St. Barts Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts

Clearance formalities 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.

Port of Gustavia

The Port of Gustavia has an online clearance form that can be completed up to 24 hours in advance – Gustavia Port Online Clearance Form. Make sure you note your clearance number and remember your password.

Customs and Immigration

Additionally, clearance formalities (for all French Antilles islands) should 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. You register for the site, make a profile and fill in vessel and crew information that will be saved for future use for all French Antilles islands. 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 each of 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.

Note: Currently, the Caribbean States 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.

St. Barts Arrival Procedures for Yachts

General Process

The Port Authority should be contacted on VHF Channel 12, two hours prior to arrival. Yachts typically anchor in the outer harbour anchorage unless they have prior arrangements for a marina berth or mooring.

Entry and exit formalities are mandatory for all vessels arriving in St Barths. The captain should proceed to the Port Captain’s office in Gustavia, even if they are coming from the French side of St. Martin, and even if they are French Flagged.

If you completed the online forms, make sure you bring your clearance number and remember your password for the Gustavia specific form. It is recommended that you take in a printed copy (or request a printed copy in the Port Captain’s office) of your French Antilles clearance certificate to be endorsed.

If you have been unable to get online prior to arrival to complete the clearance forms, then the Captain can complete the two online forms in the Port Captain’s office. There is normally a small admin charge (approx. 3 – 5 Euros) for use of the computer.

You will need to bring your signed outbound clearance from the last port, boat registry, all passports, and a crew 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.

Note: Signed departure paperwork from your last port (Zarpe) is required to clear-in. If coming from the USVI an exit zarpe is not normally issued, be sure to request one so you don’t run into problems with the St. Barts’ officials. Gustavia officials have stressed that they require signed departure documents so it is advised to ensure paperwork from other French Antilles islands have been officially endorsed to include a signature.

St. Barts Departure Procedures for Yachts

To clear out of St Barths you need to ensure your departure date is correct in both online forms. The exit declaration can be made up to 24 hours in advance of departure. Again, the captain needs to go into the harbor office to complete the departure formalities. If no internet connection is available on board, outbound clearance paperwork can be completed at the Gustavia Port Captain’s office.

Make sure you have your password and clearance number to clear out on the Gustavia Port Online Clearance Form.

The other online clearance formalities, for all French Antilles islands, are completed here: https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/commencer/declaration-clearance-antilles.

When completing online clearance on arrival, you will be asked your departure date. If you know when you plan to leave the country, then no further procedures may be required. Gustavia typically allows for same day check-in / check-out for very short (1-2 day) stays.

If your next port of call requires a zarpe, you will need to ensure the Gustavia Port Captain’s office stamps your clearance papers. Note: The Caribbean Islands have not yet approved the digital stamp on the French Antilles forms.

Note: Departments of France (St Martin, St Barths, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana) all require you to clear out of one island, before sailing to another.

Useful Information

Harbor Master’s Office:
VHF, channel 12
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, all year
Gustavia Port Website: http://www.portdegustavia.fr/

Last updated: November 2024

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