{"id":272,"date":"2026-01-19T11:31:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T01:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/?page_id=272"},"modified":"2026-01-23T13:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T03:36:24","slug":"depots","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/index.php\/depots\/","title":{"rendered":"Depots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8360d6be wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-contrast-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91ee572c626ab8c560d72278cfb772b6\">A Guide to Customs-Approved Depots in Papua New Guinea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depots are secure, Customs-controlled areas that are essential for international trade. They are primarily used for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>De-consolidating<\/strong>&nbsp;imported container cargo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consolidating<\/strong>&nbsp;export cargo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Facilitating<\/strong>&nbsp;the examination of goods by Customs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike a <a href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/index.php\/warehouses\/\">warehouse<\/a>, a depot is a temporary storage solution. Goods can be stored for a maximum of&nbsp;<strong>30 days<\/strong>&nbsp;from their arrival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Can Apply for a Depot Approval?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply if your agency operates in logistics and fits one of these categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Currently operates a cargo de-consolidation facility at a wharf or airport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Previously operated a&nbsp;<strong>Class I or Class V<\/strong>&nbsp;Customs warehouse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is a freight forwarder seeking to improve logistical efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Step-by-Step Application Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-5-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56a0fb14f6fe3564e62f66b25b50aeda\">Approval is granted as an annual permission under&nbsp;<strong>Section 21(A) of the Customs Act 1951<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><strong>Step 1: Obtain and Prepare Your Application<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Get the application pack from your&nbsp;<strong>local Customs office<\/strong>&nbsp;or the PNG Customs website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare&nbsp;<strong>detailed plans<\/strong>&nbsp;of your proposed premises and proof of a commercial agreement to operate there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be ready to demonstrate how your operation meets the key criteria (see table below).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><strong>Step 2: Submit and Await Assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Customs will assess your application based on several key factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-accent-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Assessment Criteria<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">What You Need to Demonstrate<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Operator Suitability<\/strong><\/td><td>That you (the applicant) are a&nbsp;<strong>&#8220;fit and proper person&#8221;<\/strong>&nbsp;with the right experience.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Location &amp; Control<\/strong><\/td><td>That you can&nbsp;<strong>occupy and control<\/strong>&nbsp;the premises and that the location allows for regular Customs checks.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Physical Security<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Adequate fencing, lighting, and storage<\/strong>&nbsp;to separate Customs-controlled goods from others.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Staff &amp; Procedures<\/strong><\/td><td>Designated&nbsp;<strong>responsible personnel<\/strong>&nbsp;and security staff, with clear procedures for controlling goods.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Record-Keeping System<\/strong><\/td><td>A system that maintains&nbsp;<strong>accurate, timely records<\/strong>&nbsp;suitable for Customs audits.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><strong>Step 3: Operate Under Customs Approval<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>If approved, remember that this is an annual permission. Non-compliance with any conditions can lead to the approval being&nbsp;<strong>revoked<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Responsibilities as a Depot Operator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once approved, your depot becomes a&nbsp;<strong>&#8220;Customs controlled area&#8221; under Section 16 of the Customs Act<\/strong>. Your legal duties include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Control Access:<\/strong>&nbsp;Only grant entry to authorized, properly identified personnel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post Clear Signs:<\/strong>&nbsp;Display signs stating the premises are a Customs controlled area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintain Records:<\/strong>&nbsp;Keep a complete register of all goods moving in and out. This includes managing&nbsp;<strong>FAK (Freight All Kinds) permissions<\/strong>&nbsp;for moving containers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Account for Goods:<\/strong>&nbsp;Be able to account to Customs for all goods under your control when requested.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Facilitate Audits:<\/strong>&nbsp;Allow Customs to conduct regular audits to ensure compliance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Operational Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>30-Day Storage Limit:<\/strong>&nbsp;Goods must be cleared for home consumption within&nbsp;<strong>30 days<\/strong>&nbsp;of arrival. Customs may seize and move overdue goods to a government warehouse. Extensions may be applied for under certain circumstances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release of Goods:<\/strong>&nbsp;Goods must be released from the depot using a&nbsp;<strong>proper delivery authority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Need More Information?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For application packs or specific queries, contact the PNG Customs Licensing Section:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u260e\ufe0f&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:+6753127568\">+675 3127568<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:+6753127500\">+675 3127500<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\ud83d\udce7<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:cal@customs.gov.pg\">cal@customs.gov.pg<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-4cdf10d8-bd5a-4511-ae4c-9e9724c2ea9f\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depot-Single-Movement-Permission.pdf\">Depot Single Movement Permission<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depot-Single-Movement-Permission.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-4cdf10d8-bd5a-4511-ae4c-9e9724c2ea9f\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-a8d77edb-8fef-4f8b-bc29-6723ad66f077\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/depot_movement_permission.pdf\">LCL \/ FAK Consignment &#8211; Movement Permission<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/depot_movement_permission.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-a8d77edb-8fef-4f8b-bc29-6723ad66f077\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Guide to Customs-Approved Depots in Papua New Guinea Depots are secure, Customs-controlled areas that are essential for international trade. They are primarily used for: Unlike a warehouse, a depot is a temporary storage solution. Goods can be stored for a maximum of&nbsp;30 days&nbsp;from their arrival. Who Can Apply for a Depot Approval? You can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-272","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Depots - PNG Customs Service<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.customs.gov.pg\/index.php\/depots\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Depots - PNG Customs Service\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Guide to Customs-Approved Depots in Papua New Guinea Depots are secure, Customs-controlled areas that are essential for international trade. They are primarily used for: Unlike a warehouse, a depot is a temporary storage solution. Goods can be stored for a maximum of&nbsp;30 days&nbsp;from their arrival. Who Can Apply for a Depot Approval? 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