Vanuatu · Contractor Invoice Guide
Vanuatu is one of the few Pacific nations with no VAT — making invoicing simpler than Fiji, Samoa, or PNG. But professional invoicing is still essential for getting paid, maintaining business credibility, and winning resort and commercial contracts.
Updated May 2026 · No VAT system in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has no VAT — there's no tax to calculate or add to your invoice. A valid invoice just needs your business name, client details, invoice number, date, description of work, itemised labour and materials, and total payable in VUV.
Vanuatu has no Value Added Tax (VAT) system. This makes invoicing significantly simpler than neighbouring Pacific nations — there is no tax to calculate, no registration threshold to worry about, and no VAT returns to file.
Your invoices simply need to show what work was done, the cost, and the total payable. This simplicity is one reason Vanuatu is an attractive destination for expat contractors and business operators.
Here's the full checklist for a professional contractor invoice in Vanuatu:
Here's a complete, professional invoice for a Vanuatu contractor job. Clean and simple — no VAT line required:
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa maintenance & repairs — Havannah Harbour | 10 hrs | 4,500 VT/hr | 45,000 VT |
| Fixings, paint & hardware | 1 | 18,000 VT | 18,000 VT |
Who you're invoicing
Much of the construction and trades work in Vanuatu involves resort developments, expat residential projects, and commercial builds in Port Vila and Luganville. These clients — particularly resort operators and property developers — expect professional, itemised invoices. A handwritten note will not do.
A TradieNotes PDF invoice positions you as a professional operator and helps you win and retain higher-value commercial clients.
While Vanuatu has no VAT, businesses do pay Business License Tax and may be subject to Income Tax depending on their structure and turnover. If your construction or trades business is earning significant revenue, consult with a local accountant or the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) regarding your obligations.
For sole traders doing small to medium jobs, the practical requirement is simply to invoice professionally and keep records — no VAT calculation needed.
TradieNotes generates professional invoices in Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) within seconds — with no VAT to calculate, your invoice is clean and straightforward. Snap your site notes or speak them aloud, the AI builds the invoice, and your PDF is emailed to you and your client instantly. Just $1 NZD per export.
Every invoice you create in TradieNotes is saved to your account as a digital record — no need to print and file paper copies.
Common questions
No subscription · VUV invoices · NZ made
This guide is general information for Vanuatu contractors. It is not legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local accountant or VIPA.
