St. Barts - Clearance
St. Barts Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Customs and Immigration clearance for the French Antilles has gone online. Note: In-person clearance remains required for Gustavia.
Find out full details in this explanatory document compiled by Noonsite – French Antilles Clearance for Yachts.
- For Customs rules for yachts see the Customs section.
- For Immigration/visa rules for yacht crew see the Immigration section.
Port of Gustavia
The Port of Gustavia has an additional required 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.
General Process for Gustavia
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.
In-person 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.
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
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.
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 and full details of the process are in this report – French Antilles Clearance for Yachts.
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: April 2025
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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.
“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).
Customs immigration COVID update: no test required for vaccinated persons. One stop shop for both customs and immigration.
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.
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
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
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!!
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.
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 !
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.