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St. Barts - Clearance

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St. Barts 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.

Currently, the Caribbean States still do not recognise this digital declaration, so for the time being the clearance certificate must be printed, and taken ashore to an approved clearance point for endorsement. See the list in the Official Boat Guide.

There is no cost for the new online declaration.

Port of Gustavia

The Port of Gustavia also has an online clearance form that must be completed in advance – if possible.

Port of Gustavia Port Authority’s online Clearance Form.

St. Barts Arrival Procedures for Yachts

General Process

Go ashore, and proceed to an official Clearance point as outlined in the Official Boat Guide. Take a printed copy of your clearance certificate to be endorsed.

All vessels arriving in St Barths have to clear in at the Port Captain’s office in Gustavia, even if they are coming from the French side St. Martin, and even if they are French Flagged.

If you have not been able to get online prior to arrival to complete the clearance form, then only the Captain should disembark and go to the clearance point to complete the online form as soon after arrival as possible. 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. Plus your outbound clearance from the last port.

Note:

  • Departure paperwork from your last port (Zarpe) is required to clear-in. If coming from the USVI an exit zarpe is not normally issued, but be sure to request one so you don’t run into problems with the St. Barts’ officials.

St. Barts 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.

If your next port of call requires a zarpe, however, you will need to go ashore to the closest clearance establishment/Capitanerie, and get your clearance papers stamped on departure. 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 French Antilles clearance forms, so have all your paperwork and the official website address at hand, so they can see proof.

If no internet connection available on board, clear out at the Capitainerie during business hours to obtain a clearance certificate.

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.
  • Gustavia Port Website: http://www.portdegustavia.fr/

Last updated: October 2024

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St. Barts was last updated 2 months ago.

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  1. June 11, 2022 at 11:52 AM
    dstraw6332 says:

    Checked in on June 8th, 2022. No request made by Captainaire for information about covid vaccine or negative test. Seems they just stopped caring about Covid, as masks do not exist on the island either.

  2. June 2, 2022 at 9:33 PM
    threesheetssail says:

    “When going from the French side of St. Martin to St. Barts, no outgoing clearance is necessary…”

    Does this mean I could return to St Martin (French) after St Barts without having to clear back in (if I don’t clear out prior to St Barts)?..Don’t want to get in trouble or anything, but it would be convenient not to go all the way back to Marigot (since Oyster Bay is closed).

  3. March 9, 2022 at 3:07 PM
    rmjryost says:

    Customs immigration COVID update: no test required for vaccinated persons. One stop shop for both customs and immigration.

  4. November 1, 2021 at 10:24 PM
    svfernweh says:

    So does anyone know the fees to visit for a US flagged boat with a US captain and a Mexican crew member? 44 CSY PH, 29 tons gross. Tia.

    1. November 22, 2021 at 6:41 PM
      profile photo
      Sue Richards says:

      Hi John, port dues are payable in the main harbour of Gustavia and they are collected by a roving harbour patrol. The daily fees depend on length and location, being lowest if anchoring in the outer harbour, higher in the inner harbour and if coming stern-to the quay. One is charged per night of stay depending on the length of boat. I suggest you contact the Harbor Master for the latest costs – port.de.gustavia@wanadoo.fr

  5. October 14, 2021 at 3:46 PM
    jhicks says:

    The restrictions for travel into and between French Overseas Departments have 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

  6. January 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
    sailingbuganvilia says:

    I need to know if I go from Saint Martin to St Bart (or from St Barth to St Martin) by sailing, I would have to do another PCR Test?? Please help!!

    1. January 20, 2021 at 5:47 PM
      profile photo
      Sue Richards says:

      See https://www.noonsite.com/place/st-martin/formalities/#biosecurity-section
      It is my understanding from the latest arrete (linked to from biosecurity) that a test is required wherever you come from.
      Suggest you email Send to DM Martinique/CROSS AG/chef de quart: fortdefrance.mrcc@developpement-durable.gouv.fr explaining your situation, how long you have been in the French Islands etc. and get the final word from them.

  7. April 29, 2019 at 9:27 PM
    Lynda Lim says:

    On march 9, 2019 we sailed from St. Kitts to St. Bart : after the very bad experience we had with officials from Kitts & Nevis : we arrived in another world :people on Port Gustavia were singing behind the desk welcoming us when we arrived at the front door !!!! we can only recommend Port Gustavia !

  8. February 2, 2016 at 6:26 AM
    Data Entry says:

    The best anchorage is in front of the harbor, just outside you will find a buoy or you can anchor. Be careful about the two southern bays. It is worth renting a motorbike but is very expensive. For dinner Eddies.