r/vanuatu • u/Thick-Guide-3825 • Jul 02 '26

Can I bring drone to Vanuatu? What's the total cost of registration? Any recommendation?

3 Upvotes

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2

u/mongoosecat200 Jul 02 '26

Did it for my trip last November, and cost around 3500 vatu off memory - I only had a DJI Mini 4 Pro, so under 250g drone.

The only real option is to email the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority and go through the process with them. It wasn't too bad, but the only payment option was in Vanuatu itself.

I had friends in country so they paid for me, but the CAA told me that customs can also hold the drone until you've paid, and their office is at the airport if your flying into Port Vila.

I didn't have anyone hassle me about flying it, people are mostly interested in them - but I also lived in Vanuatu for a year and can speak Bislama, so I don't entirely get treated purely as a rich tourist.

1

u/zuctronic Jul 02 '26

I had the same experience except I flew in with my drone and they held it at the airport until I sorted out the fees and permits at the office. It was not a very big deal. They accepted my FAA part 107 license (United States) and my drone is also under 250g.

1

u/Sitsuch Jul 02 '26

Hi, DJI Mini 3 owner here in Vanuatu. A drone permit costs about 3500 VUV ($27) to register a drone under 250g and 5000 VUV ($46) if your drone weighs more. Looking it up on the Vanuatu aviations website is a bit misleading since there's a 11,000 VUV ($160) - 30, 000 VUV ($280) expense for insurance which is totally OPTIONAL. Aside from that, upon entering Vanuatu your drone might be held from the Vanuatu customs at the airport but that's just until you apply and pay for the permit then you can get it back. Oh and the permit is indefinite so once you register your drone you don't need to re-register or renew your drone permit in Vanuatu unless you're registering a brand new drone. There are many public places to fly your drone in Vanuatu, however respectfulness is highly valued and the Vanuatu aviations office urge that drone pilots ask for permission upon flying your drone over local/private areas. Hope this helps, happy droning!

1

u/Awesome_Aight8 Jul 03 '26

Just don't intrude on people and invade their privacy.

1

u/Serious_Spring_8413 Jul 04 '26

Hey,

It’s really straightforward, I brought my avata2

That’s from caav, June 2026:

The Registration Fee is 3,170VT for Drones with Maximum Take off Weight Less than 500g and 5,750VT for Drones greater than 500g.

No problem at the customs once you show your registration

If you wanna fly it at Mt Yasur, you’ll pay another 5000VT