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Entering
Bahamian Ports of Entry
The following are ports of entry in The Bahamas. Vessels
may not enter at places other than those listed.
Abaco:
Walker's Cay, Spanish Cay (customs facilities temporarily
closed at this writing), Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay,
Marsh Harbour.
Andros:
Morgan's Bluff, San Andros, Fresh Creek, Congo Town.
Berry Islands:
Great Harbour Cay, Chub Cay.
Bimini:
Alice Town (North Bimini).
Cat Cay:
Cat Cay.
Cat Island:
Smith Bay or New Bight (airport), Arthur's Town (airport),
Bennett's Harbour.
Eleuthera:
Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Governor's Harbour, Rock
Sound, Cape Eleuthera (Note: Customs facilities at Cape
Eleuthera were closed at this writing).
Exuma:
George Town (Government Dock in Elizabeth Harbour).
Grand Bahama:
West End, Freeport Harbour, Port Lucaya Marina, Lucaya Marina
Village, Xanadu Marina.
Inagua:
Matthew Town.
Long Island:
Stella Maris.
New Providence:
Nassau (any yacht basin).
San Salvador:
Cockburn Town.
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Customs and Immigration Procedure
All vessels arriving into Bahamian waters
must enter immediately with both customs and immigration
officials at the nearest port of entry listed above. An
exception to this is if conditions preclude safe approach
to a port of entry. Under these circumstances, you must
plan to enter as soon as feasible. If conditions are such
that you are forced to anchor out or tie up, and your entry
is delayed, make every effort to inform customs/immigration
or the dockmaster at your port of entry of your situation.
If, for any reason, you fail to report for clearance within
24 hours of arrival into Bahamian waters, you will be subject
to penalties and the vessel is liable to seizure and forfeiture.
When nearing the selected port of entry a quarantine (yellow)
flag must be flown. No goods may be unloaded, and no contact
may be made with the shore other than tying up, until the
vessel has been granted practique by custom and immigration
officials.
The captain of the vessel must complete customs
and immigration forms, and passengers and crew must fill
out immigration cards and provide proof of citizenship,
generally with a valid passport. However, U.S. citizens
may, as an alternative, produce a valid original birth certificate
or voter registration card, which must be accompanied by
a valid driver's license with photo. A driver's license
alone will not suffice. These are the requirements according
to The Bahamas Immigration Department at this writing, but
keep in mind that these rules are subject to change, so
it might be a good idea to have a passport or birth certificate
with you as well as one of the other forms of identification.
An International Maritime Declaration of Health (in duplicate),
in lieu of a Bill of Health, is accepted from yachts arriving
in The Bahamas. Smallpox vaccination certificates and cholera
inoculation certificates are required only if the yacht
is arriving directly from an infected area.
Recently, the various fees paid as part of
customs entry have been combined into one overall fee of
$300, which covers the cruising permit, fishing permit,
and any travel or overtime fees for customs and immigration
officers. If the vessel carries more than four passengers,
each additional passenger of six years old or above is subject
to an additional tax of $15. The cruising permit is valid
for up to 12 months. Two additional 12-month extensions
to the initial 12-month cruising permit can be applied for
and may be granted at a cost of $500 for each request. When
these have expired, the vessel must leave The Bahamas or
pay duty.
Rules Regarding Importation of Boats
and Parts
As of autumn 1997, the rate of duty on pleasure vessels
of less than 150 gross tons but not less than 30 feet in
length, is 5% (with additional stamp duty of 1%). Pleasure
vessels of less than 150 gross tons but more than 100 feet
in length likewise now are subject to a 5% duty rate (with
additional stamp duty of 1%). Boats of 150 gross tons or
more are duty-free. (For boats of less than 30 feet, the
duty is 22.5% (with the additional 7% stamp duty). Owners
of foreign-registered vessels (including U.S.) may keep
them in The Bahamas for one year without paying duty and
may extend this one-year stay for up to three years by paying
a fee of $500 per year after the first. Spare parts imported
for installation on vessels under a temporary cruising permit
are duty-free. You must show your cruising permit to qualify
for this. If spare parts are imported as cargo, a 7% stamp
duty is applicable.
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Private aircraft departing the United
States does not have to clear with U.S. customs when leaving
the country. You must enter the Bahamas at an airport of
entry. You should have proof of citizenship. A passport
is perfect although a birth certificate and a photo identification
will also suffice. A drivers license or a voter’s registration
card are no longer adequate. It is important that your private
flight be for personal pleasure. There are substantial fines
for unauthorized or unlicensed charters into the Bahamas.
In general, upon entry, you will need to fill out either
a general declaration or a cruising permit. The advantage
of this document is that you can travel from airport to
airport. Immigration is remarkably consistent, the same
form is used throughout the country and only one form is
ever required.
Upon returning to the United States you’ll
need your proof of citizenship as well as your pilot and
aircraft documents. U.S. Customs will ask to see your aircraft
registration, airworthiness certificate, pilot’s certificate,
and recent medical. A “pink slip” or temporary
registration will not suffice to re-enter the United States.
These rules and regulations are always
subject to change. For updates or additional information,
write the Port Director of Customs, U.S. Customs Service,
Miami International Airport, P.O. Box 59-2061 AMF, Miami,
FL 33159 or call (305) 536-5786.
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