Customs and Immigration for the Bahamas
Boats entering the Bahamas are required to clear customs and immigration as soon as practical. You are not allowed to go ashore until you have cleared customs and the yellow quarantine flag must be flown to indicate that the boat has not been cleared. Clearance must be a first priority! Only the captain is allowed to leave the boat until paperwork is completed. Required documents include:
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Boat's registration certificate
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Passports or birth certificates (US citizens only) with photo ID for each person on board
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Import permits for any pets on board you must fill out and mail in the request (click here for the form) import domestic animals. It should be done at least 6 weeks in advance of your trip.
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Firearms must have a valid permit and be kept under lock and key while in the Bahamas
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A 12 month cruising and fishing permit is a flat $100 cash only fee
After clearing customs the quarantine flag is removed and the Bahamian courtesy flag should be flown from the starboard spreader or nearest equivalent.
Quarantine flag Bahamian Courtesy flag
You will also need a "User Fee Decal." as Customs requires all US vessels returning from a foreign country to have this decal when you return to the states.
https://tradelinks4.mellon.com/cbp/Dispatcher
On your return, as soon as you reach your home port in the US, you must call the US Customs to report your return. You can report in at any of the following telephone numbers below:
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1-800-432-1216
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1-800-451-0393
