What do I have to do to clear US customs to go to Bimini? Are there any papers to fill out? Do I need to clear out? What are the papers other, than registration, that I need for Bahamian customs? Any info. or links are appreciated. It looks like a good weather window opens up next week! Thanks in advance. Billy C.
clearing customs to Bahamas
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The United States does not require for anyone to clear out when leaving the country but you do have to clear in when you return or arrive. The Bahamas does not require you to clear out either. Check the regulations as there are a few options for chacking in on your return.
Getting into The Bahamas is easy. The Ports of Entry have the paperwork. You need $150.00 ($300 if vessel over 35')and a passport.
Getting back into the US easyier requires a recreational boat customs sticker which you have purchased before you left(last yrs sticker was $30). Pre registration with Customs is called Local Boater Option. It may just be for Fl boaters. But never the less, when you return to the US you call customs, give them your sticker #, they give you a clearance # and then you proceed to the closest customs office for you and your crew to physically check in. Bob
Getting back into the US easyier requires a recreational boat customs sticker which you have purchased before you left(last yrs sticker was $30). Pre registration with Customs is called Local Boater Option. It may just be for Fl boaters. But never the less, when you return to the US you call customs, give them your sticker #, they give you a clearance # and then you proceed to the closest customs office for you and your crew to physically check in. Bob
Customs & Bimini
You should also download the Bimini/Bahamas entry paperwork or you will be completing this at the port in Bimini (I'm heading into Bimini Bay and this was recommended...customs officer on-site). It's about four pages of assorted information (port inward/outward info, your info, vessel info, manifest and a declaration page). They get specific about firearms & ammo, and consumables aboard.
As the other post suggested, once you have your decal (posted 18" from the hatch/entry of your vessel) you can call-in upon entry back into the US and passports are the order of the day. Goodluck.
Getting ready to sail from the Keys to Bimini this year. Yes you have to pre-register, unless you want to sail into a customs port in the US, by purchasing a US Customs/Border Protection Decal. Everything is on-line, it's similar to a USCG documentation application (original) and it costs you $27.50.
You should also download the Bimini/Bahamas entry paperwork or you will be completing this at the port in Bimini (I'm heading into Bimini Bay and this was recommended...customs officer on-site). It's about four pages of assorted information (port inward/outward info, your info, vessel info, manifest and a declaration page). They get specific about firearms & ammo, and consumables aboard.
As the other post suggested, once you have your decal (posted 18" from the hatch/entry of your vessel) you can call-in upon entry back into the US and passports are the order of the day. Goodluck.
You should fly a quarantine flag when you first enter a Bahamian port showing that you have not cleared yet. If you arrive in the middle of the night and anchor out until the customs office opens, then you'd better be flying your yellow flag and don't fish or get off the boat until you are cleared. When you go into Alice Town (say Brown's Marina) everyone stays on the boat and the skipper takes the passports or crew's ID info, plus boat papers and goes to clear customs and immigration. After that is completed, the skipper returns to the boat and everyone is ok to get off the boat and enjoy the area. The skipper will get a cruising pass. If you want to take lobster (if the season is open) with a Hawaiian Sling, you must request that they write that in on the cruising permit. It is $150 for a boat 35 feet or under. $300 above. Another place to clear customs is Cat Key, which is south of Bimini. Go through the cut where the Gun Cay light is and it is a short motor to the Cat Cay Marina. The island is private, but you can walk around much of it (the rest is off limits) and there is some provisions there. Honey moon harbour is a place to anchor if you are looking for a place to go. Along the western shore of Bimini you can anchor during the day, but take caution during the night due to swells. Inside the Gun Cay light there is anchorage and south around Dollar Harbour is some good anchorage, but sometimes the current runs swift there so be careful.
Of course you can anchor inside the cut into Bimini. Brown's Marina has been rebuilt after Hurricane Andrew. It was a heap pile many years. I have stayed at Brown's before it was demolished. The Compleate Angler, Hemmingway's house unfortunately burned down a while back, so that is no longer a destination. Bimini is building up like no tomorrow now, though. Other info above informs you of re-entering the U.S. and make sure you get your decal before you leave. You want to have that anytime you are offshore (even if you haven't visited a foreign country).
Of course you can anchor inside the cut into Bimini. Brown's Marina has been rebuilt after Hurricane Andrew. It was a heap pile many years. I have stayed at Brown's before it was demolished. The Compleate Angler, Hemmingway's house unfortunately burned down a while back, so that is no longer a destination. Bimini is building up like no tomorrow now, though. Other info above informs you of re-entering the U.S. and make sure you get your decal before you leave. You want to have that anytime you are offshore (even if you haven't visited a foreign country).
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