What to Expect When Arriving at Hanan International Airport
After a flight to Niue, the airport arrival process is the only thing standing between you and your island paradise! It’s an aspect of the holiday process, however, that stresses many of us out. What hurdles will we have to jump through this time? Our aim with this handy step-by-step guide is to relieve the stress of airport procedures and make your transition into island time as easy as possible. By the time you’ve read through, you’ll know what to expect from arriving at Niue’s Hanan Airport.
5 Steps for Arriving at Hanan Airport
Arriving in Niue is more than just getting your passport checked and being on your way. The procedures include Quarantine checks, Passport Control and more, which can be split into five simple steps:
- Complete the Passenger Arrival Card given to you during your flight or available at Hanan Airport’s Arrivals Area
- Land at Hanan Airport and pass through Passport Control, allowing Immigration Officers to view your passport and Passenger Arrival Card
- Collect your baggage from Baggage Claim
- See Biosecurity/Quarantine Officers, handing over your Passenger Arrival Card and declaring potential risk items
- Get your airport transfer or pick up your rental car and start your holiday in Niue!
Now, let’s go over all of the steps in detail…
(c) niuepocketguide.comStep 1: Complete the Niue Passenger Arrival Card
The first part of the arrivals process comes during your flight to Niue. Airline staff will distribute Niue Passenger Arrival Cards to each passenger. The form is an A5-sized double-sided card with a tear-off strip down the side. Don’t tear off the strip. The card must be completed for each individual passenger, including children and infants, and be completed in English with blue or black ink.
What is on the Niue Passenger Arrival Card?
The Niue Passenger Arrival Card asks for your personal details, such as your name, date of birth, sex, marital status, passport number, occupation, address, etc. You must also tick appropriate answers to the purpose of your trip, as well as answer some simple “Yes” and “No” questions to declare things concerning Customs, Biosecurity and Health.
To see the Passenger Arrival Card with its complete list of questions, see The Guide to the Niue Passenger Arrival Card.
(c) niuepocketguide.comStep 2: Passport Control
You’ve landed in Niue! On arrival at Hanan International Airport, you will be directed to the arrivals area where you have another opportunity to complete the Niue Passenger Arrival Card (perhaps if you fell asleep on your flight or they run out of arrival cards) then you will go through Passport Control.
The Passport Control Desk
At Passport Control, hand over your passport, Niue Passenger Arrival Card and evidence relating to your visa if applicable to the Immigration Officer. If you are from one of the 40 visa-exempt countries, you will be granted a Visitor Permit allowing you to stay in Niue for up to 30 days. To see a list of countries on the visa-exempt list and to see how to get an Entry Permit if your country is not visa-exempt, see Do You Need a Visa to Visit Niue?
The Immigration Officer may also ask you questions in relation to the answers you have given on the Passenger Arrival Card. You will then be told what further action needs to be taken or be handed your passport and arrival card and directed to the Baggage Claim area.
(c) niuepocketguide.comStep 3: Pick Up Your Baggage from Baggage Claim
Signs behind Passport Control will direct you to the Baggage Claim area of Hanan Airport (i.e. just turn right after going through Passport Control). There are no baggage carousels, so simply look out for your bags on the baggage carriages brought in one or two at a time. Yes, this can take a while but there’s something you can do in the meantime…
Duty-Free Store
… While you’re waiting for your bags, you can visit the Niue Bond Store selling duty-free goods located just behind the Passport Control desks.
Remember you can only purchase up to the duty-free allowance, which is explained in The Duty-Free Allowances for Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comStep 4: Declare Any “Declarable Items” at Quarantine and Customs
Once you have your baggage, you’ll notice a queue forming for the “Quarantine – Customs Desk” at the back of the Baggage Claim area. Here, you will hand over your Passenger Arrival Card to a Biosecurity/Customs Officer. They will ask questions regarding your answers given on the Passenger Arrival Card. This is also your last chance to declare something verbally if you have not done so on the Passenger Arrival Card.
Not sure what you’re supposed to declare? Check out What to Declare When Arriving in Niue.
Depending on if you have anything to declare or not, the Quarantine Officer will point you toward an inspection area. Otherwise, you’ll be asked to continue past the inspection area (usually to the sound of local musicians) and into the Public Area outside.
To learn more about what happens if you are found with restricted or prohibited items at Quarantine and Customs, as well as more about the entire procedure, head to Arriving in Niue: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process.
(c) niuepocketguide.comStep 5: Get Your Airport Transfer or Pick Up Your Car Rental
After you have passed through Quarantine and Customs, you are officially in Niue! You will be in an open-air airport lounge with pop-up kiosks for Niue’s largest accommodations and car rental companies.
Airport Transfers
If you’re getting an airport shuttle or transfer to your accommodation, go to the appropriate kiosk for your accommodation to sign in for your shuttle transfer. Alternatively, accommodation representatives will be waiting with a sign to greet you. Learn more about your airport transfer options in Airport Transfer Options in Niue.
Car Rentals
Car rental companies either have a kiosk with their name and logo so they are easy to identify or your car rental host likely holding a clipboard. Car rental staff will go through the car rental paperwork and car inspection process with you before handing over the keys to your awaiting vehicle. See The Guide to Car Hire in Niue to learn more about the process.
Airport Market
Beside the Public Area of Hanan Airport is a small market only open on plane days. Browse a small selection of souvenirs, such as jewellery and garlands, as well as purchase hot food and hot and cold drinks (if there’s anything left). Otherwise, the market will be available on departure, as outlined in Leaving Niue: The Niue Airport Departure Process.
More About Arriving at Niue Hanan Airport
That’s it for our complete guide to arriving at Hanan Airport. For more on the subject, check out our other arrival guides:
- Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Niue
- How Long Can You Stay in Niue on a Visitor Visa?
- Leaving Niue: The Niue Airport Departure Process
Finally, don’t miss a thing about planning a trip to Niue by checking out The Best Niue Travel Guide.
