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Caribbean Customs & Immigration Clearance for Cruisers
Caribbean Customs & Immigration Clearance for Cruising Couples
An overview of what to expect when clearing in/out of Caribbean islands by yacht, based on typical cruiser experience. Rules change often — always verify with the current Noonsite page for each country before arrival.
1. Online Pre-Clearance Services
The two main free online systems covering much of the Eastern Caribbean are:
- SailClear (sailclear.com) — used by Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, BVI, Anguilla, Montserrat, and others.
- eSeaClear (eseaclear.com) — the older system, still used by some islands (overlaps with SailClear in several).
Other island-specific systems exist:
- SailPass — St. Lucia
- ROAM (CBP app) — USVI, Puerto Rico
- Bahamas Click2Clear — Bahamas
- Separate health/immigration portals that occasionally come and go (e.g., post-COVID travel authorizations).
Time to Fill Out Online
| Task | Typical Time for a Couple |
|---|
| First-time account setup (vessel + crew profile) | 20–40 minutes |
| Subsequent clearances (data saved) | 5–15 minutes |
| Uploading documents, last port, ETA | ~5 minutes |
Processing Time
Submission is usually processed on arrival, not in advance. You still show up with the confirmation number/printout. The online form mainly saves the officer's data-entry time, making your in-person visit faster (often 10–30 minutes instead of 45–90).
2. Do You Still Have to Go In Person?
Yes, in almost all islands. Online pre-clearance speeds up the counter visit but does not replace it. You typically must physically appear at:
- Customs
- Immigration
- Port Authority (sometimes)
- Health / Marine Police (occasionally)
Exceptions / newer trends:
- USVI / Puerto Rico (ROAM app): often a video call, no in-person visit needed for eligible travelers.
- Bahamas Click2Clear: mostly digital; some ports still want a quick visit.
- Some small islands allow the captain only to come ashore for clearance, sparing the crew.
3. Typical Clearance Fees (as of 2024)
Fees vary by vessel length, number of crew, season, length of stay, and whether it's a weekend/after-hours arrival. Approximate in-and-out totals for a ~45 ft yacht with 2 crew:
| Country | Typical Total (in + out) | Notes |
|---|
| Antigua & Barbuda | US $70–$150 | Cruising permit based on LOA & duration |
| St. Martin / Sint Maarten | US $10–$40 | Very cheap; one of the easiest |
| BVI | US $30–$75 + cruising tax ~$4/person/day high season | Cruising permit required |
| USVI | US $25–$30 decal + small user fee | ROAM app for entry |
| St. Lucia | US $35–$75 | SailPass required |
| Dominica | US $30–$60 | PAYS moorings extra |
| Martinique / Guadeloupe | €5–€15 | Self-clear kiosks at chandleries |
| Grenada | US $35–$75 | Plus monthly cruising permit |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | US $40–$120 | Fees higher in Tobago Cays Marine Park |
| Bahamas | US $150 (≤35 ft) or $300 (>35 ft) | Covers 90-day cruising permit & fishing permit for 2 |
| Dominican Republic | US $50–$150 | Despacho needed between ports |
| Cuba | US $55–$75 + nightly marina | More paperwork-heavy |
Overtime / weekend surcharges commonly add US $25–$100. Plan arrivals for weekday working hours when possible.
4. Island Cruising Fees — Can You Pay Online?
Increasingly, yes — but not universally.
- SailClear & SailPass: Some islands (St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua) now accept online card payment as part of the submission. Others still want cash (USD or local currency) at the counter.
- Marine park fees (Tobago Cays, BVI National Parks Trust, Bonaire Marine Park, Saba Marine Park) — often payable online in advance or via park rangers on arrival.
- Bahamas: Click2Clear accepts online credit card payment for the full permit fee.
- USVI: ROAM is free; national park fees paid separately online.
Typical cruising/park fees range from US $5–$15 per night for marine parks, and US $20–$100 for a monthly national cruising permit.
5. Is the Process Getting Faster or Slower?
Generally faster, with a few caveats:
- COVID accelerated digitization: SailClear adoption spread, new portals appeared, and officers are more used to pre-filled forms.
- ROAM (US) and Click2Clear (Bahamas) have dramatically reduced in-person clearance time in those jurisdictions.
- However, fees have risen almost everywhere in the last 5 years, and some islands added new charges (environmental levies, health fees).
- Island infrastructure inconsistency remains: systems occasionally go offline, and some officers still prefer paper forms even when the online system exists.
- Smaller islands without regular IT staff can still be slow — a half-day visit is possible.
Practical Tips for a Cruising Couple:
- Create SailClear and eSeaClear accounts before leaving home — your vessel profile, documents, and crew photos will be stored.
- Keep PDFs on your phone: vessel documentation, insurance, passports, last clearance (Zarpe), crew list.
- Carry US cash in small bills — many island officers still won't take cards.
- Arrive during business hours Monday–Friday to avoid overtime fees.
- Clear OUT properly before leaving — the next country will ask for your outbound clearance paper.
- Check Noonsite.com for country-specific updates a week before arrival.
Budgeting Rule of Thumb: For a cruising couple island-hopping the Eastern Caribbean, budget US $600–$1,200 per year in clearance and cruising-permit fees, plus marine park fees wherever you anchor. Time-wise, expect to spend 1–3 hours per clear-in including the walk ashore, and 15–30 minutes to prepare online in advance.
6. Special Note for Your Seastead
Your trimaran-like platform with a 70 ft length and ~35 ft beam will be classified as a yacht/vessel for clearance purposes, but some islands charge by LOA (length overall) or by beam. At ~35 ft beam you may occasionally trigger "commercial" or "special craft" fees. Also, unusual hull forms sometimes prompt extra questions. Have ready:
- Proof of registration/flag
- Insurance certificate (many marinas and some countries require it)
- A one-page description with photos — officers appreciate clarity on unusual vessels.
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