Business opportunities
Austrade's business development specialists have prepared a select range of market profiles with potential business opportunities and to assist in your exporting investigations. Please see the list of industries at the end of this profile that you may be interested in.
In conjunction with the market profiles, the Opportunities Online website may be a useful addition to your information sources. The database established by Austrade aims to deliver international sales leads ('export opportunities'), including tenders, generated by our overseas network to Australian businesses.
Registering is simple and once this is done you will have the option of accessing a weekly newsletter featuring the most recent opportunities uploaded onto the system in industry sectors of interest to you. Another feature is the ability to view, and also print, the complete page of opportunity details.
For general inquiries concerning Austrade’s services, please contact Austrade Direct on 13 28 78.
Business etiquette
Business hours in New Caledonia:
- Business hours are normally from 7.30am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
- Banks are open between 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Banks have branches throughout the territory. Most credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, American Express not always).
Business practices:
- When visiting a New Caledonian company, particularly for the first time, it is strongly recommended that you use an interpreter, unless your contact confirms that this is not necessary. You should also consider providing a flyer insert in French when presenting brochures to a New Caledonian client.
- It is important to visit the market regularly to develop and maintain a close working relationship. It is preferable to make appointments prior to visiting customers. Many New Caledonian businesses are small and you will find that your contact is the owner or Managing Director. Personal relationships tend to be a little more formal than in Australia and first names are generally not used until you have built up a good relationship.
- You should address people by Monsieur 'surname' or Madame 'surname'. If your contact has spent time in Australia, then he/she may well initiate the use of first names. If in doubt, however, use Monsieur or Madame.
- New Caledonia is not as large as other markets, but importers tend to be loyal towards reliable suppliers who are prepared to meet smaller market requirements. Due to the size of the market and competition between importers, 'exclusivity' is likely to be requested. You will undoubtedly be questioned as to the other companies you are visiting, so discretion is always good.
- If you are inviting a business contact to a meal, it is common practice to extend the invitation to your contact’s spouse, particularly if the invitation is for dinner.
- Exchanging gifts is not common. If invited to a meal at someone’s home, a gift is not expected. However, if you wish to do so, then flowers or wine are preferred.
- Smart casual is the norm, with tailored trousers and open necked shirt suitable for most business meetings. Suits and ties are rarely worn to business meetings.
Please also note: Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. For more information, go to the Attorney General's Department on foreign bribery.
Tariffs and regulations
Import restrictions
There are four types of import restrictions:
- Import licences are required for some products (specified in the Restricted Products List). The license is requested by the importer, and administered by the Service des Douanes (Customs Department).
- Quotas are restrictions placed on some items to protect domestic production (either a fixed value or a fixed quantity of imports): frozen chicken, tinned beans, plastic bags, chocolates, ice cream and industrial clothing.
- Administrative approval - some consumable items may only be imported by governmental organisations (beef meat, potatoes and cigarettes). Other items require approval by the appropriate government department (eg. pharmaceuticals, telecommunications equipment).
- Prohibited items - the import of some items is prohibited to protect local industry. Prohibition may apply to all imports, or only to goods of non-EU origin: yoghurt, fresh poultry and paper products - toilet paper, paper napkins, cement, household soaps, bed linen and malt beer.
Tariff
For you to assess the import duties that apply to your products overseas, you need to find out what the Export Commodity Classification is for each of your products (with local customs or freight forwarding companies). This classification system is harmonised across countries, so that each post can then advise on rates applying in their respective country, based on this classification.
Import duties in New Caledonia are ad valorem (%), i.e. assessed on the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of the goods.
All merchandise that are coming to New Caledonia are subject to:
- general import tax - zero to 31 per cent
- basic import tax - 5 per cent
- port tax - 1 per cent or airfreight tax - 3 per cent
- custom duties - zero to 20 per cent
Goods from the European Union (EU) are exempt from customs duty, but subject to all others. In general, goods from the EU will be 10 per cent cheaper than from Australia. However, delivery time and freight costs often offset the difference in price.
In addition, for mining and metallurgical projects, as well as in some specific sectors, goods imported can be duty free, or partially exempted.
There is also a locally manufactured products protection tax (TCPPL), which make imported products not competitive in New Caledonia, in order to protect local manufacturers. This applies to pasta, yogurts, chocolate, and ice cream.
Customs authority contact details:
Director of Customs
Service des Douanes
BP 13 98845 Noumea Cedex
Tel: +687 265 300
Fax: +687 276 497
Packing, marking and labelling
All products sold on retailers’ shelves must have French labelling or the retailer can be heavily fined. Stickers on packaging are currently tolerated by the local authorities. New Caledonian authorities would prefer this to be a temporary measure until exporters revamp current uni-lingual labelling. Distributors tend to favour exporters who have made the effort to do so. For further information, please contact the Department of Economic Affairs.
Packing material likely to carry disease is prohibited. Packing should be secure, guard against humidity, bear the consignee's mark (including port mark) and should be numbered.
Prepacked foods for retail sale are subject to the following specific labelling regulations:
- analytical composition
- net weight in metric units
- name and address of the manufacturer
- date of manufacture or quick-freezing(the latter in indelible ink and, if desired, in conventional ode)
- country of origin (food products for direct consumption should be marked Produce of Australia)
- list of ingredients (E 3-letter codes are acceptable)
- instructions for use where consumers could be confused (eg. chemical products)
Use by dates for perishable foodstuffs must be stamped on packaging by the manufacturer at the time of production.
Weights and measures
The metric system applies.
Insurance
Normal commercial practice.
Methods of quoting and payment
It is standard practice for New Caledonian importers to request CIF Noumea (Incoterms 1990: cost + insurance + freight price) or FOB - Sydney or Brisbane pro-forma invoices in Australian dollars when placing an order.
Public health requirements
Products of animal and vegetable origin are subject to sanitary and/or phytosanitary controls. Certification by the approved authority in the country of origin is required. In Australia, this is usually, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or the relevant state department of agriculture.
Usually, only pharmaceutical products freely obtainable in France may be imported. Exceptions are granted for certain Australian products imported directly by pharmacists. Pharmaceutical products imported by private individuals for special purposes require prior authorisation by the official pharmaceutical authority.
Documentation
As cargo reaches Noumea only three days after leaving Sydney, it is essential that documents necessary for clearing goods through customs be dispatched in time to effect prompt clearance. The Trade Commission suggests that delays in clearance can be minimised by:
- Sending a copy of the invoice by courier directly to the customer together with the name of ship and intended date of departure. This would enable the customer to carry out customs formalities with a bank guarantee in lieu of the bill of lading.
- Faxing advice of shipment with name of ship, goods dispatched and FOB or CIF value (Incoterms 1990).
Pro-forma invoice
One copy required.
Commercial invoice
No prescribed form but must be signed by the manufacturer or supplier and indicate:
- country of origin
- FAS or FOB and all charges to CIF value (Incoterms 1990) in Australian dollars
- packing details
- weight and dimensions
- unit price
- description of the goods
The following declaration by the exporter is desirable, but not essential:
- 'Nous certifions que les marchandises faisant l'objet de cette fourniture sont de fabrication .......... et que la valeur sus-mentionee est juste et conforme à nos ecritures.'
- 'We hereby certify that the goods to which this invoice relates are of ......... origin and that the value stated is correct and in accordance with our books.'
- The wording 'Made In .........' is acceptable.
Certificate of origin
Included with invoice but may be requested separately. When requested it should be certified by a recognised chamber of commerce.
Bill of lading
Normal commercial practice. To Order bills are permitted.
Packing list
Obligatory when packages in a shipment are not uniform in type, quantity, weight or value.
Special certificates
Animal and vegetable products require sanitary health certificates issued by the approved authority in the country of origin (see 'Public health requirements' above).
Fresh meat requires veterinary certification indicating freedom from disease and suitability for human consumption. Quarters of beef must bear an inspection stamp.
Canned meat requires veterinary certification of ante- and postmortem inspection, no use of antiseptics and sterilisation by heat.
Frozen chicken requires veterinary certification of fitness for human consumption.
Milk and milk products require veterinary certification that the country of origin is free of foot and mouth disease, and certification by an authorised official signifying that the products are produced from pasteurised milk and are the product of a registered export establishment.
Spirits require certification of age.
Taxation
Imported goods are taxed under customs fiscality. Domestic taxation is relatively low, with a general tax on services of four per cent.
Import taxes are calculated on cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of goods. All merchandise coming into New Caledonia is subject to:
- general import tax (TGI) – zero to 31 per cent depending on product
- basic import tax (TBI) – 5 per cent
- customs duty – zero to 20 per cent
- airfreight tax – 3 per cent
- port tax – 1 per cent
Other taxes include:
- Consumption tax on imported products (which compete with locally produced goods) and agricultural conjunctural taxes are levied. These are ad valorem, and according to product.
- Conjunctural tax to protect locally manufactured products (ad valorem and according to product). Additional taxes such as the Tax on Renewable Energies or special tax applied according to product.
- Farming support tax to protect local producers. These are ad valorem and according to product.
- Sanitary and social tax on alcohol and tobacco. These depend on the type of product.
Business travel
New Caledonia benefits from direct services with major international airlines: Sydney (daily service), Brisbane (three weekly flights), Auckland (four weekly flights), Japan (daily service). Regional service, with Air Caledonie International include Port Vila (five daily flights), Nandi, Wallis and Papeete.
Tontouta International Airport is located 52km north of Noumea, approximately 40 minutes by car from the city centre.
Buses and taxis meet all incoming flights. One-way taxi fare to Noumea is around A$100. Buses also meet all flights and costs around A$40 (one way). Airport-city transfers should be included when booking ticket, if possible. There is no departure tax.
Taxis are readily available at ranks, but they may be ordered by phone. Fares are metered, and there is no bargaining. There is also a public bus system, which is safe to travel on buses, but not reliable for appointments.
The road system is similar to Europe. Vehicles are left hand drive, and drive on the right hand side of the road. Hire cars are readily available (international licence is preferred, but Australian licences are accepted)
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