Welcome and good luck on your big move.
I moved to PNG 5 months ago from Australia. I am on a tiny island in the New Ireland Province, north east of Port Moresby.
Our container took 3 weeks to arrive in PNG, and then another week to arrive on my island.
Yet I still do not have it.
We have had never ending issues with customs - but the problem being that we arrived during the period of transition for customs as they were changing all their policies and procedures. We had to fill out paper work, they said they were the wrong forms (THEY gave them to us) so that delayed a week. Then they gave us other paperwork, approved it and demanded k80,000 ($35,000 AUD), turns out they registered us as a business importer. Delayed another week.
Then they gave us more forms, we signed, they said they were wrong (notice a pattern here) then said the original forms were the correct ones. Delayed another week.
Then we got the big bosses of the mining company who we are with involved. More forms. Yet they didnt deliver the container.
Delayed another week.
More forms. Yet they didnt deliver.
Delayed another week.
Then the containers were delivered and customs was supposed to arrive the following day to open them.
That was 2 weeks ago.
My husband is at the customs office today to find out what is going on.
I have been here for 5 weeks using a blunt second hand knife and a dinner plate as my chopping board.
I am sick and tired of it and really considering forcing them to pay to send it back to Australia, and my plane ticket to follow it.
A bit over it at the moment, which is a shame because I love living here, but ridiculous things like this make you hate it.
Better get used to it, there is no 'right' government here and all they want are bribes...
Good luck!
Emwaaah
