Cargo & Cruise Vessel (ships)
- Arrival
- Departing
Masters of cargo & cruise vessels are required to call at Port Louis which is the only port of entry in Mauritius. Protocol for entry and departure of vessel in Port Louis is available on the MPA website on the following link http://www.mauport.com.
Arriving documents needs to be submitted by the shipping agent through the VCS (Vessel Clearance System).
In addition, a manifest in respect of the ship’s cargo shall be submitted to Customs, in electronic form or in any other manner acceptable to the Director General.
The time limit for the submission of the inward manifest is:
- For a ship arriving from Reunion Island-not later than 5 hours before arrival in Port Louis.
- For a ship from any other port-not later than 24 hours after loading in the last port of departure.
Goods to be landed but not listed in the manifest must be declared on the parcel list in the VCS.
Arms & Ammunition
Arms & ammunition and allied products must be declared on the respective field in the VCS and approval from the Commissioner of Police must be attached.
Health & Quarantine Formalities
- Please stay on board. No person except the Health officer is allowed on board, nor can any person, animal or article leave the vessel until health clearance has been obtained.
- Any plant, animal and any agricultural item on board has to be declared to the quarantine officer.
Customs Formalities
After clearance by Health authorities, Customs may board the vessel for further formalities, based on information already submitted through the VCS. These include:
- Affixing of seal on the bonded store
- Procedures for unloading of Arms & ammunitions
- Rummage of ship
- Examining of goods declared on Parcel list
After clearance by Health authorities, Customs may board the vessel for further formalities, based on information already submitted through the VCS. These include:
- Affixing of seal on the bonded store
- Procedures for unloading of Arms & ammunitions
- Rummage of ship
- Examining of goods declared on Parcel list
Vessels are eligible to purchase ship stores, for consumption on board, free of duty and taxes. A request is to be made on Form 19 “Requisition for Ship stores” and duly signed by the Master shall be submitted to Customs for approval, through the ship agent/ship chandler.
Cigarettes and alcoholic products may be placed under Customs Seal in the bonded store. Reasonable quantities of these products shall be issued for the daily consumption of passengers and crew members.
In addition to that, ship’s store purchased locally from Freeport and Bonded Warehouse free of duty, excise duty and taxes shall be placed on board under Customs supervision and/or sealed as required by Customs.
Master, Crew members & passengers on board are also eligible to Duty free purchases in Downtown duty free shops.
The items under Customs seal shall remain as such until the vessel has left Mauritius for the outward voyage.
No Customs seal will be affixed on bonded stores of Cruise vessels during their stay at the port if prior request has been made for Customs to sentry on board.
Certificate of Clearance
Protocol for entry and departure of vessel in Port Louis is available on the MPA website on the following link http://www.mauport.com.
Request for departure clearance for Cargo & Cruise Vessel is made by the appointed agent through the VCS. A Departure Clearance Certificate is automatically generated through the VCS once the Director of Shipping/Customs has approved. No signature is required.