Registration in Panama

[xaliba]

Hi guys,

has anybody here registered a yacht in Panama? Would you be able to recommend reliable service provider who would be able to clarify and do the procedure?

thanks

[Bycrick]

I’ve been in Panama for years. I can’t quote the laws, but I can relate some experiences of others.

Panama has two different boat registrations: a national and an international.

I’m told that the national system is relatively quick, cheap and easy, but you can only cruise in Panamanian waters. The international registration allows the boat to go anywhere, but is targeted to big boats and has a minimum cost of a couple of thousand dollars per year.

There are several big law firms here that I’m sure could give you better information, but I’ve not dealt with them so can’t give a recommendation.

[xaliba]

Hi Bycrick,



thanks for replying!


Should you happen to hear of any reliable law firm in the future i'd appreciate if you let me know.


thanks again!

[Bycrick]

God willing, I won’t need to have to have any dealings with a law firm. The two people who I heard "horror stories" from had both decided to get Panamanian International registry. Several years later, when they needed to do some other paperwork, they found out that they "owed" multiple thousands of dollars that hadn’t been paid in the interim. I never heard how they ultimately resolved it.

My suspicion is that if you have a boat that’s big and expensive enough to justify this, then the legal fees to have somebody do it for you and then handle all the ongoing paperwork will be a relative pittance.

[belizesailor]

Same as Bycrick, Ive not actually done it, but understand cost is a minimum of about $1K/year...versus a cruising permit of $195.00/year. The cruising permit is extendable indefinately on an annual basis.

[Dsanduril]

https://www.matapitti.com/panama-shi...ation-details/

Pleasure vessels and Yachts Registration | PMA Certification - Vessel registration, surveys and certifications

https://www.delvallepanama.com/Offsh...istration.html

Looks like $1500 every two years + agent/lawyer fees.

[xaliba]

Hi guys, thanks everyone who has replied.


Dsanduril, I was wondering if those links you shared came out of searching the net or out of recommendation.


thanks again