Heard Island and McDonald Islands: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Heard Island and McDonald Islands.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Heard Island and McDonald Islands in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Heard Island and McDonald Islands may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Heard Island and McDonald Islands →

On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Heard Island and McDonald Islands recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Heard Island and McDonald Islands: logistics and trade

Uninhabited nature reserve / CCAMLR fishing zone

Heard Island and McDonald Islands (ISO code: HM) are uninhabited subantarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about 4,100 km southwest of Perth. They are an external territory of Australia, administered directly by the Australian Antarctic Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Heard Island holds Australia's only active volcanoes, including Mawson Peak on the Big Ben massif (2,745 m), the highest point in Australian territory outside the Antarctic. The islands and surrounding waters form a strictly protected Commonwealth marine reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and are a UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed 1997). There is no permanent population, no port and no airport, and no commercial trade takes place on the islands. Economic relevance is limited to scientific research and to the commercial fishery for Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish in the Australian exclusive economic zone, managed by AFMA under CCAMLR. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD); access requires an EPBC permit.

Capital: none
Area: 412 km²
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Region: Subantarctic / Australian External Territories
Economic area: Australian External Territory (outside the GST zone)
Religions: None
Access to the sea: Yes

Current situation: No regular traffic. Access via the Australian Antarctic Division by ship from Hobart or Fremantle; most recent HIMI campaign 2025-26 (EPBC permit valid until 2035).
Seasonal conditions: Subantarctic climate: storms, heavy swell, drift ice and glaciers year-round. Landings only in short summer windows (December to March) and highly weather-dependent.

Main trade lanes

Hobart / Fremantle (AUS) - HIMI (research and supply voyages)
HIMI EEZ - Australian mainland ports (fisheries)

Customs and import

Customs authority No local customs authority; Australian Border Force (ABF) responsible for Australia, territory administered by the Australian Antarctic Division (DCCEEW)Official website ↗

Import customs system: No local customs operation. Uninhabited area with no port or airport infrastructure; goods arrive only by ship for research and supply. Australian external territory outside the GST zone.
Export customs system: No commercial exports from the islands. Fishing takes place in the Australian EEZ and is imported and exported through Australian mainland ports (Fremantle, Hobart), not through the islands.
Import VAT: No local GST: the external territory lies outside the Australian Indirect Tax Zone (mainland GST 10 percent). As of 2026.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Not relevant: no own country of origin and no local trade. Australia's free trade agreements apply to Australian goods.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Strict access and removal ban: the entire area is a Commonwealth marine reserve (EPBC Act 1999). Every activity requires a permit; introduction of foreign species and biological material is prohibited.

Typical import documents

Access permit (EPBC Act permit of the Australian Antarctic Division)
Ship manifest for supply goods

Typical export documents

Fisheries: CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme (catch documentation for Patagonian toothfish)
AFMA fishing licence

Logistics conditions

Dangerous goods relevance: Low

Trade

Top import goods

Equipment for scientific expeditions

Top export goods

None

Typical cargo

Scientific equipment
Fuel and provisions for expeditions
Fishery products from the EEZ: Patagonian toothfish and icefish

Logistics questions

Can goods be imported to or exported from Heard and McDonald Islands?

No. The islands are uninhabited and have no port, airport or customs operation. No commercial trade takes place. Only research expeditions are supplied by ship, and only under permit.

Who administers the territory and how do you get there?

It is an Australian external territory administered directly by the Australian Antarctic Division (DCCEEW). Access is only by ship from Hobart or Fremantle and requires an EPBC permit.

Does Australian GST or customs duty apply?

The external territory lies outside Australia's indirect tax zone, so no local GST applies (mainland rate 10 percent). With no trade or customs operation on site there are no regular import charges. As of 2026.

Is there a fishery and how is it regulated?

Yes, in the Australian EEZ around the islands. The target species are Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish. The fishery is managed by AFMA under CCAMLR catch limits and is MSC-certified; catches are landed on the Australian mainland.

What risks exist for vessels in the region?

Very high natural hazards: subantarctic storms, heavy seas, drift ice and glaciers, plus the active Big Ben volcano. There is no infrastructure and no rescue services on site. Landings are only possible in short summer windows.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗