Natal - Clearance
See Brazil Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of Brazil.
Clearing in:
Contact the Yacht Club (iateclube@iateclubedonatal.com) at least 24 hours before you arrive and ask them to inform immigration of your expected arrival.
There is a form to fill in at the yacht club (for their admin) as well as an online customs form (behind the receptionist’s computer, in your language of choice).
The club can arrange for immigration to meet you at the Passenger Terminal (Terminal Marítimo de Passageiros, 1.5km from the yacht club). If that is not possible then you will need to go by taxi or Uber to the “Superintêndencia Regional de Policia Federal” in Ria Doutor Lauro Pinto (20 minutes away).
Next, visit Customs (Receita Federal), which has many different buildings. The office you need is in an annexe of the Passenger Terminal, accessible via the main entrance of the Passenger Terminal. Ask the guard to show you.
Finally, to the Capitanía dos Portos, just down the road in Rua Chile.
Using the term “Chegamos de veleiro” (“we arrived by sailboat”) will help officials understand what you need.
Clearing out:
For clearing out, you can again ask the Yacht Club to contact the federal police (immigration) to meet you at the Passenger Terminal. If Immigration officials do not have time to do that, you will need take the long taxi ride to their HQ again. The order of authorities is identical to checking in: immigration, customs, port control. Officials are OK with you clearing out the day before you actually leave.
Last updated: August 2023
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Related to following destinations: Brazil, Eastern coast (north of Rio de Janeiro), Natal
Port Navigation
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Yacht Club:
When visited in July 2023, there were no moorings available. We anchored in 12m. The club helps with the clearance procedure. The first two days are free, then 92,50R per day. Showers, wifi, restaurant.
Clearance:
Ask the yacht club (iateclube@iateclubedonatal.com) the day before you arrive to inform immigration (Policia Federal) that you would like to check in the next morning. The club can arrange for immigration to meet you the next morning in the Passenger Terminal (Terminal Marítimo de Passageiros, 1.5km from the yacht club). If that doesn’t work, you need to go by taxi or Uber to the “Superintêndencia Regional de Policia Federal” in Ria Doutor Lauro Pinto (20 min). If you don’t have a local sim card yet, you might want to take an Uber (using the yacht club wifi) to Midway Mall first to buy one at C&A, where they sell them without you needing a local tax number (CPF). The Mall is on the way to the Policia Federal.
Next, visit customs (Receita Federal), which has many different buildings. The office you need is in an annexe of the Passenger Terminal, accessible via the main entrance of the Passenger Terminal. Ask the guard to show you.
Finally, to the Capitanía dos Portos, just down the road in Rua Chile.
“Chegamos de veleiro” (“we arrived by sailboat”) was often enough information for the officials to understand what you needed.
Hi Floris and Ivar – so great to get this useful feedback and to hear from you both again. Guess you are nearing the end of your circumnavigation? Incredible to see you are now in Brazil after all the years of wonderful feedback you’ve been sending Noonsite. Do send us an update on where to next, when you can.
Great service all around. The staff helped a lot with water and fuel pumping into the boat and also provided additional services during our stay, fixed our air conditioning pump and other stuffs inside the boat. Great food and they have the nicest working people in the City of Natal.
Shout out to Thales, Wellington, Bozo and Joka.
In February 2019 we made landfall in Natal and we treated like visiting royalty at Iate Clube do Natal. Both for check in and check out were were driven to the necessary offices and provided with translation help. It was apparent that the officials knew the yacht club personnel.
The Club arranged delivery of clean fuel, brought it to the dock and helped transfer to our tanks. All club facilities were opened for our use. The club even allowed us to use tools we didn’t have on board. On request – we wee driven to the supermarket. The club came out in a tender and showed us where to anchor for the best holding.
Over all a wonderful experience. OBRIGADO.
We spent a week at this marina. Have to say, having spent almost 5 months sailing around Brazil. This club was the worst of the lot. Staff were unfriendly, especially the guy at the club reception. He has the “life owes me” attitude. It’s extremely expensive and out of all the facilities you can use the showers. They have a lovely pool but it’s for SHOW only.
As most yacht clubs this club is situated in the dirty part of Natal. This club left a bitter taste in our mouths. We were 3 boats traveling together.