Promote:
Export from Papua New Guinea
A short guide for companies selling from Papua New Guinea: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Papua New Guinea sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$13.8 billion
Merchandise exports were US$13,761,375,639.393 in 2024, as Papua New Guinea reported to UN Comtrade; the total includes re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Services exportsEstimate
US$57.3 million
Services exports were US$57.28 million in 2025, which UNCTADstat marks as estimated.
Source: UNCTADstat, services exports by category, Papua New Guinea (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2024
- 1. Natural gas (LNG) (HS 2711)US$5.29 billion
- 2. Base metal or silver clad with platinum (HS 7111)US$2.17 billion
- 3. Copper ore and concentrate (HS 2603)US$1.28 billion
- 4. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$736.2 million
- 5. Palm oil (HS 1511)US$676.3 million
- 6. Precious metal ore (HS 2616)US$446 million
- 7. Gold (HS 7108)US$357.2 million
- 8. Frozen fish (HS 0303)US$354.9 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Cocoa beans (HS 1801)US$325 million
- 10. Nickel intermediates (HS 7501)US$262.6 million
- 11. Canned and prepared fish (HS 1604)US$217.8 million
- 12. Coffee (HS 0901)US$198.9 million
- 13. Logs and rough timber (HS 4403)US$185.3 million
- 14. Ships and boats (other) (HS 8906)US$154.8 million
- 15. Fresh and chilled fish (HS 0302)US$154.1 million
- 16. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$128.8 million
- 17. Coconut and palm kernel oil (HS 1513)US$111.7 million
- 18. Silver (HS 7106)US$90.9 million
- 19. Aircraft (HS 8802)US$64.7 million
- 20. Engines and motors (other) (HS 8412)US$54.4 million
- Lines flagged extractive are 76.3% of 2024 exports, and natural gas alone is 38.4%. Check how much of a line a small company could supply. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Flow X includes re-exports: US$352,270,687.871 of the US$13,761,375,639.393 total in 2024 (2.6%), almost all ships, aircraft and engines. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Heading 7111, base metal or silver clad with platinum, is US$2,168,037,212.582, 15.8% of the total; the source does not say what ships under it. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Comtrade totals are in United States dollars; the national total of 53,560,884 (thousands of kina, per the Pacific Data Hub) is a separate basis, so no share spans both. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Where the goods go
2024, share of goods exports
- Japan22.1%
- Australia20%
- China18.5%
- Other Asia, not elsewhere specified6.7%
- Singapore6.3%
- South Korea4.7%
- Malaysia2.9%
- Philippines2.4%
- Natural gas is 38.4% of 2024 exports and platinum-clad metal (HS 7111) is 15.8%, so destination shares track a few lines; "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified" is 6.7%. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (natural gas (LNG), base metal or silver clad with platinum and copper ore and concentrate) make up about 78% of Papua New Guinea’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks cocoa beans, coffee and fresh and chilled fish as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Papua New Guinea’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Cocoa beans grew 168% from 2023 to 2024. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Papua New Guinea exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
Pacific-European Union Interim Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can claim preferential entry to the European Union under the interim agreement, which carries forward earlier preferences; origin rules sit in an annex by product.
As of October 30, 2026, per Access2Markets: prove origin with a EUR.1 from the exporting country's customs or an origin declaration, valid 10 months.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
United Kingdom-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement
A seller can claim preferential entry to the United Kingdom, because the agreement repeats the provisions of the European Union interim agreement.
As of October 30, 2026, the GOV.UK summary, updated March 31, 2022, names Papua New Guinea; the agreement has its own origin annex.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement
A seller can ship goods to Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu at preferential duty under the agreement in force.
Papua New Guinea trades under the second agreement (TA2); as of 2025 it had not ratified MSGTA3, per the WTO review.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
No PICTA preference is open to a seller: Papua New Guinea's authorities say its preferential tariff rates no longer apply.
As of 2025, per the WTO review of January 2026; check with customs before you claim any Pacific island preference.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Show 5 more agreements
South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
A seller gets non-reciprocal preferential access to the markets of Australia and New Zealand.
As of 2025, the WTO review says it is being phased out as PACER Plus replaces it; Papua New Guinea is not a PACER Plus party.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Papua New Guinea-Australia Trade and Commercial Relations Agreement (PATCRA)
A seller gets unilateral preferential tariff access to the Australian market under the 1976 agreement.
Rules of origin apply; as of 2025 the WTO review says the agreement is unchanged since 1976.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Unilateral preference schemes of other countries (GSP)
A seller can ask for preferential tariffs in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and other markets that grant the country unilateral preferences.
As of 2025, per the WTO review; check each importing country's beneficiary list and origin rules before you claim.
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
PACER Plus
No PACER Plus preference is open to a seller: the country is not among the ten parties listed.
As of October 30, 2026, the parties page lists ten parties without Papua New Guinea; the WTO review agrees.
Source: PACER Plus, list of parties, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme
A seller relies on the United Kingdom-Pacific States agreement; the country is not on the scheme tier list.
As of October 30, 2026, Papua New Guinea is on none of the GOV.UK tier lists; it trades with the United Kingdom under the Pacific States agreement.
Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme tiers, June 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Papua New Guinea
- Register your company with the Investment Promotion Authority online registry; filings need a client account with photo identification.Investment Promotion AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Promotion Authority, registry how-to guide, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get a tax file number from the Internal Revenue Commission; the owner's tax file number appears on the export entry.Internal Revenue CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: National Trade Office, exporter procedures and export guide (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Appoint a licensed customs broker, who must be a Papua New Guinea national, using customs form G26; only a broker can lodge the export entry.Papua New Guinea Customs ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: National Trade Office, exporter procedures and export guide (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- For fish, get an export permit under the Export (Fish) Regulation 1953 and label the product with its origin, per the WTO review as of 2025.National Fisheries AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Show 6 more export steps
- For coffee, get an exporter license from the Coffee Industry Corporation and have the shipment checked by its Export Office in Lae.Coffee Industry CorporationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Coffee Industry Corporation, export control page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask Customs for a certificate of origin when you claim a trade preference, or the National Trade Office for non-preferential trade.Papua New Guinea Customs ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
- Ask the standards institute for a certificate of conformance and check whether pre-shipment inspection or quality control applies to your product.National Institute of Standards and Industrial TechnologyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
- For plant and animal products, clear the shipment with the Biosecurity Authority, the border agent for agricultural exports since July 15, 2025.Papua New Guinea Biosecurity AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
- Your broker lodges the export entry (customs Form 15) in ASYCUDA World at most three clear working days before departure and pays any export duty electronically.Papua New Guinea Customs ServiceDuty is due within 5 clear working days of the notice; cash is not acceptedOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: National Trade Office, exporter procedures and export guide (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Ask the Internal Revenue Commission which export incentives apply under the Income Tax Act 2025, which the WTO review expected to apply from January 1, 2026.Internal Revenue CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with NTO and NSO. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Trade policy and promotion body
NTO
National Trade Office
Coordinates trade policy and trade facilitation, and runs the National Trade Portal with exporter procedures, an SME Export Guide and a directory of small firms.
Visit NTO (opens in a new tab)Source: National Trade Office, National Trade Portal, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
NSO
National Statistical Office
Publishes merchandise trade tables, consumer price indexes and national accounts that a company can use for market and price research.
Visit NSO (opens in a new tab)Source: National Statistical Office, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
Regional trade promotion agency
PTI
Pacific Trade Invest
Regional body
Helps export-ready Pacific businesses reach buyers through offices in Australia, China, Europe and New Zealand; it has no office in Papua New Guinea.
Visit PTI (opens in a new tab)Source: Pacific Trade Invest, about page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Regional science and statistics body
SPC
The Pacific Community
Regional body
Hosts the Pacific Data Hub, which publishes trade and price statistics for Pacific members.
Visit SPC (opens in a new tab)Source: The Pacific Community, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Global trade rules organization
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Publishes the Papua New Guinea trade policy review and member information, including its membership date and trade statistics.
Visit WTO (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Papua New Guinea member information, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Papua New Guinea Customs Service
Takes export declarations through licensed customs brokers in ASYCUDA World and issues certificates of origin for preferential trade agreements.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
IRC
Internal Revenue Commission
Administers income and other taxes, including any export incentives under the income tax law, and publishes the stamp duties in force.
Visit IRC (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
NISIT
National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology
Develops national standards, issues certificates of conformance, accredits laboratories and offers calibration and product certification.
Visit NISIT (opens in a new tab)Source: NISIT, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Agricultural border and biosecurity authority
Biosecurity Authority
Papua New Guinea Biosecurity Authority
Acts as the border agent for agricultural imports and exports; it replaced the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority on July 15, 2025.
Show 3 more organizations
Fisheries management authority
NFA
National Fisheries Authority
Manages fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1998 and publishes licensing information and export requirements for fish products.
Visit NFA (opens in a new tab)Source: National Fisheries Authority, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Competition and consumer regulator
ICCC
Independent Consumer & Competition Commission
Enforces product safety and information standards, and can ban the export of a product that does not meet a consumer safety standard.
Visit ICCC (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
Coffee industry body
CIC
Coffee Industry Corporation
Licenses coffee exporters and processors, checks coffee before export, and publishes weekly market reports.
Visit CIC (opens in a new tab)Source: Coffee Industry Corporation, licensing page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Private sector business council
BCPNG
Business Council of Papua New Guinea
Speaks for its private sector members in dialogue with government, including a government-to-business consultative forum and technical working groups.
Visit BCPNG (opens in a new tab)Source: Business Council of Papua New Guinea, home page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
Lae Chamber
Lae Chamber of Commerce
Represents businesses in Morobe Province and publishes a weekly newsletter for members.
Visit Lae Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Lae Chamber of Commerce, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The IMF says access to foreign exchange has improved, but dealers still clear essential orders first, and staff report that tax clearance rules delay some payments.
What to do: Ask your bank how it ranks foreign exchange orders and what tax documents it needs before you agree payment terms.
Sources: IMF, Papua New Guinea fifth reviews, Country Report 25/336, 2025 (opens in a new tab); IMF, Papua New Guinea sixth reviews press release, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 12, 2025
Crafts reserved for citizens
The current list reserves weaving, bilum making, knitting, carving, pottery making, painting and jewelry making for citizens, so a foreign-owned enterprise cannot make these crafts.
What to do: Check the list before you start a craft project with a foreign partner.
Source: Investment Promotion Authority, reserved activities consultation paper, June 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Export tax incentives
The WTO review describes export incentives under the Income Tax Act 1959 and expected the new Income Tax Act 2025 to apply from January 1, 2026.
What to do: Ask the Internal Revenue Commission which law and which export incentives apply to your 2026 income.
Sources: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab); IMF, Papua New Guinea fifth reviews, Country Report 25/336, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs brokers
Every export entry goes through a licensed customs broker who must be a Papua New Guinea national, and the WTO report counted 133 licensed brokers in 2024.
What to do: Choose a broker early and sign the customs form G26 before your first shipment.
Sources: WTO Secretariat, Papua New Guinea trade policy review, January 2026 (opens in a new tab); National Trade Office, exporter procedures and export guide (opens in a new tab) · as of January 7, 2026
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United States tariffs
Papua New Guinea is not among the 60 economies in the July 28, 2026 Section 301 tariff notice; the Section 122 surcharge was set to end July 24, 2026.
What to do: Confirm the United States tariff on your product with the importer before you quote.
Sources: USTR, Section 301 forced-labor tariff notice, July 2026 (opens in a new tab); White House, Proclamation 11012, Section 122 surcharge, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Papua New Guinea project.
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Promote:Papua New Guinea is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.