterschiff MV Silver Supporter ab Tauranga (NZ) bzw. über Mangareva (Französisch-Polynesien); manuelle Abfertigung durch die Inselverwaltung.
Export system
Geringe Ausfuhren (Honig, Kunsthandwerk, Souvenirmarken) per MV Silver Supporter Richtung Neuseeland; manuelle Abwicklung durch die Inselverwaltung.
Import VAT
- Keine Mehrwertsteuer/VAT und keine Einkommen-, Kapital- oder Unternehmenssteuer. Einnahmen v.a. aus UK-Budgethilfe, Landegebühren, .pn-Domains, Philatelie sowie Honig- und Kunsthandwerkverkauf.
Customs complexitymittel
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Frachtdokument (B/L Versorgungsschiff)
- Biosicherheitsfreigabe (Biosecurity Ordinance)
- ggf. Einfuhrgenehmigung (Waffen, Alkohol)
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Frachtdokument (B/L Versorgungsschiff)
- ggf. Ursprungserklärung des Lieferlandes
Origin proofs / FTA
Kein eigenes Freihandelsnetz und kein Teil des UK-Zollgebiets. Der Warenursprung richtet sich nach dem jeweiligen Lieferland, meist Neuseeland oder Französisch-Polynesien.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Strenge Biosicherheit (Biosecurity Ordinance 2024): Einfuhr von Bienen, Honig, Pflanzen und Tieren stark reguliert oder verboten. Waffen und Alkohol genehmigungspflichtig (Sale and Use of Liquor Ordinance).
Export controls & sanctions
Kein eigenes Sanktions- oder Exportkontrollregime; als britisches Überseegebiet gelten die einschlägigen UK- und UN-Massnahmen.
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
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Sea
highAir
n/aRoad
n/aRail
n/aInland Waterway
n/aCargo airports
- Kein Flughafen auf Pitcairn; nächster Zugang Flughafen Totegegie (GMR) auf Mangareva, danach Schiff
Seaports / access ports
- Kein Tiefwasserhafen; Anlandung per Longboat in der Bounty Bay (Adamstown)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Unbefestigte Inselwege, u.a. The Hill of Difficulty (Bounty Bay - Adamstown)
Top trade lanes
- Pitcairn - Mangareva (Französisch-Polynesien)
- Pitcairn - Tauranga / Neuseeland
- Pitcairn - weltweit (Honig, Kunsthandwerk, .pn-Domains, Briefmarken)
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskhoch
Customs delay riskhoch (seltene Schiffsverbindungen)
Port congestion riskgering
Risk notes
Versorgung hängt am Charterschiff MV Silver Supporter (etwa vierteljährliche Frachtfahrten ab Neuseeland, dazwischen Pendelfahrten ab Mangareva). Kein Hafen: Umschlag per Longboat, bei hohem Seegang nicht möglich.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropisch-maritimes Klima; gelegentliche Zyklone und hoher Seegang können die Longboat-Anlandung in der Bounty Bay verhindern und die Versorgung verzögern.
Current logistics notes
Stand 2025/2026: MV Silver Supporter verkehrt zwischen Mangareva und Pitcairn, mit Quartalsfahrten ab Tauranga (NZ) für Fracht. Anreise via Tahiti-Mangareva plus Schiff.
As of: 2026-06-27
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-27
Official sources
- government.pn
- visitpitcairn.pn
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Are there customs duties or VAT in the Pitcairn Islands?
The Pitcairn Islands levy no VAT and no income tax. Imports are checked manually by the island administration; the focus is on biosecurity and permit requirements rather than a classic customs tariff system.
How do goods reach the Pitcairn Islands?
Via the chartered vessel MV Silver Supporter: it sails quarterly with cargo from Tauranga (New Zealand) and shuttles between Mangareva (French Polynesia) and Pitcairn in between. There is no airport and no port.
Why is there no port?
Pitcairn is a steep volcanic rock without a natural deep-water harbour. Ships anchor offshore; cargo and passengers are brought into Bounty Bay by traditional longboats. In heavy swell, landing is not possible.
Which currency is used in the Pitcairn Islands?
The legal tender is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
What do the Pitcairn Islands export?
The main exports are honey (PIPCO) and handicrafts. Further income comes from the sale of postage stamps and the registration of .pn domain names.
Which import restrictions matter most?
The Biosecurity Ordinance 2024 strictly regulates or bans the import of plants, animals, bees and honey. Weapons and alcohol require a permit. The aim is to protect the fragile island ecosystem.
How do you travel to the Pitcairn Islands?
By air from Tahiti to Mangareva (Gambier Islands), then about 32 hours aboard the MV Silver Supporter to Pitcairn. Visitors need a licence; a visa fee of NZD 300 per person applies.
Which trade partners are important for Pitcairn Islands?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Pitcairn Islands?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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