Martinique - Clearance
Martinique Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Customs and Immigration
Clearance formalities, mandatory for the entry and exit of pleasure craft coming from/going to a foreign port, foreign maritime area or the high seas and entering/departing the French Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin and French Guiana) have been modified as of September 1, 2024, in accordance with the prefectural decree of August 5, 2024.
Clearance formalities must be completed by all boaters electronically on the following website:
https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/declaration-clearance-antilles.
This is a basic website, which requires you to create a password and register. If you have trouble accessing it, you may need to use a VPN to connect to a European IP. The password has to be 12 characters and can’t be a word or consecutive characters, capital letters nor non-alpha characters. You then have to make a profile and fill in vessel and crew information that will be saved for future use. Some of the site and prompts are in French (even when you select the English version).
You will be asked to enter your arrival date/time and your departure date/time. If your departure is within a week of your arrival, you do not need to log-in and complete a departure declaration.
Once you enter your information and submit for clearance you will receive an email with your clearance certificate and a digital stamp from French Customs. No payment is required, or face-to-face visit with the authorities.
The completed declaration can be either:
1. Kept digitally, or
2. Printed out and stamped by Customs (if you need a hard copy to show at your next port of call).
It should be noted that currently, the other Caribbean States still do not recognise this digital declaration from the French Antilles, so for the time being the clearance certificate should be printed, and taken ashore to an approved clearance point for endorsement (for a cost of 5 Euros), so it is seen as an official exit zarpe. See the Official Boat Guide (in French) for a list of all clearance points.
Completion of the declaration can be done prior to arrival/landing in the French Antilles, however, in the absence of internet on board can be completed at any clearance establishment/Capitanerie on land (for a cost of 5 Euros).
Ports of Entry
Ports of Entry (with clearance points) are listed on Noonsite under “Explore country” and the Main Ports anchor symbol. The Official Boat Guide also has a list.
Martinique Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Upon arrival, vessels should fly the French courtesy flag (not the Martinique one).
If you have successfully completed the arrival declaration online prior to arrival and received your digital copy, there is no face-to-face visit with the authorities required (unless of course you want a printed copy of the declaration endorsed by Customs).
If, however, you have not completed clearance forms in advance of arrival, be sure to fly the Q flag and proceed to a port of entry. Go ashore and proceed to an official clearance point as outlined in the Official Boat Guide, where you can use their computers to complete the form and get it printed out for endorsement. Only the Captain should disembark and go to the clearance point to complete the online form as soon after arrival as possible.
Clearance points are not only Capitaneries, they are often in chandleries, marinas, restaurants and tourist offices. There is normally a small admin charge (5 Euros) for use of the computer/printing of forms.
You will need to bring your boat registry and passports of the crew or a list with details of all crew members: nationalities, name and surname, passport numbers, date and place of birth.
- For Customs rules for yachts see the Customs section.
- For Immigration/visa rules for yacht crew see the Immigration section.
Martinique Departure Procedures for Yachts
When completing online clearance on arrival, you will be asked your departure date. If this is less than a week from your arrival then no further procedures are required.
If you have stayed longer than a week in Martinique – you will need to log back into the system and complete a departure declaration. Again, if your next port of call requires a zarpe, print out the declaration and go ashore to Customs to get the exit zarpe endorsed officially (cost 5 Euros).
The Caribbean Islands have not yet approved the digital stamp. Be aware that the next country you visit may not yet have seen the new Martinique clearance forms, so have all your paperwork for Martinique and the official website address at hand, so they can see proof.
Note: Departments of France (St Martin, St Barths, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana) all require you to clear out of one, before sailing to another.
Contacts:
CROSS-AG
The Regional Operational Centre for Surveillance and Rescue Antilles-Guyana
Coordinates search and rescue operations at sea in a vast area in the Caribbean, including helicopter rescues.
E-mail: antilles@mrccfr.eu
Ph: 00 596 (0) 5.96.70.92.92 or 196 (if calling from Martinique)
Ph: 00 596 696 82 09 97 (WhatsApp)
VHF: 16
Resources:
- https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/
- French Antilles Cruiser Information (Facebook Group)
Last updated: December 2024
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We spent a large amount of time in Martinique. Although at times it was hard to find someone who spoke english, we still did okay by using Google Translate. We covered about 10 anchorages. so for the full details, see our blogs here.
Sainte Anne – so much to do here – https://bluedotvoyages.com/discovering-natural-beauty-sainte-anne-martinique/
Other anchorages – https://bluedotvoyages.com/martinique-seven-sailing-anchorages-from-saint-pierre-to-grand-anse/
Does anyone know where packages can be shipped to in Le Marin?
Cruisers can get parts/spares shipped to Marin Marina Office. You can find the address below. Any cruiser can use this service, it’s not just for marina clients. Be sure to pay the customs fee online or leave an envelope with cash on the marina reception desk so they can collect the parcel when it arrives.
When the parcel arrives, it is stored in a dedicated corner with the number attached to it. You are welcome to call/write email the marina [contact@marina-martinique.fr] to be sure the parcel has arrived before heading to pick it up.
The address for parcels :
Name Surname
Name of the boat
Contact phone no. (if you have one)
La Capitainerie du Marin
Bassin Tortue
97290 Le Marin
Martinique
Any recommendations of where to get parts shipped into?
See above.
Contact info for mooring balls Fort saint- Louis please
Hello, last we heard there were visitor moorings available in this bay in Fort de France, however we have no booking information. It’s simply a matter of turn up and see if there is one available. Alternatively anchor. More info. at https://www.noonsite.com/place/martinique/fort-de-france/view/docking/. Please do feed back info. via comments if you visit Fort de France.
What are the requirements for entering Martinique by sea as of April 21, 2022?
Hi Fred, thanks for your question. Full details are here – https://www.noonsite.com/place/martinique/formalities/#biosecurity-section. I’ve reviewed the Government website (best source for updates: https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/Les-transports/COVID-19-Deplacements-en-provenance-et-a-destination-de-la-Martinique-a-compter-du-1er-Avril-2022) and nothing has changed except on-island restrictions have eased this month. Basically it depends where you are coming from. If you are vaccinated, you are pretty clear to come in with no issues unless you are coming from a colour-coded country (there’s a link to the list in biosecurity). Then you need a pre-test. If you are not vaccinated it’s not so easy to get in. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Thanks Sue. We are working our way to St Kitts. Noonsite really helpful.
Good to hear Fred! Do keep the feedback coming – every little bit helps! Fair winds.
The. restrictions for travel into and between French Overseas Departments has now been lifted (Oct 14, 2021). If this article is accurate, all you need is proof of vaccination.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/compelling-reasons-for-travel-lifted-between-french-islands
There is a lockdown since 29/10 00:00
More information on:
http://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/COVID-19-nouvelles-mesures-attestations-recommandations-points-de-situation
There is a very good welding shop in the marina of Le Marin. The name is INOXALU and they are specialized in Biminis and arches. We were really very satisfied! You can contact them on +596 696 17 67 02
Please correct that : « Only EU Boats with EU citizens on board are authorized to anchor in Martinique. » and for other French islands. The official last décret text, own one article about passenger ship mentioning nationalities concern, the next one concerning pleasure ship mention only flag concern. Thanks to correct because is very anxiously for us, we are a French flag with French and Vénézuela citizen… we was afraid to be oblige to remain for couple of month, or years, who know, at sea on the international waters!
If you’re looking for someone to repair your fridge we highly recommend Pascal from Nautic Froid. Very professional, knows his stuff! Also reasonably priced. You can contact him on +596 696 22 71 13
If you need mechanical/engine help we can really recommend the Swedish guy Igor who lives on his boat Mistral in Marin. We had problems with our engine and Igor helped us to fix the problem. He definitely knew what he was doing and he solved the problem within a few hours. An extra plus for the reasonable cost and his excellent sense of humour. To get in contact with Igor call him on +4672-870 02 29.
Be careful sailing the east coast (especially northeast coast). We saw many strings of fishing buoys tied up with a floating line. It is nearly impossible to see these buoys from afar due to the swell. Steer clear of them!!!! We were offshore at least 3 nm.
Thanks for this info. He is exactly what we are looking for to fix our Yamaha outboard. Barbara Gladney, s/v Destiny
Be careful when approaching Anse Arlet and Grand Anse Arlet …. there are a very large number of fishing buoys out there. I only mention it for these bays in particular as the bouys are actually clear pop bottles and are virtually impossible to see in anything but very bright sunlight and small waves.
Le Marin:
If you are in Marin to have something fixed and need professional help, I warmly recommend Igor. He is Swedish, lives on his boat in Marin, and is able to fix anything, and does not change much. He is working so he can keep sailing, and he is very good at both. He fixed our outboard engine when the Honda workshop had given up, and we had too. Now it’s running like it never did before. Igor has been a mechanic for 15 years, has many stories to tell, and can be found on his boat “Mistral”, close to the Leader Price and of Marin.
While a decent enough mechanic Igor is untrustworthy. I sent him £500 for a ticket to antigua to help me skipper my boat. He said he arrived at the airport and they wouldn’t let his dog on the flight and then decided I owed him the money (I didn^t) and was therefore just going to keep the money. Do not trust this man, get job done and then pay.
Whilst crossing the channel between Martinique and Saint Lucia, a whale passed under my catamaran and struck the left hull, causing a tear below the water line. Talking with the harbour master, it is the third collision since December. Be careful.
Propane tank: Be aware that you cannot fill your propane/LPG tank in Martinique: You can only exchange it. We ended up buying a Campingaz tank (little blue tank, 3 kg) and regulator…
when arriving from the South Saint Anne’s bay is very convenient. Go ashore here and check in at Snack Bou Bou just beside the church. Be careful at the dinghy pontoon, your dinghy will disappear underneath so use a stern anchor or lift the front out to prevent it from sliding under. The Marina Le Marin located in Cul De Sac is good. Stern-to pontoon with buoys at the bow. Marina staff will help with this. Spacing is generally good. Frequent squalls and wind are typical in Martinique, but the surroundings are nice. Plenty of live-aboard yacht people who tend to work in and around the marine facilities.
The Carinage (haul out area) has just been renewed and has three cranes and brand new concrete base. Recommend this for renewing your antifoul or getting repairs done. Good selection of chandlers in the area, prices are reasonable compared to Grenadines. In fact, the whole island is a class above all islands south of here. Good supermarkets and restaurants.
Fort de France Dinghy Issue
We were (10th June 2015) anchored in Fort de France and made an arrangement with two other cruisers to meet ashore for a picnic. We were last to arrive and whilst approaching the dinghy dock saw three local youths aged about 18 untie our friend’s dinghy and kick it free. The wind was blowing offshore and we retrieved the dinghy on our way in. The three youths saw us tie the dinghy up and in a threatening manner told us to keep quiet. Please ensure your dinghys are locked to the dock and take care in this city.
Clearance at Petite Bateaux in Grand Anse is no longer available, however, clearance at Cyberbase (an internet cafe)in a container-like building on the waterfront at Les Anses D’Arlet is available.