Customs clearance to get diesel only

[leont]

Does one need customs clearance to get diesel only in the Dominican Republic and/or the Bahamas?

[sailorboy1]

All can say is that 5 years ago arriving at fuel dock West End Bahamas that I wasnt allowed to fuel till after I had checked in. 3 months later when in the south that could have been stopped at on way north I was asked for my checkin docs before being allowed fuel.

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by leont

Does one need customs clearance to get diesel only in the Dominican Republic and/or the Bahamas?

YES!!! No question and unequivocal YES you NEED to clear in to buy fuel.

Can you sneak in? Maybe. But evading the rules is not what we do when we are guests of another country.

[JC Reefer]

You could probably get away with this but you’re risking a lot. The Could take your vessel. They probably wouldn’t, but…

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by leont

Does one need customs clearance to get diesel only in the Dominican Republic and/or the Bahamas?

An interesting question LeonT.

I am surprised that you or anyone really would think, even for a moment, that someone could, legitimately, really just pop in to somewhere in another country (crossing across their border as it were), fill up with gas, and then pop out again, all without anyone minding? Really? Aren't they called illegal immigrants, don't they get locked up if they're caught?

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and The Dominican Republic are both countries Leon.

So Yes Leon you will need a valid and current passport and go through the formalities at the border to gain entry. This applies at any border, failure to follow the procedures typically has serious consequences, even when accidental. Many countries are really really sensitive about their borders.

Actually I've heard of a border where on one side they're so annoyed with the people on the other side, popping across with their empty jerry cans, that they're building this giant wall to keep the fellas on the other side out. So now they have to get long ladders or dig big holes.

Of course there are exceptions, perhaps you qualify Leon. Examples include the Monarchs of some countries (the Queen of England, Wales and Scotland has never held a passport yet can travel to any country in the world). Diplomatic staff too have special privileges and can pass across borders. I think that the Pope of the Catholic Church also has special privileges.

But for smelly commoners not so much. Most countries provide a virtually automatic visa process for citizens of some countries whose citizens will qualify for an automatic visa/ That gets stamped in your passport on arrival, with varying lengths of duration granted. But citizenship typically doesn't mean blanket entry rights, either. For people with criminal records and for a variety of other reasons not so easy, such people must apply for their visa, sometimes from outside the country.

[Hoosiersailor]

Originally Posted by grantmc

An interesting question LeonT.

I am surprised that you or anyone really would think, even for a moment, that someone could, legitimately, really just pop in to somewhere in another country (crossing across their border as it were), fill up with gas, and then pop out again, all without anyone minding? Really? Aren't they called illegal immigrants, don't they get locked up if they're caught?

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and The Dominican Republic are both countries Leon.

So Yes Leon you will need a valid and current passport and go through the formalities at the border to gain entry. This applies at any border, failure to follow the procedures typically has serious consequences, even when accidental. Many countries are really really sensitive about their borders.

Actually I've heard of a border where on one side they're so annoyed with the people on the other side, popping across with their empty jerry cans, that they're building this giant wall to keep the fellas on the other side out. So now they have to get long ladders or dig big holes.

Of course there are exceptions, perhaps you qualify Leon. Examples include the Monarchs of some countries (the Queen of England, Wales and Scotland has never held a passport yet can travel to any country in the world). Diplomatic staff too have special privileges and can pass across borders. I think that the Pope of the Catholic Church also has special privileges.

But for smelly commoners not so much. Most countries provide a virtually automatic visa process for citizens of some countries whose citizens will qualify for an automatic visa/ That gets stamped in your passport on arrival, with varying lengths of duration granted. But citizenship typically doesn't mean blanket entry rights, either. For people with criminal records and for a variety of other reasons not so easy, such people must apply for their visa, sometimes from outside the country.

Wow...I actually thought it was a pretty good question. You are not an immigrant (a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country) in to the country. It is a simple fuel stop. Clearing customs and paying the associated fees seems a bit much to stop and get gas. You aren't staying or visiting. However, I understand why the country would require it.

However, since many countries don't require the crew to clear customs on private aircraft just to stop and take on fuel, it is a valid question....

[donradcliffe]

If you ask, the answer will be yes.

[Nightsky]

I think in some countries (not sure about the Bahamas) having a customs clearance gets you a better price or tax exemption on the fuel. May or may not offset the cost of clearing in.

[JPA Cate]

Once you have checked in, you may qualify to get your departure diesel duty free.

Ann

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by grantmc

An interesting question LeonT [...]
So Yes Leon you will need a valid and current passport and go through the formalities at the border to gain entry. This applies at any border, failure to follow the procedures typically has serious consequences, even when accidental. Many countries are really really sensitive about their borders.

I don't think the question was so far out of bounds to merit such a pedantic and condescending reply.


There are many borders where a passport is not, de jure, required in all situations. For example, between the USA and Canada or Mexico, to this day, it is possible to cross the border via land or sea without a passport, for individuals who have alternative documents enumerated under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Some of these documents are available to individuals who are not qualified to obtain a passport under the laws of their country of citizenship. By way of example, I have three documents other than a passport which I can use to lawfully cross from the USA to Canada and back -- an enhanced driver's license, a Global Entry card, and a "passport" card -- in addition to the customary passport.



There are other examples. Within Europe, it is not necessary to clear customs or immigration to pass from, say, Germany to Austria, or between any other two Schengen nations --- despite your contention that such formalities are required "at any border."



There are also alternative (de jure) clearance procedures that do not require an in-person customs visit, in some cases, that may be relevant.



Finally, there are many situations where, de facto, documents will not be examined and formalities will not be observed -- though perhaps not as frequently as in years past. While it is unwise to depend upon these courtesies it is a reality to consider when determining whether a visit is worthwhile. I have walked between the USA and Mexico at official crossing points without being questioned or asked to produce any documents whatsoever.


I don't know what it's like getting fuel in 2022, in the DR or the Bahamas, and I think it's actually a pretty good question.

[mlydon]

It’s an interesting question in that, if you only tie up to a fuel doc and take on fuel, you’re never actually setting foot on the foreign country…..
If you are transiting somewhere, and graze the 12 mile limit, or whatever the limit is, do you need to go into a port of entry and check in? Different story if you’re going to hang around and anchor in their waters, but just passing through?

Matt

[StuM]

Originally Posted by mlydon

It’s an interesting question in that, if you only tie up to a fuel doc and take on fuel, you’re never actually setting foot on the foreign country…..
If you are transiting somewhere, and graze the 12 mile limit, or whatever the limit is, do you need to go into a port of entry and check in? Different story if you’re going to hang around and anchor in their waters, but just passing through?

Matt

Once you enter "territorial waters" (the "12 mile limit"), you are subject to the laws of that country:
UNCLOS Articel 2
The sovereignty of a coastal State extends, beyond its land territory
and internal waters and, in the case of an archipelagic State, its archipelagic
waters, to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea.
2. This sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as
well as to its bed and subsoil.

In general, once a vessel "ties up" to any sort of dock (or even a mooring) your vessel has, to all intents and purposes, "landed" in a country and it and all persons on board are subject to all required quarantine and customs clearances unless special legal provisions have been made for the specific situation. Similarly with anchoring.except in certain circumstance (see below).

Transiting within territorial waters (the 12 mile limit?) is covered under UNCLOS:
Article 17
Right of innocent passage
Subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
Article 18
Meaning of passage
1. Passage means navigation through the territorial sea for the purpose
of:
(a) traversing that sea without entering internal waters or calling at a roadstead or port facility outside internal waters; or
(b) proceeding to or from internal waters or a call at such roadstead or port facility.
2. Passage shall be continuous and expeditious. However, passage includes stopping and anchoring, but only in so far as the same are incidental to ordinary navigation or are rendered necessary by force majeure or distress or for the purpose of rendering assistance to persons, ships or aircraft in danger or distress.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I don't think the question was so far out of bounds to merit such a pedantic and condescending reply.

There are many borders where a passport is not, de jure, required in all situations. For example, between the USA and Canada or Mexico, to this day, it is possible to cross the border via land or sea without a passport, for individuals who have alternative documents enumerated under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Some of these documents are available to individuals who are not qualified to obtain a passport under the laws of their country of citizenship. By way of example, I have three documents other than a passport which I can use to lawfully cross from the USA to Canada and back -- an enhanced driver's license, a Global Entry card, and a "passport" card -- in addition to the customary passport...

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
This initiative establishes document requirements, for travel by land or sea, into the United States, from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda [who were previously exempt]. Travel between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is not affected. The goal is to strengthen border security.
➥ https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...tent_entity=en
➥ https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...tent_entity=en
➥ https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/fi...fact-sheet.pdf

[flee27]

I agree that grantmc is completely out of line with the response. And here lies the internet forum conundrum. A forum is a place for people with common interest to gather and discuss said common interest. Some insecure folks like to use it as a place to attempt to belittle others with their superior knowledge and stature.

Anyway, I think it is a valid question and understand both sides. Checking in just to fill you tanks does seem like a waste of resources. But I also understand the line has to be drawn somewhere for there to be clear guidelines. I guess fuel stops just need to be planned out so they coincide with opportunities to visit another place and culture. You never know where the next unforgettable experience can come from. So with the right mind set checking in to get fuel, walking around the town, might just lead you to an amazing experience with something or someone.

After all we travel on boats for the adventure. Not just to get somewhere. If you are the later flying is much, much, much more efficient.

Safe adventuring
Foster

[goboatingnow]

Of course you clear in to buy diesel.