Business licences must be renewed before February 2

January 8, 2026 10:24 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

All registered businesses must renew their licences before February 2, 2026, according to the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR).

Applications are required to be submitted with relevant supporting documents, including a valid Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (VFIPA) Approval Certificate for foreign-owned businesses.

Other requirements include a Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) Name Certificate for registered companies, along with specific permits for sectors such as tourism, health services, transportation, and entertainment.

These include a Municipal Permit for liquor, kava, restaurant, cinema, nightclub, or bar operations; a Public Vehicle Permit for taxis, buses, and hire vehicles; a Marine Approval Certificate for inter-island shipping; a Health Practitioners Board Certificate for health service practitioners; a Tourism Permit for tourism activities; and an Industry Permit for manufacturing businesses.

The DCIR advised that payments must be made at the Taxpayer Service Offices in Port Vila, Luganville, or Lenakel by 5pm on Monday, February 2. Late payments will incur a 10% penalty per month, or part thereof.

Businesses located in rural areas or outside these locations should submit applications to the provincial government.

Any person or company that intends to carry out any business activity for the sole purpose of making a profit must obtain a business licence under the Business Licence Act No. 19 of 1998.

Fees are applied to business activities under each category and location at which the business is conducted. Fees will be charged on a pro-rata basis for new applications lodged during the year.

Renewal fees are based on the previous gross turnover. If multiple categories are renewed, licence fees are charged on each category’s turnover.

Apart from business licences, the DCIR also informed all businesses of recent changes to the documentation requirements for Business Licence and Value Added Tax (VAT) registration, particularly for those operating as partnerships and individual (sole proprietor) entities.

The VFSC and DCIR have come to an agreement that all business licence and VAT registration applications submitted as partnerships must now be supported by a Certificate of Partnership issued by the VFSC.

Any business with more than one partner is required to submit only a Certificate of Partnership issued by the VFSC. A Trading Name Certificate is not required, as the trading name is already stated on the Certificate of Partnership.

Businesses registered as individuals are required to submit a Trading Name Certificate issued by the VFSC when applying for a business licence and/or VAT registration.