French Guiana 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 simple and easy form to fill in. Here you can register for the site, make a profile and fill in vessel and crew information that will be saved for future use. It takes a maximum of 10 minutes and you get your clearance papers sent to your e-mail instantly.

This 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 3-5 Euros).

See the Official Boat Guide (in French) for a list of all clearance points.

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.

There is no cost for the new online declaration.

Note:

Cruisers report that Customs do not need to see you on arrival, nor physically stamp/endorse the clearance certificate (even though the official website suggests it does). However, on departure, it’s advisable to go ashore and get the clearance certificate stamped/endorsed by a Customs officer, so you have an official zarpe for your next country of call – as the French Antilles digital declaration is currently not recognised by other Caribbean States. See the list of clearance points in the Official Boat Guide.

Health

French Guiana is considered a yellow-fever-infected area. Vaccination against yellow-fever is mandatory for all arriving travellers aged 1 year or over. This vaccine is valid for life and must be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in French Guiana. See the Health section for more advice.

Ports of Entry

Ports of Entry (with clearance points) are listed on Noonsite under “Explore country” and the Main Ports anchor symbol.

The marina at Degrad des Cannes closed down in 2020, plus the anchorage in the Kourou River is still full of mud with bad holding and multiple boats dragging. Therefore probably the best port for clearing into the country is Saint Laurent du Maroni which has a very yacht-friendly marina and authorities on-site.

If undertaking inward clearance online for which you receive approval – then it is not mandatory to arrive in a port of entry.

French Guiana Arrival Procedures for Yachts

Upon arrival, vessels should fly the French courtesy flag, plus the Q flag.

If you have not been able to get online prior to arrival to complete the clearance form, then go ashore at a Port of Entry to complete the form with Customs. Only the Captain should disembark and go to the clearance point as soon after arrival as possible, as outlined in the Official Boat Guide.

Clearance points are not only Capitaneries, they are often in chandleries, marinas, restaurants and tourist offices. There is normally a small admin charge (approx. 3 – 5 Euros) for use of the computer.

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.

French Guiana Departure Procedures for Yachts

When completing online clearance on arrival, you will be asked your departure date. If you leave the country on the same date stated on arrival, then no further procedures are required.

However, it should be noted that the French Antilles digital declaration is currently not recognised by other Caribbean States. Therefore, to avoid problems at your next country of call (assuming it’s not the French Antilles), it’s recommended to visit Customs prior to departure and get a printed copy of the clearance certificate stamped/endorsed by a Customs officer. See the list of clearance points in the Official Boat Guide.

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.

Last updated:  October 2024

Read Related Comments

If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).

Explore Country

• Info
• Formalities
• Main Ports
• Comments
• Downloads

---

Offline Access (Downloads)

Select your download option below

This feature is only available to Premium members. You need to Login or Register to access port and formalities downloads.

---

Special Offers for Noonsite Members

This feature is only available to Basic and Premium members. You need to Login or Register to access special offers.