CRUISING PERMITS

Be sure to check the most up-to-date COVID Travel Protocols before heading to The Bahamas.

ARRIVING BY BOAT

To enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, private vessels need the following:

  1. One (1) copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form

  2. One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person

  3. Proof of Citizenship—Passport

For digital submission of forms and on-line pleasure vessel clearance visit Click 2 Clear information page.

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Downloadable Forms – scroll down to bottom of this page. 

Information and on-line payments for yacht charter clearance can all be found on Bahamas SeaZ Pass Page.

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Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter each port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.

Customs and Immigration officials will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. US citizens must present a passport. Before leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit.

If you have a firearm on board (shotguns and handguns only) you must declare it with Bahamian Customs. You must provide the serial number, name of the manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. While you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot remove it. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. In cases of emergencies, which require your departure by air, you must notify Bahamian Police or Customs. They will accompany you to retrieve the firearm and present you with a receipt. Upon your return to the island, Bahamian Police or Customs will escort you to your vessel and return your firearm. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely.

ENTRY FEES

Bahamas Cruising Permit Fees as of January 1, 2020:

 

The following fees will be applied to boats staying in The Bahamas for up to 3 months:

 

  • Boats up to 34 feet: $150

  • Boats 35-99 feet: $300

  • Boats 100-149 feet: $500

  • Boats 150-200 feet: $800

  • Boats over 200 feet: $1,000

 

The fees cover both a cruising permit and fishing permit, as well as the departure tax for up to three people. Each additional person will be charged a $20 departure tax. The fee is good for a second re-entry within a 90-day period.

 

For stays longer than 3 months:

 

  • Boats up to 34 feet: $300 annually

  • Boats 35-99 feet: $600 annually

  • Boats 100-149 feet: $1,000 annually

  • Boats 150–200 feet: $1,600 annually

  • Boats over 200 feet: $2,000 annually

 

For a stay longer than 12 months, special arrangements must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration.

 

Please note that Attendance Fees, Fishing Permit, Transportation and Overtime fees are all included in the price of the cruising permit. The only additional fees would be for additional departure tax if there are more than 3 persons at a cost of $20 per additional person.

 

It is illegal to tip government employees. Boaters are asked to report if they are ever asked for these types of payments to the local marina manger or dockmaster.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

ARRIVING BY AIR/RETURNING BY BOAT

Travelers are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket) even when they are confirmed to return via private boat. However, if the traveler arrives at Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the owner/operator of the boat must present himself/herself and the vessel’s cruising permit. A copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice.

 

Upon your arrival to The Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure. All visitors are required to be in possession of a return ticket.

 

US CITIZENS

A valid passport is required. A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.

 

US RESIDENTS (NON-CITIZENS)

An Alien Registration Card (Green Card) AND a valid passport from their country of citizenship are required.

 

For visits EXCEEDING 30 days, a valid passport AND a Bahamas visa are required.

 

CANADIAN CITIZENS

A valid passport is required for proof of citizenship. Voter registration cards, birth certificates and photo identifications are no longer accepted as proof of citizenship.

 

A Bahamas visa is required for stays exceeding three months.

 

UNITED KINGDOM CITIZENS

Citizens of the United Kingdom and colonies require a valid passport.

 

A visa is required for stays exceeding eight months.

 

ALL OTHER COUNTRIES

For entry formalities, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Bahamas Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, BAHAMAS EMBASSY, CONSULATE AND HIGH COMMISSION OFFICES

THE BAHAMAS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Consular Section
Norfolk House, Frederick Street
P.O. Box N-3746
Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: (242) 323.5578/5565
Fax: (242) 326.6186

WASHINGTON, D.C. | USA

Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
2220 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 319.2660/7
Fax: (202) 319.2668
bahemb@aol.com

MIAMI | USA

Bahamas Consulate General
25 S.E. Second Avenue
Ingraham Bldg., Suite 600
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 373.6295
Fax: (305) 373.6312
bcgmia@bellsouth.net

NEW YORK | USA

Bahamas Consulate General
Bahama House
231 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 688.5926
Fax: (212) 688.5926
bahamasconsulate@bahamasny.com

CANADA

Bahamas High Commission
Metropolitan Life Centre
50 O’Connor, Suite 1313
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1 6L2
Phone: (613) 232.1724
Fax: (613) 232.0097
ottawa-mission@bahighco.com

UNITED KINGDOM

Bahamas High Commission
10 Chesterfield Street
London, W1J 5JL
England
Phone: (011) 44 207.408.4488
Fax: (011) 44 207.499.9937
information@bahamashclondon.net

EXITING POLICIES

As of July 1, 2020 all pleasure vessels must now clear outbound before leaving. Upon leaving the Master of the Vessel will be granted a Certificate of Clearance. Please clear outwards at the last Port of Entry before you exit The Bahamas. There are NO fees required for the clearance certificate.

When a private vessel arrives at a port of call in the United States, the Master or Captain of the vessel must report their arrival immediately upon first landfall to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by calling the following toll free number or visiting the following website:

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The Captain will be directed to the nearest Port of Entry and must physically present him/herself and their passengers for admission to the US.

Please visit www.dhs.gov for admission requirements.

When you call for clearance, have the following information available:

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  1. Vessel name and registration/document number

  2. Vessel owner name and citizenship

  3. Vessel commander/master name, date of birth and citizenship

  4. Passengers’ names and dates of birth

  5. Foreign ports or places visited and duration of stay

  6. Total value of all acquisitions and purchases made

More About Boating in The Bahamas.

We recommend all pleasure and charter vessels download the following letter from the Comptroller of Customs outlining the all required Customs fees and service charges to have with you when checking into customs. If you receive any differing information upon entry into The Bahamas please inform a Senior Customs Official or the local dockmaster.

BAHAMAS CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION FORMS

Maritime Declaration of Health

Bahamas Customs Clearance Form – boaters print and fill out prior to arrival

Charter Vessels will need to complete the following form for Bahamas Customs

Bahamas Immigration Card

Bahamas Import and Pets Information and Form