Customs Information

The following was taken from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website. http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/index.aspx

Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. No one other than the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared.

Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. U.S. citizens can present a passport or birth certificate (original or certified copy) and an official photo I.D., such as a driver's license or voter's card. 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, you must declare it with Customs. You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely.

Entry Fees

The fee for boaters for boats up to 35 feet is $150.00 and the fee for boats over 35 feet is $300. These fees are inclusive of a cruising permit, fishing permit and departure tax for up to four persons with no overtime charges for Customs or Immigration. Each additional person above four will be charged additional departure tax.

Regular hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on call during holidays and weekends. There is no overtime charge.

Download Customs Forms here to facilitate your entry into the Bahamas