If you don't already know, the Customs and Immigration fee structure has changed considerably in The Bahamas over the last ten years and it has caused a tremendous amount of contention in various segments of the cruising community.  Regardless, cruisers still come to the Bahamas, and likely will, at least until Cuba opens up I’d wager.  The new cruising permit fee is $150 for vessels to 35’ in length, and $300 for vessels over 35’ and is valid for one year.  This fee allows the owner to keep the vessel in Bahamian waters for up to one year without paying duty, and also covers the cost of Immigration charges for up to 4 people.  Also included are all transportation and overtime charges as well as a one-year fishing permit for up to six reels.  This fee allows you to also leave the Bahamas within 90 days of your first clearance and return without having to pay the fee a second time.  It is sometimes possible to get an extension for this permit for $500, but it is at the option of the Customs officer on duty.  If you wish to leave your boat permanently in the Bahamas you will have to pay a 27% duty on vessels under 30’ and 6% on vessels from 30-100’.  A $15 departure tax is included for those of your crew who choose to fly home but they’ll need a copy of your cruising permit when flying out so they won’t have to pay the $15 departure tax a second time.

     U.S. citizens need proof of citizenship, a passport (not required) or a Voter Registration Card and a photo ID.  Canadian and British visitors also do not need passports.  Visas are not required for visitors from the U.S., Canada, and persons from any British Commonwealth country.  If you are flying in and returning by way of a boat in transit you need some proof that you are able to leave the country.  It is suggested that ybash in your unused ticket or use it for a future flight.  Check with the airline when buying your ticket as to their policy in this matter.

     If yours is a pleasure vessel with no dutiable cargo, the captain will fill out a Maritime Declaration of Health, Inwards Report for pleasure vessels, and a crew list.  Do not mistakenly call your crew “passengers” or it may be interpreted that you are running a charter.  An International Marine Declaration of Health in duplicate will be accepted in lieu of a Bill of Health from vessels arriving in the Bahamas.  Smallpox vaccination certificates and cholera inoculation certificates are required only if the vessel is arriving directly from an infected area. 

     Each crewmember will fill out and sign an Immigration form.  You will be asked to answer several tourism related questions.  You can ask for and receive a stay of up to eight months however some Immigration Officials will only give three months for reasons that are clear only to them.  This is an inconsistency that one sees every now and then as you talk to different cruisers and find out about their clearing-in adventure.  An Immigration official in Nassau explained to me that it is up to the individual officer to determine how long a stay to permit, while yet another officer told me that only an Immigration officer of a certain rank can issue stays longer than three months.  If you have guests flying in they also must have a return trip ticket and proof of citizenship.

     The captain will be issued a Cruising Permit (Transire) for the vessel that is valid for up to 12 months.  This permit must be presented to any Customs official or other proper officer (if requested) while in the Bahamas.  If you wish to keep your vessel in Bahamian waters for longer than one year without paying import duties, special arrangements must be made with Customs (see above).  Spare parts for installation aboard your vessel are duty free.  If the parts are imported as cargo they are subject to a 6% duty.  Bicycles and motorcycles (including scooters), are required to be licensed at the yacht’s port of entry.  If they are to be brought ashore they may be subject to a Customs duty or a bond in the form of a cash deposit.

     If you have pets on board they must have an import permit.  An application for the permit may be requested by writing to the Director of the Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, Bahamas (242-325-7502, fax # 242-325-3960).  Return the completed application with a $10.00 fee in the form of a Postal Money Order or International Money Order payable to the Public Treasury.  This will hasten the process of obtaining your permit although you should allow three to four weeks processing time.  Rabies certificates are required of all animals over three months old and must be more than 10 days but less than 9 months old and should be presented when you clear Customs and Immigration.  If you wish your permit to be faxed to you, include a fax number and an extra $5 in the money order.

     Non-residents of the Bahamas entering aboard a foreign vessel are not required to obtain permits nor pay duties on firearms during their visit to the islands.  This exemption is for three months following the arrival of the vessel at a designated port of entry.  After three months a certificate must be obtained from the Commissioner of Police.  All firearms must be kept safe from theft under lock and key and be declared on your cruising permit with an accurate count of all ammunition.  Firearms may not be used in Bahamian waters nor taken ashore.  Hunters should contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Nassau for information on hunting in the Bahamas.  Completely forbidden are tear gas pens, military arms such as artillery, flame-throwers, machine guns, and automatic weapons.  Exempt are toy guns, dummy firearms, flare guns, and spear guns designed for underwater use. 

     Certain items may be brought in duty free including personal effects such as wearing apparel, ship’s stores, 1 quart of alcoholic beverage, 1 quart of wine, 1 pound in weight of tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. 

     As soon as the captain has cleared Customs, you may take down your yellow “Q” flag and replace it with the Bahamian courtesy flag. 

Ports of Entry

ABACO: Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbour, Spanish Cay, Walker's Cay

ANDROS: Congo Town, Fresh Creek (Lighthouse Marina), Mangrove Cay, Morgan's Bluff

BERRY ISLANDS: Chub Cay (Chub Cay Marina), Great Harbour Cay (Great Harbour Cay Marina)

NORTH BIMINI: Alice Town

SOUTH BIMINI: Bimini Sands Marina

CAT CAY: Cat Cay Marina

CAT ISLAND: Simth's Bay, New Bight, airport

ELEUTHERA: Governor's Harbour, Harbour Island, Powell Point (Cape Eleuthera Marina),  Rock Sound, Spanish Wells,

EXUMA: Emerald Bay Marina, George Town

GRAND BAHAMA: Freeport, Port Lucaya (Port Lucaya Marina, Lucayan Marina Village, Xanadu Marina), West End

INAGUA: Matthew Town

LONG ISLAND: Stella Maris

NEW PROVIDENCE: Nassau (any marina), Lyford Cay (Lyford Cay Marina)

MAYAGUANA: Abraham's Bay

RAGGED ISLAND: Duncan Town

SAN SALVADOR: Cockburn Town (Riding Rock Marina)

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The Turks and Caicos 

     All vessels entering the waters of the Turks and Caicos must clear in with Customs and Immigration officials at the nearest port of entry listed above.  Failure to report within 24 hours may subject you to a penalty and make you liable for confiscation and forfeiture of your vessel.  When approaching your selected port of entry be sure to fly your yellow “Q” flag.  Only the captain of the vessel may go ashore to arrange clearance and no other shore contact is permitted until pratique is granted.  During normal working hours, 0800 to 1630, Monday through Friday, the only fee charged is a  mandatory $5.00 boarding fee, whether the office actually boards your boat or not.  At South Dock, near Sapodilla Bay, you’ll clear ashore and no officer boards your boat, but if you’re in a marina the Customs officer will come to you.  If arriving outside normal working hours or on holidays you may expect to pay overtime charges, usually a $15.00 clearance fee and a $6.00 overtime fee Monday through Friday, and an $8.00 fee overtime if you clear in on Sundays and holidays.  These fees are likely to increase over the next year or two.  New fees are hinted at approximately $26 for clearance in and $50 for a cruising permit, with only two cruising permits available during any one calendar year.

     If you plan to stay in the Turks and Caicos for seven days or less, no cruising permit is required.  If you intend to stay more than seven days you must get a cruising permit from Customs at no charge.  But first you must report to Immigration to secure a Visa for your stay.  Visas are granted for periods not to exceed 30 days and can be renewed twice, each renewal costs $50 per passport.   After 90 days in the Turks and Caicos you must leave and return to be eligible for another 90 days.  Some yachts simply head to the DR for a week or so to provision at Luperón and then return.     

     North Americans need proof of citizenship, a passport (not required) or voter registration card, and a photo ID.  If you are flying in and returning by way of a boat in transit you need some proof that you are able to leave the country.  It is suggested that you purchase a round trip ticket and leave the return reservation open.  When you return aboard your boat you may then cash in your unused ticket or use it for a future flight.  Check with the airline when buying your ticket as to their policy in this matter.  As soon as the captain has cleared Customs, you must take down your yellow “Q” flag and replace it with the British courtesy flag.  Canadian citizens need a valid passport or some proof of identity such as a birth certificate along with a photo ID and a return ticket if arriving by air and a visa is not required.  Australian, New Zealand, EU, and Japanese citizens need a valid passport and a return ticket, but no visa is required.  Citizens of countries not listed above should check with the embassy or consulate in their home country for details on entry requirements. 

     Vessels leaving the Turks and Caicos are now required to clear out 24-hours in advance of their scheduled departure time.  If you’re in a marina, have the dockmaster notify Customs for you and an officer will soon arrive to clear you out of the country.  If you’re in Sapodilla Bay you can go to South Dock for your outward clearance.  If you clear out and must wait on weather in some place like Great Sand Cay (if you’re bound for the DR) it is fine to await weather at the cay, however you cannot clear out and then anchor at an inhabited cay. If you are in Turtle Cove Marina or Leeward Going Through and wish to stopover at Sapodilla Bay before heading to Luperón, do not call Customs  to come to you for an outward clearance, instead, when you arrive at Sapodilla Bay, go to South Dock to clear.

     Most vessels heading across the banks and venturing south to the DR or Puerto Rico leave Provo and head to Ambergris Cay and then Sand Cay.  As long you do not stop at any other inhabited islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you may proceed straight across the banks and stage your trip from Sand Cay.  When clearing out of Sapodilla Bay, you can clear out in the afternoon and not actually leave until the next morning, as long as you are gone before Customs opens.  This enables you to have an early morning start to get to Ambergris before dark. There are no fees to clear out unless you choose to do so outside of normal working hours.  The same rates for overtime are charged as for clearing in.  If you or your guests are flying out, be advised that the airport departure tax is US$15 for visitors over the age of 12.

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Dominican Republic   

     Most cruisers visiting the Dominican Republic are concerned about clearance procedures, which seem to change with each new Commandante at each port.  It used to be far easier to clear in and out of Luperón, but as the years pass layer upon layer of bureaucracy have been heaped up and now one feels like you are walking into a den of thieves who are anxious to take you for as much as they can.  As of this writing (bear in mind that these procedures and prices are subject to change with no notice, especially as the value of the peso fluctuates), clearance prices are RD$700 (US$27) for your boat, US$10 per person aboard (each of whom will have to purchase a tourist card), an Agriculture inspection which costs US$10, and finally US$11 for the Port Authority.  The Commandante, especially in Luperón, will likely ask for a “gift”, and one of his assistants may ask the same as they board your boat.  If you give a gift to the Commandante you just make it harder for the next cruiser.  Just don’t pay!  If you don’t like saying no, simply say that you don’t understand what they’re saying (No entiendo).  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE COMMANDANTE!!!  If you or your crew is flying out you will have to pay an RD$700 (US$27) departure tax.

     When arriving in the DR hoist your “Q” flag and wait for the Commandante and his entourage.  After they clear your vessel all persons aboard must go to Immigration, the small blue trailer on the right at the head of the town dock.  Immigration can give you 90 days with one renewal for $10, however they often give you less so you have to come back in and buy another tourist card.  After six months you must leave the country and then clear back in, many folks go to the Turks and Caicos and return.  It is not acceptable to get a Haitian stamp on your passport to show that you left.

     When clearing out you must obtain a despacho.  On the day of your departure, one hour before you plan to leave, you must go to the Port Authority office.  If you have been in the harbor for over 7 days you will pay US$15.  Take that receipt to the Commandancia and obtain your despacho.  If leaving Luperón the Commandante will then come to your boat for an inspection and give you your despacho which will be good for 24 hours, but they will want you to leave within an hour.   

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Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands

     Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth, American citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico.  British citizens need passports while Canadians need only proof of citizenship.  Citizens of all other countries will need a U.S. Visa before arrival. Customs and Immigration tell me that you can arrive without a Visa and apply upon arrival, but the fee is steep (up to $180) and the granting of the Visa is entirely up to the officer in charge that day.  It’s best to acquire a Visa prior to your voyage to Puerto Rico .  By the way, when clearing in to Puerto Rico , all persons aboard must present themselves along with the Captain to the local Immigration officer.  Your weapons may be confiscated so bear that in mind.

   There are new regulations concerning clearing Customs in Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin islands.  All vessels leaving the United States Virgin Islands, or the British Virgin Islands, must clear upon arrival in the Spanish Virgin Islands or at Puerto Rico.  Vessels entering outside of normal business hours must phone the Customs office in San Juan (787-253-4533) for instructions.  You must clear Customs in person immediately upon arrival, a $10,000 fine is the penalty for an infraction of this regulation.  If you arrive Tuesday morning you must clear on Tuesday, do not attempt to wait until Wednesday.  You must also visit Customs to clear out in person when leaving Puerto Rican waters.  If you are in Puerto Rico and wish to sail to the Spanish Virgin Islands you must notify the Fajardo USCG district office by phone before departure.  After a vessel has cleared into Puerto Rican waters the master of the vessel must notify Customs by phone before leaving one harbor in Puerto Rico for another harbor in Puerto Rico.  This means that if you wish to leave Fajardo for San Juan, you must notify Customs by phone before departing.  As a side note, cruisers have complained about being hassled about entry into Salinas.  It seems a cruiser threw his “foreign” garbage in the dumpster in Salinas and was threatened with a $1,000 fine for this infraction.  Apparently there is a “special” dumpster for this in Ponce, even though Salinas IS a Port of Entry. 

     U. S. citizens need a valid passport, or one not over 5-years old, or a birth certificate with a raised seal and a current photo ID.  Citizens of all other nationalities will need a passport, and some will require a visa; visas are not required of citizens of Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.  Failure to enter with a visa may result in a fine of up to $180 and issuing of a visa on the spot is solely in the hands of the Immigration officer on site.  When entering a United States Port of Entry all crew must report in person to Immigration.  There are no clearance fees in U.S. ports in the Virgin Islands.  Depending on where you are arriving from, you might be asked to clear with an Agriculture representative.

   Puerto Rico collects no customs duties on merchandise entering the island from the continental United States or its dependencies. Merchandise entering from foreign countries is subject to the duties of the United States , which are collected at the ports of Puerto Rico by the U.S. Customs Service.  At least 24-hours' advance notice of arrival of merchandise at a port should be given to the local customs officer.  

     Check with you home country’s duty regulations concerning importing articles from Puerto Rico.  Depending on where you arriving from, you might be asked to clear with the Department of Agriculture.

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The United States Virgin Islands

     Vessels entering and departing the Spanish, British, and United States Virgin Islands must clear when entering and leaving the territory.  U.S. flagged vessels need not clear when leaving the BVI if you are staying in the BVI for less than 72 hours.  U.S flagged vessels must clear in at Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgins when leaving the USVI since St. Thomas is a duty-free port.     

     U. S. citizens need a valid passport, or one not over 5-years old, or a birth certificate with a raised seal and a current photo ID.  Citizens of all other nationalities will need a passport, and some will require a visa; visas are not required of citizens of Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.  When entering a United States Port of Entry all crew must report in person to Immigration.  There are clearance fees in U.S. ports in the Virgin Islands.  A dress code is in effect for clearance at Customs, shirts and shoes are required, a bathing suit will not suffice.  Dress and act accordingly. 

     Since St. Thomas is a duty free port, U.S. citizens are allowed to return with, or mail back, $1200 worth of goods every 30 days including 4 liters of liquor, 5 if one is locally produced, five cartons of cigarettes, and 100 cigars.  This can be consolidated for a family so if you and mate and three children travel to the USVI you can return with $6,000 worth of duty free purchases.  U.S. citizens mail also mail home duty free gifts totaling $100 every day, but you cannot mail these items to yourself.  If you are importing items into the USVI, goods manufactured in the United States are not subject do duty, but goods manufactured in any foreign nation are subject to an import duty of 6% unless specified as free of duty. 

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The British Virgin Islands

     Vessels entering and departing the Spanish, British, and United States Virgin Islands must clear when entering and leaving the territory.  U.S. flagged vessels need not clear when leaving the BVI if you are staying in the BVI for less than 72 hours.  U.S flagged vessels must clear in at Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgins when leaving the USVI since St. Thomas is a duty-free port.

     Only the Captain may go ashore to clear when arriving in the BVI and overtime charges may be applied if you clear outside of normal office hours including Sundays and holidays.  Normal working hours are from 0830-1700 Monday-Saturday and from 0900-1700 on Sundays.  If you are carrying firearms aboard, be prepared to turn them over to BVI Customs officials for the duration of your stay.  You can ask for them just prior to clearing for your departure.  If you leave you weapons at Road Town when you clear in and then sail to Virgin Gorda, you’ll have to return to Road Town to pick up your weapons, Customs will not ship them to Virgin Gorda for you.  The BVI charges for harbour dues, ship’s dues, and form charges.  This usually runs between $7-$15 (depending on the size of your vessel) and more for overtime.  If you plan to use the BVI National Parks Trust moorings at the dive sites of the BVI, you must obtain a National Parks Permit when you clear upon arrival.  The fee is approximately $1 per person for each day that you use the park’s moorings, or $25 per week.  For more information on the moorings, see the previous section entitled Anchoring.  Never pick up a mooring unless you are sure it is available and not private, and unless you are certain it is secure and safe for use.

     U.S. flagged vessels may clear in and out of the BVI at the same time to avoid a second visit to the Customs office, however, if you have turned over weapons upon arrival you will need to return to Customs to arrange to pick up your weapons.

     Visitors to the British Virgin Islands may be granted entry for up to one month at the port of entry, those arriving by air must have an ongoing or return ticket.  Visitors wishing to stay longer than one month, you are permitted to stay for up to 6 months, must apply for an extension from the Immigration office in Road Town, Tortola, or at the Government Administration Building on Virgin Gorda.  United States and Canadian citizens may enter with a passport or proof of citizenship such as an authenticated birth certificate and photo identification, just a driver’s license will not suffice.  Visitors from all other countries will require a passport and some will require a visa.  If you have any questions concerning the need for a visa you can contact the Chief Immigration Officer at 284-494-3471 or 284-494-3701, extension 2538.  A cruising permit is required for all boats in the BVI.  From December 1-April 30, all recorded charter boats are charged $2 per person per day, and non-recorded charter boats are charged $4 per day.  From May 1-November 30 all recorded charter boats are charged $.75 per person per day, and all non-recorded charter boats are charged $4 per person per day. 

     Pets are allowed into the BVI only after the Department of Agriculture has issued an import permit.  For more information you can contact the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, 284-495-2532, fax 284-495-1269.  If you plan to visit the BVI it’s best to arrange for an import permit a few months before your expected arrival.

     Items imported into the BVI on a temporary basis are not subject to duty and most Customs duties vary from 5%-20%.  Proper invoices are required for all goods bought abroad and being imported.  Since the BVI is not duty free, U.S citizens may only take home $600 worth of items duty free as long as their stay in the BVI has been over 48 hours (U.S. Customs will place a duty of 10% on the next $1,000 worth of goods).  Bear in mind that the term “Duty Free” means that the vendor that sells you the item was not required to pay duty so he is passing that savings along to you.  It has nothing to do with your own country’s Customs regulations.  Spare parts may be brought into the BVI duty free for yachts in transit.  You will need the packages clearly marked with your vessel’s name and the words Yacht In Transit on the face.  To obtain clearance from Customs you will need your ship’s clearance papers, if you cannot produce these papers you will have to pay duty on the parts and apply later for a refund.  Duty on marine parts is 5%.

    You can obtain a fishing license from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries in Road Town, their phone number is 284-494-3429.

     There is a departure tax of $10 per person if leaving by air, $7 per person if leaving by cruise ship, and $5 per person if leaving by private boat.

     Before I close this section I would like to present you with a paragraph that was included in the British Virgin Islands Tourism Directory.  And I quote: “According to BVI Immigration and Passport Order 1980, the classes of persons commonly known as Rastafarians, and as hippies are prohibited from entry into the Territory.  However, persons within these classes may seek special approval from the Chief Minister’s Office by writing in advance to: Permanent Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, fax (284) 494-6413.”  So, if you’re a hippie or a Rasta, beware!  I wonder what they think about bikers?

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Anguilla

     There is a Customs office in Rendezvous Bay, but it is primarily for commercial vessels, yachts should proceed directly to Road Bay to clear, as anchoring is not permitted in the commercial, rolly harbor at Rendezvous Bay.  If you or your guests arrive by air, you are required to have an onward or return ticket.  U.S. and Canadian citizens need a current passport, or one that has not been expired more than 5 years, or a birth certificate (with raised seal) or voter’s registration card and a photo ID.  Citizens from all other countries need a valid passport.  Immigration can grant stays of up to 3 months, but if you only plan to stay for 24-hours, you can clear in and out at the same time.

     All visiting yachts must now pay for cruising permits in Anguilla, and you might find the rates a bit on the expensive side.  If you plan to anchor only in Road Bay, the entry fees are as follows: vessels under 20 tons are not charged as of this writing; vessels of 20-50 tons are charged US$12; vessels of 50-100 tons are charged US$23; and vessels of 100-250 tons are charges US$45 (tonnage rates are determined by the net tonnage of your vessel as per your documentation papers).   If you plan to sail anywhere other than Road Bay you will need a cruising permit and the rates are as follows: Yachts up to 5 tons are charged US$10 per day and $57 per week; yachts from 5-20 tons are charged US$38 per day and $227 per week; yachts over 20 tons are charged US$57 per day and $340 per week.  This is probably why the cruising community does not overrun Anguilla and why her anchorages are usually not crowded.  Also, bear in mind that just like a clock, a cruising permit is valid from midnight to midnight, so if you get a one day permit to visit another anchorage, you will actually need a two-day permit. 

     Moorings are placed in the designated anchorage areas set aside by the fisheries department and the fees for their usage (payable when you get your cruising permit) are US$15 for cruising boats with the owner aboard, and US$23 a night for all other vessels.  Please note that yacht moorings are white and will accommodate vessels to 55’ in length, while the red moorings are on for dive-boats.  Please use your own line to secure your vessel to the mooring to save wear and tear on the mooring pennant (wear and tear usually results in higher mooring fees).  If you are over 55’ in length you will need to ask Customs for anchoring instructions in the marine park’s designated anchorages, and the answer will usually be something to the effect, “Anchor in sand, not coral.”