Bahamas Islands Customs and Immigration Information
Bahamas Customs requires the following:
Vessel's Registration
Completion of the Maritime
Declaration Form
Completion of the Inward Report Form
All visitors entering The Bahamas must make a customs declaration upon arrival. Adult visitors are allowed to bring in 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits and personal effects.
Bahamas Immigration* requires the following:
Completion of Inward Passenger
& Crew Manifest form
Completion of an Immigration Card for each person arriving on the vessel.
Entry as a tourist requires proof of citizenship for residents of North America and most nations. Note: A driver's license is not proof of citizenship. All visitors must provide a passport or a birth certificate (original or copy with raised seal), plus photo identification for entry into the country.
*As of January 23rd, all US citizens are required to have a valid US Passport to travel to and from The Bahamas. Call the Bahamas Tourist Office at 1-800-BAHAMAS or CLICK HERE for more information.
Arrival:
Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. The Cape Eleuthera Marina is an officially designated Port of Entry. As you enter port, fly the yellow quarantine flag and have our dock master 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. US citizens can present a passport or birth certificate. A driver's license by itself is not acceptable. 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.
Upon arriving in The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an Immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. An oral baggage declaration is required.
Before leaving The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit.
Entry Fees
The fee for boats up to 35 feet is 0.00 and the fee for boats over 35 feet is 0. These fees are inclusive of a cruising permit, fishing permit and departure tax for up to four persons. Each additional person will be charged departure tax.
Firearms 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.
Bringing your Pet
An Import Permit is required for all animals being brought into The Bahamas. These are available in advance for a fee for each animal. Contact our marina staff for more information or write to The Director of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, P.O. Box N-3704 Nassau, Bahamas, Tel: (242) 325-7502. Dogs and cats must be six months of age and have current proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate.
Replacement Parts Spare parts and replacement boat parts may be imported into The Bahamas duty free, as long as the boat they are intended for has a cruising permit and transire (issued upon entrance into The Bahamas). Equipment shipped imported as cargo, will be subject to a six percent stamp duty based on the value of the parts. Invoices for imported goods are required in all cases.
