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CHECK-IN

The check-in area is the last point at which you can place sharp items and liquids over 100 ml into you hold luggage. If you do not, these will be confiscated at the next security point as they are not permitted in the aircraft cabin. You must also ensure that you are not carrying any dangerous goods in either your hold or cabin baggage. 

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CENTRAL SECURITY SEARCH

After the Immigration checkpoint you and your cabin luggage will be screened. See Traveller Tips on how to prepare for this process.

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TRANSIT PASSENGERS

All passengers transiting between flights at will be screened before entry into the departure lounge. Please be aware that restrictions on liquids are also applied to transferring passengers. Items that you bought at your airport of origin may not be allowed through if they are not carried in an approved, sealed bag (Security Tamper Evident Bags). 

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TRAVELLERS TIPS

Here are some tips to speed up your progress through security control: 

Thinking Ahead

A little planning can save time for everyone and make your trip easier.  

Before you leave home or your hotel, work out what liquids you will need during your flight.

• Only carry items in your hand luggage that you really need for your journey, the rest should be checked in as hold luggage;
• Do not carry any liquids, gels, creams, pastes or aerosols in your hand luggage unless essential for your journey. If you do need to carry these items make sure they are in containers of less than 100 ml volume and packed in a clear plastic bag (travelling with liquids);
• Place any metal objects (mobile phones, MP3 players, keys, coins, watches, belts with metal buckles) inside your hand luggage;
• Take your laptop out of your bag and place it in a tray for screening through the X-ray;
• Do not carry any sharp items (prohibited items) in your hand luggage. These should be packed in your hold luggage.

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TRAVELLING WITH LIQUIDS

Only limited amounts of liquids may be carried through security control in hand luggage. The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols (including bottled drinks, cosmetics, perfumes and other cosmetics).

• Liquids may only be carried in containers holding up to a maximum of 100 ml;
• They must be carried in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (no larger than 20 cm x 20cm) and all items must fit inside so that it closes;
• At security the bag should be removed from hand luggage and placed in a tray for X-ray screening;
• Liquids in quantities greater than 100 ml can be carried in hold luggage;
• Any liquids found at security control which do not comply with the above rules will be confiscated.

Exceptions:

• Baby milk and baby food can be carried in quantities greater than 100 ml. However, you should only carry what is required for the journey and you may be asked to taste them as part of the security check.
• Medicines required for the journey provided they are accompanied by a doctor’s letter.

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SHOPPING AT THE AIRPORT

For most destinations, anything that you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft, including bottled drinks, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics in sizes over 100 ml.

You can not take any liquids over 100 ml into Australia in hand luggage.

Security Tamper Evident Bags. International security arrangements have been made between states to allow the purchase and carriage of liquids by transfer passengers providing they are carried in Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEBs). These bags meet an internationally-agreed standard and should be sealed, with the receipt placed inside and visible from the outside.

If you are carrying liquids in containers of greater than 100 ml capacity and these are not in a recognised STEBs bag, or the STEBs bag has been interfered with, these liquids will be confiscated at the transfer security point.

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PROHIBITED ITEMS

Sharp items, or items which could reasonably be used as a weapon, must not be carried in hand luggage. This includes: scissors with pointed blades, knives, razor blades, tools, replica or toy guns, corkscrews and sporting bats.

Other dangerous goods which cannot be carried in hand or hold luggage include: fireworks, flammable liquids and solids, instruments containing mercury, non-safety matches. 

The following tables list the provisions for Dangerous Goods carried by Passengers:

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LIQUIDS, AEROSOLS & GELS

Why can we no longer carry liquids in our hand luggage?
Everyday items, such as bottles of water, toothpaste tubes, cosmetics containers, can be tampered with and used as improvised explosive devices. The restrictions were brought in following an attempted plot to use liquid explosives on aircraft flying from the UK in 2006.

What can I do with liquids in containers over 100ml?
You can pack these items in you hold luggage and check them in, providing they are not listed as Dangerous Goods and therefore prohibited from carriage on an aircraft.

What happens if I get to airport and find that I have liquids in my hand luggage but I have already checked in my bags?
If the liquids are in containers of less that 100ml you can place these in one of the free plastic bags that you will find in the check-in areas and take them through security control. If the containers are greater than 100 ml you can either dispose of them in the special bins provided in the check-in areas or return to the desk and check them in if they are packed in a suitable bag.

Can I take my liquid medicine in my hand luggage?
You can take essential medicine in quantities sufficient for your trip. If these are in containers less than 100 ml they can be placed in a clear plastic bag and screened along with your other hand luggage. If they are in quantities greater than 100ml you should obtain a letter from your doctor and show this at security control.

I am a diabetic, can I carry my insulin and needles on board?
Yes, you can carry both insulin and needles in your hand luggage, but the insulin should be placed in a clear plastic bag.

Can I take a bottle of milk or sterilised water for my baby in a bottle greater than 100 ml?
You can take sufficient baby milk for your flight and it does not have to be in bottles less than 100 ml. However, you may be asked to open and taste the milk at the security control.

What about jars of baby food?
Yes, you can take jars of baby food in sufficient quantities for your flight. However, you may be asked to open these and taste them at security control.

Can I take my laptop computer in my hand luggage?
Yes, you can take a laptop computer in your hand luggage, however, you will need to take it out of its bag at the X-ray and place it in a tray for screening.

I am asthmatic, can I carry an inhaler?
Yes, you can carry an inhaler, but any spare canisters must be packed in your hold luggage. 

DANGEROUS GOODS

What are dangerous goods?A wide variety of articles and substances, ranging from common household items to industrial materials, are regulated in transportation due to their potential to injure people or damage property when handled improperly. Such articles and substances include but are not limited to: 

• Explosives – e.g. fireworks, ammunition, bombs, etc.

• Gases – e.g. gas cylinders, aerosols under pressure, lighters, butane, etc.

• Flammable Solids or Liquids – e.g. paints or solvents, matches, etc.

• Oxidisers or Organic Peroxides – eg., chemical oxygen generators, hydrogen                Peroxide etc.

• Toxic Materials – e.g. pesticides, fungicides, poisons, etc.

• Infectious Substances – e.g. blood samples from infected patients – either             humans or animals etc.

• Radioactive Materials – e.g. radioactive medicines

• Corrosive Materials – e.g. drain cleaners, car batteries, concentrated   

   cleaners, repair kits etc.        

• Other items regulated due to irritating fumes – e.g. dry ice, pepper spray etc.

How are Dangerous Goods regulated?Within Vanuatu, these articles and substances come under the Civil Aviation RulePart 92, Carriage of Dangerous Goods. Internationally, such articles and substances are governed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Many users rely on the International Air Transport (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which contain the ICAO Technical Instruction requirements, together with airline industry conventions.

What do these regulations require from the shipper or sender?

In broad outline, Civil Aviation Rule Part 92 requires compliance with the ICAO Technical Instructions: 

          • Articles and substances must be properly classified according to a set

            of Standard criteria.

          • The packaging used for dangerous goods must meet certain criteria set by

   the Technical Instructions.

• The hazards posed by these articles and substances must be identified by   

   markings, package labels and accompanying documentation.

• An airline must have the opportunity to inspect and verify the acceptability of

   each dangerous goods package as declared by the shipper. 

If I purchased something from a store, do I need to follow these requirements?Yes. Just because you are sending a product that is sold in a store does not mean that it is excepted from the dangerous goods requirements. For example, many common household items can be dangerous: matches, aerosol spray cans, flammable paints or solvents, rat or mouse poison, pesticides, car batteries, etc. It is always the obligation of the person who offers the article or substance for transport by air to make sure the items they send are correctly prepared and identified to the airline. If necessary, contact the manufacturer of the item to discuss proper transportation procedures. Remember the rules governing air transportation of dangerous goods are the strictest of all transport modes.

What happens if I do not follow the rules?

In the most serious cases, improperly prepared or undeclared dangerous goods can kill and injure people, such as airline passengers, airline employees, and others — and have actually done so. Think Safety before you send dangerous goods by air. Also, governments can assess significant penalties for violating the rules. Vanuatu allows civil penalties of up to Vt 200,000 per violation. 

Is it safe to assume that an item I receive from another company or through the mail order catalogue can be shipped by air without special preparation?

Never assume. It is possible that an article or substance is not regulated in one mode (e.g. ground transport) but is regulated by air. It is also possible that your supplier was not fully aware of the rules. Remember: when you offer an article or substance for carriage by air, you have the responsibility for compliance. 

How is a person supposed to know all these requirements for dangerous

goods?

Compliance with the Rules includes satisfying the Civil Aviation Authority’s requirement for training in the shipment of dangerous goods. The Rules requires all regular shippers (senders) and airlines (carriers) of dangerous goods to be trained. There are three types of training required: 

• General awareness or familiarisation training

• Job specific training

• Safety training 

For the general public, this requirement means that anyone who prepares or sends a shipment of dangerous goods on a regular basis must comply with the training requirements. 

Where can I find out more about the Rules?

Civil Aviation Rule Part 92 may be obtained from: CAAV Rule Part92  

Do all airline operators allow shipments of dangerous goods?

No. You need to contact any airline you wish to use to confirm the exact details ofits services. Not all airlines carry dangerous goods, and many airlines that do transport such items may impose more restrictive or additional requirements for such shipments. For these reasons, it is essential that you know the requirements of the airline you select.

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