Boat & Yacht Etiquette
January 19, 2022Clearing Customs in the Bahamas
To begin the clearing process, boat owners must have the required forms and permits and the ability to pay any related fees while making additional considerations for related activities or items on board.
As long as you have the required documentation and pay associated fees or duties, clearing Customs is rather simple. Boat owners and operators must follow Bahamas Customs and Immigration protocols for entry regardless of the type of trip you have planned. Below, you'll find a concise guide to safely clearing Customs in the Bahamas.
Private Yachts
Do Private Yachts Go Through Customs?
All foreign, private, and non-commercial pleasure boats, including private yachts, must go through Customs to legally sail in Bahamian waters. Due to potential weather and safety hazards, motorboats should be at least 30 feet or longer to make the voyage to the Bahamas.
Arrival
What Is The Clearing Process for Entering The Islands?
Ports of Entry
When entering Bahamian waters, you must clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry.
Abaco
- Green Turtle Public Dock
- Baker’s Bay Marina, Guana Cay
- Cherokee Air
- Conch Inn Marina
- Great Abaco Beach Resort Marina
- Jib Room Marina
- Leonard M Thompson International Airport
- Mangoes Marina
- Marsha Harbour Public Dock
- Treasure Cay Airport
- Treasure Cay Public Dock
- Treasure Cay Marina
Andros
Berry Islands
Bimini
- Arthur’s Town Public Dock
- Bennett’s Harbour Public Dock
- New Bight Airport
- Smith’s Bay Airport
- Smith’s Bay Public Dock
- Ocean Cay Airport
- Ocean Cay Marina
Eleuthera
Exuma
- Black Point Airport
- Black Point Public Dock
- Emerald Bay Marina
- Exuma International Airport
- Exuma Public Dock
- Exuma Yacht Club Marina
Grand Bahama
- Bradford Marine
- Freeport Container Port
- Freeport Harbour
- Grand Bahama International Airport
- Grand Bahama Yacht Club
- Lucayan Marina Village
- Lucayan Yacht Club
- Ocean Reef Marina
- Port Lucaya Marina
- Running Mon Marina
- Xanadu Marina
Inagua
Long Island
- Clarence Town Public Dock
- Deadman’s Cay Airport
- Salt Pond Public Dock
- Simms Public Dock
- Stella Maris Airport
- Stella Maris Public Dock
- Stella Maris Marina
Nassau
- Albany Marina
- Arawak Container Port
- Atlantis Marina
- East Bay Yacht Basin
- Harbour Central Marina
- Kelly’s Dock
- Lyford Cay Marina
- Lynden Pindling International Airport
- Nassau Harbour Club
- Nassau Yacht Haven
- Prince George Dock
- Southwest Bay Dolphins
- Texaco Harbour View Marina
San Salvador
- Riding Rock Marina
- San Salvador Airport
- San Salvador Public Dock
Staniel Cay
- Staniel Cay Airport
- Staniel Cay Dock
The names of each port and their locations are also available on the department's website.
Quarantine
Yellow Quarantine Flag
As you reach the nearest port, you must fly the yellow quarantine flag and let Customs know you've arrived.
Quick Fact About Covid
Testing Requirements
Leaving the Boat Upon Entry
Only the captain or master can leave the boat until cleared for entry. Customs and Immigration officials will meet you at your boat to ensure you have all required documentation and forms for yourself, your boat, and any passengers traveling with you. This process also includes duties on certain imported items.
Documentation
Required Forms and Identifications
According to Bahamas boating regulations, there are four types of forms or documentation required to clear Customs and gain entry to the islands.
The following include Bahamas Customs and Immigration forms for all boats looking to enter Bahamian waters:
Bahamas Ports Fees & Duties
You must pay a port fee to enter the Bahamas.The size of your boat and the length of your stay determines your port fees.
This payment includes your cruising permit, fishing permit, and departure tax for up to three people. While subject to change, current Bahamas port fees, including boat length and duration of stay, are:
Fee Schedule
- $150 for 3 months or $300 annually for boats up to 34 feet long
- $300 for 3 months or $600 annually for boats 35 - 100 feet long
- $500 for 3 months or $1,000 annually for boats 100 - 150 feet long
- $800 for 3 months or $1,600 annually for boats 150 - 200 feet long
- $1,000 for 3 months or $2,000 annually for boats over 200 feet long
How Much Does It Cost to Clear Customs in the Bahamas?
To clear customs in the Bahamas, boat owners must pay applicable port fees. If more than three people are on board, there is a $20 departure tax for each person over that limit. You also must pay any duties or stamp taxes on the value of imported or exported items. Rates vary by item from 0 percent to 220 percent. You can find a current Bahamas Customs duty list on the department's website.
What To Declare At Customs in the Bahamas
All visitors must declare certain items they bring into or out of the Bahamas. Some items are restricted and have a duty fee, and certain prohibited goods cannot cross the border.
Travelers also need to declare tobacco and alcohol products as well as electronic equipment.
When importing or exporting cargo, businesses and individuals can use Click2Clear to submit declarations.
Special Requirements
Additional Considerations When Clearing Customs
Depending on the type of trip you have planned, and how you like to travel, there are additional considerations to make when going through Bahamas Customs and Immigration. Some permits or regulations require more documentation and fees before you leave your home port, so it's a good idea to check all requirements for smoother sailing during your Bahamian fling or vacation.
Fishing
Sport & Fly Fishing Permits
The port fee paid upon entry includes the cost of a fishing permit. You may also acquire a fishing permit online from an official vendor by pre-registering, making your time spent clearing Customs easier. Be sure to research catch limits to know the species you can catch and how many fish you can keep. There are also specific authorizations required for sport fishing, fly fishing, and spearfishing.
Pets
Bringing Dogs, Cats or Domestic Animals
If you plan to bring your pet dog or cat on board, you must submit a written application to import a domestic animal to the Director of Agriculture in Nassau. You can pay the processing fee for each animal either by money order or cash. The online form asks that you include your pet's age, vaccination record, and a certificate of health from a veterinarian. These licenses are valid for one year only.
Guns
Having A Firearm On Board
The only firearms allowed on your boat in the Bahamas are shotguns or handguns. If you have one of these firearms onboard, you must declare it with Bahamas Customs. Agents will ask for the serial number, manufacturer name, and exact ammunition count. The firearm must stay on the boat at all times, secured under lock and key.
Plane to Boat
Arriving By Air, Leaving By Boat
Those who fly to the Bahamas and plan to leave via a private yacht should purchase a return airplane ticket as a precautionary measure and seek reimbursement later. If you don't have a return ticket, the boat owner must be physically present with the vessel's cruising permit. Usually, this is only of concern for crew members and not the owner or operator of the boat themselves.
Leaving
Bahamas Boating Regulations Upon Departure
Once your Bahama vacation or trip comes to an end and it's time to sail home, surrender your immigration card to the officials at the last Bahamian port you visit.
Next, you'll go to a port of call in the U.S. and report your arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Officials will then direct you to a Port of Entry.
When you call for clearance upon arrival, have this information on hand:
Departure Checklist
- Vessel name & registration
- Boat owners name & citizenship
- Captain’s name, date of birth, and citizenship
- Passengers’ names and dates of birth
- List of foreign ports/places visited and duration of stay
- Total value of all acquisitions and purchases
The Clearing Process at Bahamas Customs and Immigration
If you're going to the Bahamas for a relaxing vacation, fun trip, or family cruise, the simpler you make it, the more you'll enjoy it. Having all the required documentation and forms on hand ensures a faster, easier way to get through Customs and begin exploring the beautiful Islands of the Bahamas on your yacht.
