YACHT ENTRY AND CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

YACHT ENTRY AND CLEARANCE PROCEDURES  

ENTRY PROCEDURES INTO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PORTS

• Complete the eSeaClear pre-arrival notification procedures online here: https://www.eseaclear.com/home/index.cfm.  If you do not have computer access prior to your arrival, the procedures can be completed in the Customs office upon arrival.
• Fly a yellow Q (Quarantine) flag from a clearly visible high point in the rigging of a sailing vessel or on the bridge of a motor yacht.
• All people on board - whether crew or passengers - must stay on board until all entry procedures have been completed.  This is also the case if the vessel arrives after hours. For information on current entry fees and port dues, contact the Antigua Port Authority at the numbers listed in the table below.
• The master only (all others must remain on board) must proceed ashore to the Customs and Immigration office.
• A cruising permit is required to cruise the waters of Antigua and Barbuda must be applied for and granted by the local Port Authority at the time of clearance in.
• The Antigua Port Authority and the National Parks Authority regulations must be adhered to while the vessel is in Antigua and Barbuda waters.
• All passengers and crew leaving a vessel in Antigua and Barbuda must have a valid airline ticket to a country that will accept them without question. The ticket must be presented to an immigration officer on leaving the vessel and the passenger must be signed off the vessel’s clearance papers.
• Exchange of crew from one vessel to another may take place only in the presence of an immigration officer and the masters of both vessels. The masters must take full responsibility for all crew members.  If they do not take full responsibility, legal action may result. 

ENTRY PROCEDURES SPECIFIC TO JOLLY HARBOUR

• All vessels wishing to clear into Antigua and Barbuda in Jolly Harbour must follow procedure specific to Jolly Harbour.  All procedures outlined above must be followed and in addition the following rules must also be observed.  Failure to do so could lead to hefty fines being levied.
• All vessels must proceed to the Customs dock in Jolly Harbour if their draft will allow them to do so, providing they arrive during regular hours.  If the vessel’s draft is too deep to enter the harbour the vessel must anchor outside the harbour.
• If arriving after 6:00 pm, vessels must anchor outside the harbour and then proceed to the Customs dock the following morning in order to clear in.
• It is essential that all crew and passengers, including the Master, remain on board at all times until clearance has been granted, except that the Master only may proceed to the Customs office to clear in.

REQUIREMENTS ONCE IN ANTIGUAN AND BARBUDAN WATERS

• Every vessel must have a valid cruising permit.
• It is illegal to sell or dispose of airline tickets to persons other than the original person named on the ticket.
• It is an offence to remain in Antigua and Barbuda without the prior consent of the immigration authorities.
• Where crew members are arriving by air and joining a vessel leaving for a foreign destination, a signed copy of a letter from the yacht's captain or local agent will be accepted in lieu of a return airline ticket. This information must be presented before or at the time of arrival at the airport.
• While cruising the waters of Antigua and Barbuda please use your discretion to help us to conserve the beauty and cleanliness of the water.

CLEARANCE PROCEDURES OUT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA PORTS 

• Any outstanding harbour fees must be paid and a Port Clearance Certificate must be obtained. This is presented to the Immigration Officer on duty with the vessel’s papers and passports.
• Vessels clearing out of Antigua and Barbuda must depart within 24 hours of completion of clearance out procedures.

PORTS OF ENTRY

ANTIGUA

There are four main ports of entry in Antigua.
These are English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, Heritage Quay and St. John's Deep Water Harbour.

BARBUDA

Yachts must clear customs in Antigua first before proceeding to Barbuda as cruising permits are not available there.
There is only one customs station based in Codrington.