Sydney Harbour

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Passport and Visa requirements

All those on board, including the Master, will need to hold a current passport and, where required, a valid Australian Visa, and are required to complete passenger card and traveller's statement.

Crew on Articles of Agreement do not require a Visa or Travel Authority to travel to Australia. However, those crew who have individual contracts with the vessel's owner must have some form of Visa/Travel Authority prior to arriving in Australia. Travel Authorities include Australian Government issued Visas, Electronic Travel Authorities, or possession of either an Australian or New Zealand Passport.

Crew on Articles of Agreement are allowed to go ashore for short term leave without issue of a Visa/Travel Authority. However, whenever they sign off for extended leave or are repatriated to their home country, a Customs Officer must attend the vessel. Similarly such crew joining a vessel must also be 'signed on' by a Customs Officer.

Customs Officers may visit your vessel without notice, to check the security of items sealed on board, check for compliance with the conditions of permission issued, or to search for items such as undeclared drugs or weapons.

Prohibited goods and restrictions

The Master and all those on board a vessel should be aware of the strict laws prohibiting or restricting the import and export of drugs, weapons and firearms, heritage items, animals and articles subject to quarantine and wildlife protection. The penalties for breaking these laws are severe. If the vessel is carrying anything which may fall into these categories, they must be declared to Customs.

All weapons on your craft must be reported to Customs. A permit from the relevant State or Territory Police Service is required before you can carry firearms ashore. Certain weapons are prohibited in Australia and may be detained in safe storage for transhipment to your intended port of departure (at Customs' expense) or may be subject to seizure. At the time of boarding, Customs officers will assess the adequacy of storage aboard your vessel. If such weapons storage is not sufficiently secure, Customs will detain your weapons in safe storage and arrange for their return before your departure from Australia.

Further information about Customs procedures and legal requirements can be obtained by contacting the Australian Customs Service on:
Telephone: 61 3 9244 8969 (24 hours)
Facsimile: 61 3 9244 8970
Email: information@customs.gov.au
Website: www.customs.gov.au

Departure procedures

The Master of a vessel should notify the closest Australian Customs office of the details of the intended departure from Australia, and arrangements will be made regarding the necessary paperwork to be completed, and a time and place for the outward immigration processing. Where possible, it is preferable that at least 48 hours notice is given.