About Us at Express Customs Services Port Vila Vanuatu

Tony and Pam Ryan, along with their two young sons, Stewart and Lindsay, came to Vanuatu in 1993, after 11 years working in Papua New Guinea on overseas contract. The prospect of owning and developing their own business offered new challenges and possibilities. Tony, who was actually raised on a farm in the Central West of New South Wales in Australia, knew that their lives belonged in the Pacific Islands and the unique experiences they offer. He took over the operations of Express Customs Services Ltd (ECS) in December of that year.

The company had an agency for DHL Worldwide Express, which was its main source of income. As well as the DHL Agency the company also dabbled in freight forwarding and operated as customs brokers. The early years of the operation saw the company dramatically increase in turnover. During 1995 an opportunity came up to expand the business through the purchase of another company specializing in furniture and household goods removals. It also included some other international agency arrangements. As this was an area of great potential, ECS purchased that business. Along with the increase in business came an increase in staff and the need to expand the physical presence of the company. The next couple of years saw several location moves to cater for this. During 1999 Tony and Pam looked at the possibility of purchasing their own property for the business. A site was eventually located not far from the wharf area of Port Vila and by August 2000 the deal had been finalized.

Obviously, DHL still makes up a substantial part of the overall turnover of the Company. However, ECS has become the major provider for support logistical services to other companies in Vanuatu and increased the removals business to the point where they are now the preferred packer to most of the Diplomatic Corps and Financial institutions in Port Vila. They have established an agency arrangement on the other major economic center on the northern island of Luganville on Esptiritu Santo and offer both international and domestic courier services between the two centers. Internet is fast becoming the modern way to do business. Vanuatu being a tax haven and a secure stable country offers an excellent opportunity to operate Internet marketing facilities, while maximizing tax advantages. ECS already offers support services to several companies for warehousing, packing and distribution of their products.

ECS have a strong knowledge of Customs’ importation and export requirements for Vanuatu. The team at ECS has a high level of understanding of the procedures of exporting and importing by either sea or air. We have gained a great deal of experience by working with our various overseas agents and other local importers and exporters. Some of the products handled in the past as exports include: live fish, coral, beche de mer, sandalwood, lobster - all to various parts of the world. Recently the company has become a member of the World Wide Partnership Network of Freight Forwarders (WWPC)

The Company now has eight full time staff as well as a part-time administration person and a fleet of three vehicles. It is a very much family oriented business where everyone within the company is invited to participate in the day-to-day operation.

ECS is looking forward to assisting you with your business to or from Vanuatu.

Express Customs Services Ltd P.O. Box 424, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Telephone: (678) 23943/25247 Fax: (678) 26389

Email: info@expresscustomsservices.com

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