Heading off to the Bahamas aboard your own boat and want to know all the documents and other things you need to have?
Here’s my checklist . . .
NOTE: This list assumes a US boat, US citizens, coming from the US and going directly to the Bahamas. There may be requirements that I don’t know about for other combinations.
- Passport for each person on board, valid at least 3 months beyond your expected stay in the Bahamas. Read complete requirements, including those for non-US citizens.
- Boat documents for the big boat and dinghy. Original of US Coast Guard documentation and/or state registration, valid throughout the entire period you expect to be in the Bahamas. It’s a good idea to have a couple of copies of each.
- Boat insurance documents. Some marinas may require proof of at least liability insurance. I can’t find that proof of insurance is required for entry into the Bahamas but it’s always a good idea to have it.
- Pet import permit. If you have a pet onboard, you need a permit. Read how to get it in this post and be sure to note the new address that is different from what is printed on the form. (You are still technically required to have a permit for pets – such as cats – that won’t leave the boat and one will definitely be required if you should have to fly out for any reason, such as an emergency at home or medical issue that can’t be treated in the Bahamas.)
- US Customs decal. Boats 30 feet or longer in length must pay an annual fee of $27.50 for a border crossing decal (also called a “user fee decal” by the government; cruisers just call it the “customs decal.”) You need the number from this on your return to the US (or US territory, such as Puerto Rico or the USVI). Get it online here. It must be renewed every year (no need to renew if you’re not out of the US). The sticker will be mailed to you, which can take some time. All you really need is the number, which will be emailed to you within a day or two of your online purchase. NEW: you can now get it as part of signing up for the ROAM app — read more about that here.
- VHF/SSB license & MMSI number. You need a US license to operate (transmit) your VHF and SSB in the Bahamas. The MMSI number for your VHF – important for emergency transmissions – also needs to be an “international” number issued by the FCC. The MMSI numbers issued by BoatUS do not qualify; however, if you already have one from Boat US, it’s a real pain to switch – you generally have to send the radio back to the manufacturer. Get your US Ship’s Radio License and MMSI number here – information is on this page, with the links to forms about one-third of the way down the page. (It takes a while to get the paper licenses, but you can get the license number and other info online in just a couple of days; a printout of this is sufficient.)
- Ham radio. If you have a ham radio, you must receive a Bahamas reciprocal license to use your ham radio in the Bahamas (even for email). Allow at least 2 months for processing. Send a copy of your US license, copy of your birth certificate or passport photo page, $25 international money order and a letter requesting a reciprocal license to:
Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box N.4860
Nassau, Bahamas
It’s always best to send by FedEx, UPS or DHL. US Mail is extremely slow to reach the Bahamas. If your shipping company questions you, no, there are no ZIP codes or postal codes in the Bahamas.
- EPIRB. Make sure it’s registered and that the batteries test good. It won’t do you any good if it’s not registered. (This is a safety item, not a legal requirement.)
- Q Flag and Bahamas courtesy flag. You need a Q flag prior to checking in (read more about it here) and a Bahamian courtesy flag after. A Bahamian courtesy flag typically lasts 6 weeks to 2 months before it just fades out or becomes too tattered. It’s disrespectful to the Bahamians to fly one in poor condition. Take a sufficient number with you – they’re more expensive in the Bahamas and can be hard to find.
- ROAM app. The old SVRS and Local Boater Option programs have been discontinued, replaced by the ROAM app for checking back into the US. The CBP ROAM app can be used by citizens of any nation aboard small boats flagged in any nation — it is not only for US citizens or US boats. No need to check in anywhere in person! Read all about it here — it’s quick to set up and can be done anywhere that you have an internet connection.
- Bahamas check-in forms (optional). Downloading and printing your forms is a time-saver once you’re in the Bahamas, as sometimes you have to go to a different office to get them and sometimes you get charged for them (we anchored out off south Bimini for check-in and had to purchase the forms from a marina as the airport customs and immigration officer didn’t have them).
Each person aboard must complete an Immigration Arrival Card. It is not available online, but both it and the customs form can be obtained from The Bahamas Tourist Office in Plantation, Florida. Phone: 954-236-9292. They will mail the forms to you.
- Fishing. Your Bahamas cruising permit will include a fishing permit. Learn about bag limits, seasons and more here. Read about ciguatera, a nasty fish-borne illness, here or listen to a podcast about it here.
NOTE: Legal requirements can always change and I make no guarantees about this list having absolutely everything.
Making Boat Life Better
Anonymous says
A very helpful list but I’m assuming if you are a non-US boat you don’t need a US license to operate VHF in the Bahamas. One from our country of registration would be ok?
The Boat Galley says
I believe that’s the case. Requirements can vary according to the boat and people’s nationality.
Anonymous says
Thanks!
Jane Hubbard says
Very informative…as always! Thank you!
Anonymous says
Jerry Orm
Anonymous says
Tyre Gill
Lisa Carruthers says
Great info!
Thank you!
One question, we have alcohol on board as a matter of routine. Is it a problem to bring “ships stores” of liquor in and out of Bahamas.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem with it, and many boats head over with 10 to 20 cases of beer as it’s so expensive in the Bahamas. You might want to tuck it in lockers, but truly I’ve never heard of anyone even being asked about it.
Donna Blaszcak says
Thank you again Carolyn. Unfortunately, when I tried to ship the HAM license via UPS, they told me I had to send via USPS because there was only a PO box # – I will probably be back here before I get it : (
Alexa says
Love this! Do you have a checklist for Mexico? 😁
Carolyn Shearlock says
No I don’t, but let me check in with some friends and see if I can put one together!
Paul says
Looks like an updated SVRS is up and running
Steve Tudor says
I looked on your site for information about vaccinations before traveling but didn’t see anything (you have pets well covered!). If any U.S. residents are interested the CDC has a thorough and informative site at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destination Thanks for a wonderful and informative website. I have learned a lot just reading it.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes, I couldn’t begin to keep a list up to date. The CDC one is what I always refer to.
Danielle Palmer says
Hi Carolyn,
Your website has been a wealth of knowledge for us. Thanks so much for sharing the information. We used the Bahamas Pet Import website with fantastic results. We uploaded the permit application on Monday and received the approved permit back on Thursday of the same week! The communication from Wellington was excellent and we saved money using his service. Thanks again for doing our homework for us! 🙂
Kirk and Danielle
M/V Sea Horse
Merri Purdy says
I would like to know if you have a specific checklist of food items that are NOT allowed into the Bahamas. We will be crossing from Florida within the next few days and recently discovered it may not be possible to bring fresh fruits, veggies or dairy into the country. Can you enhance our understanding of what we can or CANNOT bring with us?
Carolyn Shearlock says
It is very rare to actually be inspected at check-in. The official Bahamas website do not mention any restirctions: https://www.bahamas.com/faq/enteringexiting-policies
Noonsite says that you cannot bring meat and meat products except for your own consumption so you should be fine there. None of the other reputable sources that I checked mentioned any restriction on foods brought in, as long as they are for your own consumption. I’m on several Bahamas cruising groups in Florida and Marathon is a major staging area for crossing to the Bahamas and I have not heard of anyone having a problem with any food they’ve taken. I’m not making any guarantees, but simply have not heard of anyone having a problem or even being asked. Just say that everything on board is for your own consumption.
Beth says
Thanks very much for the helpful checklist list. I have two comments. 1) We usually inform our credit cards that we are going to a new state/country. There have been occasions where Chase has shut down our card out of fraud concern when a charge suddenly pops up in a new place. This can be very inconvenient. Often the notificationcan be done within an app or online. 2) With respect to pet imports, I want to thank you for mentioning the services of Wellington Saunders. We used him for import permits for two dogs just a couple of weeks ago and he was awesome. What a terrific service! We will definitely use him again.
Sal crosby says
In addition to BTC for cell service, we have found Aliv service to be easier to use and you may also set up auto renew which we do monthly. In addition, calls to USA and Canada are included in your minutes.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’d love to try Aliv, but they don’t have any offices in Bimini it the Berries, and Mr. Sim Card doesn’t work with them to get a card in the US.
Tammy says
I would like to create a checklist of items I will need to insure I take with me if I need to make an emergency flight back to the U.S. while in the Bahamas on our personal sailboat. The only items I have confirmed is my passport, copy of cruising permit and itinerary/proof of return ticket. Is there anything else you may be aware of? Thank you in advance.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Be sure to take your immigration card with you to the airport when you fly out — you’ll have to turn it in at the airport. If you have a pet, be sure to take all their documents, too.
Anonymous says
Thanks for all the great information, Carolyn. We have cruised the Bahamas for the past 2 1/2 months with our canine companion and your advice has been invaluable. It’s time now to leave The Bahamas and the question arises…do we need to officially Exit the islands and turn in our immigration cards? If we do not officially Exit, will this affect our Entry into the US? We are a Canadian couple on a Canadian registered sail boat returning to a Florida port. As a side note, when we entered the US from Canada we were told we did not require a decal because we were sailing a US-built boat. Could you also comment on the decal, please?
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can mail the immigration cards if you don’t officially check out (and many people forget to mail them and it doesn’t seem to hurt anything).
I don’t know anything about not needing the decal since the boat is US-built as I’m American. I have no idea on the requirements for Canadians. However, if someone does decide you need the sticker, you should be able to just pay for it then.