Bahamas - Get Clearance for Cruise Ships or Pleasure Vessels

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To get Clearance for Cruise ships/ Pleasure Vessels, one must complete upon arrival Inward Declaration and Application for Cruising Permit Form C2A and Maritime Declaration of Health Form
2. The ship must enter at a designated Port of Entry. Click here to see list of designated Ports of Entry.
3. Upon approval, a “Temporary Cruising Permit” (Form C39) will be issued for the vessel.
4. At the time of clearance, supporting documents must be present (originals) and the fees associated with the clearance process must be paid.
5. In addition to the Cruising Permit fee, a passenger arrival tax of $20.00 per person is applicable for any pleasure vessel that brings more than three crew/passengers of or above the age of six years who is not a resident of The Bahamas.
6. Once at a Port of Entry, the captain must report directly to Bahamas Customs for the vessel clearance.
7. Until the vessel has been cleared by Bahamas Customs and Immigration, the only person permitted to disembark is the captain.
8. If this is your second voyage within 90 days the cost of the Temporary Cruising Permit is exempt but passenger arrival tax is not.
9. Before leaving The Bahamas, all Pleasure Vessels are required to clear outward on Form C28A: Entry Outward of Pleasure Vessel.
10. Upon approval of the C28A a “Certificate of Clearance of a Pleasure Vessel” will be issued.

NOTE:

1. The vessel will be checked at this time to ensure that all the items declared on arrival such as firearms, ammo and accessories that are listed on the Cruising Permit are on board at the time of departure.
2. Additionally, all seafood on-board will be verified in accordance with the fishing regulations as outlined on the back of the Fishing License issued on entrance.

Apply Online:

1. Log onto the portal using the “Cruising Permit” button on the landing page for the Official Customs Website Link
2. No username or password is required to log in.
3. Select “Pleasure Vessel” from the menu below the login fields.
4. Once logged in, select the “Pleasure Craft” to open the module and start in “Create Inbound” to begin declaring your vessel arrival.
5. Fill out all fields following the tabs to the right to continue the process from the “Header Tab” to the “Summary Tab”.
6. Once completed, validate and submit your voyage.
7. After submission is payment. Select the “Payment” module and click “Pleasure Craft Payment”.
8. Where it asks for a “Business Transaction Number”, enter the “Rotation Number” you would have gotten from your Online Submission and click on “Submit”.
9. Check the “Header tab” to verify the details you submitted and “Summary Tab” to view your pending fees.
10. Lastly, pay online using the payment portal by entering your preferred payment method. (Visa Debit/Credit Card).
11. If you cannot pay online or simply choose to pay in cash, the submission can be paid for upon arrival arranged by the marina where you intend to dock. (Note: A vessel cannot be approved by a Customs Officer until it is paid in full.)
12. After payment you can search for your existing submission by clicking “Search Inbound”. You can then print your “Cruising Permit” by selecting the handle (three dots) and selecting “Print”.

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Required Documents

• Proof of citizenship/Identification for all on board (crew/passengers)
• Vessel Registration/Title

Office Locations & Contacts

Customs Department
Customs House
Thompson Blvd.
P.O. Box N-155
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Email:[email protected]
Phone:(242) – 604-3124
(242) – 604-3125
Fax:(242) – 322-6223
Website: Link
Contact: Link

Eligibility

• Captains sailing pleasure vessels operated for pleasure and recreation only.

Fees

The fee associated with receiving a Temporary Cruising Permit and Fishing Permit is –

• Pleasure Vessels Not Exceeding 34 feet:
  • $150.00 (3 months)
  • $300.00 (12 months)
• Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 34 feet but less than 100 feet:
  • $300.00 (3 months)
  • $600.00 (12 months)
• Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 100 feet but less than 150 feet:
  • $500.00 (3 months)
  • $1,000.00 (12 months)
• Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 150 feet but less than 200 feet:
  • $800.00 (3 months)
  • $1,600.00 (12 months)
• Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 200 feet:
  • $1,000.00 (3 months)
  • $2,000.00 (12 months)

It should be noted that these fees include:

• Cruising Permit fees
• Fishing Permit fees
• Attendance fees for both Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers
• Transportation fees for both Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers
• Re-entry of vessel if within 90 days.

Validity

• The Clearance certificate is valid for twelve months.
• After the twelve month period, the Comptroller, on application in writing, can subsequently renew the Cruising Permit for a fee of BS$500.00 each year up to two years, making a period of stay in The Bahamas, three years in total.
• At the end of the three-year period the vessel must leave the Bahamas or be duty paid.

Documents to Use

Application Form(s)

• Form C2A –Inward Declaration and Application for Cruising Permit
• And Maritime Declaration of Health Form
• Or Link
• And Form C28A: Entry Outward of Pleasure Vessel.

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

At the time of application once all documents are approved.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Instructions

• This process must be completed within 24 hours after arrival into Bahamian waters.
• No passengers or crew are to disembark until the process is completed.

Required Information

• Time of Arrival
• Date of Arrival
• Name of Pilot
• Type of Aircraft
• Country of Registration
• Reg. No.
• Customs Port of Arrival
• From Where
• Number of Crew
• No. of Passengers
• Stores on Board
• List of Arms and Ammunition
• Declaration
• Signature

Need for the Document

Under customs regulation, captains sailing pleasure vessels not carrying cargo and operated for pleasure and recreation only, who are not sailing for reward or remuneration or for business purposes, must provide an inward declaration and apply for a cruising permit in order to sail from island to island within The Bahamas.

Information which might help

Click on the following link for more useful information: Link

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link

Others

More information which might help people.