The process for recreational craft and their crew arriving in a international port is often more complex than international air travel, so understandably, the thought of casting off the dock lines and venturing abroad can feel a little daunting.
Noonsite.com have recently put together the following top tips for American Sailing to help owners and their crew prepare for and carry out international clearance:
✓ Make sure your boat registration is up to date and will be in date for the duration of your time abroad. If you need to renew it, be sure to do this early so there is no lapse in coverage. Boat registration renewal can mostly be done online. If you boat registration has expired you will be denied entry into a foreign country and risk legal consequences.
✓ Plan ahead well in advance, particularly for visas and/or cruising permits if needed, some can take many weeks to obtain. You can find out which documents you will need on Noonsite.com
✓ Always make sure you get an exit zarpe showing the date and port of departure when you clear out of your home country and any subsequent countries. The authorities in the next country you visit will want to see this.
✓ Do your research - do you need to complete any pre-arrival notifications or paperwork prior to arrival.
✓ Do you need an Agent? Some countries you want to visit may demand you use an agent. Others it is optional, do you feel you need one? This will have to be arranged in advance.
✓ Know the ports of entry in the country you want to visit and determine the best one for you. You can only 'clear in' at these designated ports.
✓ Have some foreign currency for paying for clearance – there may not be banks near the port of entry or arrival officials may not permit you to visit an ATM to get money.
✓ Fly the Q flag when entering the territorial waters of the foreign country and don’t take this down until you have completed Customs clearance. It should then be replaced with the country courtesy flag.
✓ Prepare to visit Customs, Immigration, Port Authority and in some ports Quarantine/Biosecurity. You may be lucky and all the authorities will be housed in one building, or you may have to travel all over town by foot or taxi to visit all the offices.
✓ Enquire about fees and what you are expected to pay on arrival, and any on departure, and be sure to get a receipt. You may find you can clear in and out at the same time, depending on how long you intend to stay.
✓ Dress smartly for clearance and be courteous and patient. Clearance can take anything from half an hour to all day or even several days – depending on the country.
✓ Get a boat stamp – with your boat name/logo and your registration number/homeport etc. This can speed up signing documents and officials love a boat stamp.
✓ Keep all the clearance paperwork and receipts carefully filed away, you may be stopped by the local Coast Guard or marine police once cruising in foreign waters who will want to inspect your entry clearance and boat documents.
✓ Remember all foreign countries have a time limit as to how long you can stay – both for your crew and your boat. Know how long you and your boat have and plan your cruising accordingly. Research the options to extend your stay prior to arrival.
For smooth clearances, make sure you have done your homework well in advance of departing your home port, give yourself plenty of time to apply for visas as appropriate, identify agents where required, and complete pre arrival notifications and paperwork in good time.
Remember for Caribbean cruising you will need to register with www.sailclear.com