Cook Islands - Clearance
Cook Islands Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Advance Notification
All marine craft vessels wishing to enter the Cook Islands must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Entry Points: Vessels must enter through one of three designated Customs Ports. See Ports of Entry below.
- Advanced Notice: Before arriving at a designated Customs Port, the vessel’s master must complete Form 29 – Advanced Notice of Arrival (Small Craft) and submit it at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Email to customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck, using the following format for the email subject and files:
-
- ANA
- the name of craft
- voyage or sail number if available
- estimated time of arrival into the Cook Islands
- e.g. ANA, Banana Split, 30/11/2023
Failure to complete and send this form is a criminal offense. For any urgent enquiries contact Customs House +682 55368 or email: customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck
Biosecurity:
You must also advise Cook Islands Biosecurity of your arrival port and date, either by emailing the staff(s) of your planned destination or by e-mail to: moa.biosecurity@cookislands.gov.ck
Ports of Entry
Currently, the only open ports are Penrhyn (Omoka Wharf), Rarotonga (Avatiu Wharf), and Aitutaki (Arutanga Port). All other ports are temporarily closed.
For vessels intending to visit Palmerston Island, Suwarrow Island, or other islands in the Cook Islands that are not designated ports of call, the following steps must be taken:
- Advanced Notice: Vessel master must complete Form 29 – Advanced Notice of Arrival (Small Craft) and submit it at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
- Arrive at a designated Customs Port
- Complete Form 27 (CI Border Agencies application for marine craft to arrive at or depart from a place outside a designated Customs Port) and submit it to customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck
Note: this procedure requires approval from border officials and takes five working days to process. If you are arriving at a designated port to obtain clearance to non-designated islands, please submit the necessary information/documents well in advance along with your Form 27 submission.
Cook Islands Customs Officials recommend that all persons in charge (master) of small craft vessels submit all documentation and await customs approval before departing from their last port, as space in the country’s ports is very limited.
On weekdays, you can expect a response to your request within 24 hours. Officials do not operate on weekends, so responses may take up to 72 hours during that time. Unless in Emergency situations.
For any questions, submission of forms regarding marine craft vessels please email customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck with your request.
Cook Islands Arrival Procedures for Yachts
General Procedure
All vessels must fly the Q Flag until cleared by Port Health.
Approval to berth or land must be sought through the Harbourmaster and clearance received from a Customs Officer.
- For a list of paperwork that must be presented on arrival see Arrival and Departure Information for Marine Craft on the Government website.
- The Cook Islands Port Authority also have a Cruising Yacht Guide to the Cook Islands.
Report to Customs immediately on arrival. All other crew must remain on board until the boat is cleared. The skipper must also contact Immigration (often provided by Customs) and Biosecurity. Failure to follow these rules is taken very seriously.
Domestic Cruising in the Cook Islands
It is a requirement for all yachts entering the Cook Islands at one of the official ports of entry to obtain clearance papers prior to visiting other islands in the Cook Islands.
You will be asked for an explanation as to why you wish to visit other islands.
When visiting all other islands following the port of entry, the captain should check in with Customs and the Resident Administrator, if present.
Cook Islands Departure Procedures for Yachts
International Clearance
You should advise Customs at least 72 hours before your intended departure to ensure that there is no delay. Complete the Outward Report – Small Craft to give to Customs on departure along with completed departure cards and passports of all crew. If all forms are correct, they will issue you with a Certificate of Clearance. Once clearance is granted, you must leave immediately.
Under no circumstances can a yacht intending to depart to an overseas place to go to any other place in the Cook Islands following their departure from a nominated Customs Port of Entry or other authorized place. If due to extenuating circumstances, you are required to do so, you must immediately advise the Cook Islands Customs Service (24 hours) on phone: (+682) 55368.
Yachts Intending to Arrive at, or Depart from, Suwarrow Island and Palmerston Island
Suwarrow and Palmerston Islands are designated as Non- Customs Port of Entry. Marine craft intending to arrive at or depart from Suwarrow Island and Palmerston Island must obtain authorization from the Controller of Customs in advance. See the Suwarrow Clearance section for more details.
Last updated: October 2024
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Why does this information conflict with the official government site linked to in the document and where does the Noonsite information come fom. The formalities here state that there are only two ports of entry, while the government site shows 8 ports of entry. The Cook Island Port authority also agrees with the Cook Island government site. Is this outdate Covid information?
Dear Wray,
Firstly, thanks for joining Noonsite and for making contact with us.
When reviewing formalities for any country, please take a look at the “last updated” date. Each clearance section has this. You will see the Cooks were updated last month.
All our formalities are checked with official sources. Official websites can often be out of date, very much the case with the Cooks. We always verify with the authorities themselves to get the latest “from the horses mouth”.
The Cooks Islands Customs department confirmed with us just last month that only 2 ports of entry are open for small craft at this time – full details in the Formalities section – https://www.noonsite.com/place/cook-islands/view/clearance/.
Of course, information does go out of date quickly and things are always changing, so do drop us a line if you want to double check information on the site at any time.
And it goes without saying, that a quick email, or posting a comment on the country page, to confirm the formalities were as outlined on Noonsite (or not, should this the be the case), is a HUGE help for us.
If I can be of further assistance – just let me know.
Sue
Palmerston Island Government with its multi-agency partners will be implementing a rat eradication project in July and August 2023. The bait laying phase of the project will take place during the month of August and the Palmerston Island Government has imposed a restriction on visitors to Palmerston during this month. Ships and sailing vessels (small crafts) are restricted from calling into Palmerston during this period until the restriction is lifted.
It is no longer possible to clear into the Southern Cook Islands at Palmerston Island. All yachts must first clear at an official port of entry before proceeding to Palmerston. Landing fees on the island have also increased from NZ$5 to NZ$10 per person. Cruisers should also note that Suwar-row in the Northern Cook Islands is closed until June 1st, 2023.
From Brent Crack and Mary Bevan:
The people of Rarotonga are so friendly and welcoming. Feels much like Rapa Nui or Pitcairn. Bananas have already been delivered without being asked for.
The yachting facilities/infrastructure absolutely sucks. They are not set up in any way for us. Oh well.
We had planned to stay longer but have a weather window straight to New Zealand so we will leave today.
AITUTAKI. Dredging has started to improve the entrance and Channel to the harbour. When finished, it will be 5m deep and 15m wide. The south and north basin either side of the wharf, will be 4m deep. The north basin will be for visitors. The south basin will provide space for local boats and visitors. Initially, visitors will anchor and tie back. When funds are available, moorings and shore facilities wil be provided.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Transport and sports and Tourism will publish correct marine information relating to access as more details are known mid-2022.