Cruising Permit Fee For Bahamas

[pesarsten]

I am completely confused! Is the fee for a 34 foot boat $150 or $300?
And when did it change from 35 feet to 30 feet, if it did in fact change?


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[Dulcesuenos]

It did depending on where you clear in.

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[CSY Man]

It changed a few years ago.
My boat was 33 feet and paid only $150 for 12 years.
Then all of a sudden $300. (Bimini)
No warning, no extra cash in pocket.
Told them I will be back...

[pesarsten]

And yet even now the Bahamas.gov website says $150 for up to 35 ft,


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[Scaramanga F25]

...and for years I would ask for a receipt...but they regularly had none left, Bimini in particular.

[hamburking]

Sounds like a "Wallet inspector"

[Virginia Lee]

We paid $300 for our 38' boat since at least 2012. BTW, Bimini customs and immigration has moved. Clear in the boat at Big Game marina; go across the street to the police station building to clear in people. Closed Saturday.

[BobH260]

Yes the cost depends on where you clear. You must have cash, be sure to ask for the fishing permit at the time you clear. We are just under 35 ft and have paid $150 the past two years.

[RTB]

Why the confusion? It's still $150.00 for up to 35', $300.00 if over 35.

Bahamas — Noonsite (see fees)

There was a proposal to change the fees a year or two ago, but it didn't pass.

http://www.passagemaker.com/articles...cruising-fees/

Ralph

[roberttigar]

Date May 30, 2015

For at least 2 years, the cruising fee has been:
For boats to 30;-$150
For boats overs 30'-$300.
Plus, this year the Govt has instigated a VAT of 7.5%

Bob

[RTB]

Originally Posted by roberttigar

Date May 30, 2015

For at least 2 years, the cruising fee has been:
For boats to 30;-$150
For boats overs 30'-$300.
Plus, this year the Govt has instigated a VAT of 7.5%

Bob

What is your source????

Once again, from noonsite -

There is a flat fee to clear Customs and Immigration, which is BS$150.00 for boats up to 35 feet and BS$300.00 for boats over 35 feet. This covers a vessel with up to three people. Additional persons are charges BS£20 each ($23 from Grand Bahama Cay).
This fee includes a cruising permit, a fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges and the departure fee.
Ensure a receipt is obtained from the clearing officer.
Extensions to the fishing permit cost an additional $150 for 12 months (Ed. to be confirmed.)
The cruising permit may be extended for an additional 2 years on application to Customs and payment of a fee of BS$500 per year's extension (further details above in the Customs section). (also to be confirmed.)
There are no overtime or other charges.
For more information on the Cruising Permit see the Noonsite/Customs section.
Last updated January 2015.

This looks like an official form: Inward Declaration and Application for Cruising Permit - Customs Department - Government

[roberttigar]

Direct from the Bahamas Tourist office. Their representative spoke at our May sailing club meeting. He informed us on the VAT. We entered at West End in May 2013 and were charged $300 for our 33' Bob

[RTB]

I trust that you are correct then. Maybe you should send an email to noonsite? I'm honestly surprised that they have it wrong. Oh well, It's still $300.00 for our 36' boat.

Ralph

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by RTB

What is your source????

Once again, from noonsite -

There is a flat fee to clear Customs and Immigration, which is BS$150.00 for boats up to 35 feet and BS$300.00 for boats over 35 feet. This covers a vessel with up to three people. Additional persons are charges BS£20 each ($23 from Grand Bahama Cay).
This fee includes a cruising permit, a fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges and the departure fee.
Ensure a receipt is obtained from the clearing officer.
Extensions to the fishing permit cost an additional $150 for 12 months (Ed. to be confirmed.)
The cruising permit may be extended for an additional 2 years on application to Customs and payment of a fee of BS$500 per year's extension (further details above in the Customs section). (also to be confirmed.)
There are no overtime or other charges.
For more information on the Cruising Permit see the Noonsite/Customs section.
Last updated January 2015.

This looks like an official form: Inward Declaration and Application for Cruising Permit - Customs Department - Government

noonsite is wrong. from the horse mouth: Boating Entering/Exiting Policies | The Official Site of The Bahamas

Entry Fees
All boaters entering The Bahamas are required to pay an entry fee.
a) For boats up to 30', the fee is $150.00
b) For boats over 30', the fee is $300.00
Fees Subject To Change
The fees will cover:
1) Cruising Permit
2) Fishing Permit
3) Departure Tax for up to three (3) persons. Each additional person above three will be charged a $25 departure tax. This fee is good for a second re-entry within a 90-day period.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by pcmm

noonsite is wrong. from the horse mouth: Boating Entering/Exiting Policies | The Official Site of The Bahamas

Sorry, but that doesn't appear to be an "official" government site. I'd be more trusting of this one - Inward Declaration and Application for Cruising Permit - Customs Department - Government

It would be easy for the OP to call or email the Bahamas Customs Department HQ shown there.

Maybe it's only $150.00 for Canadians, since that's what BobH260 paid the past 2 years (Post #8).

Ralph