New Crusing Permit Fees in the Bahamas

Norseman · May 31, 2012

So I sailed over to the Bahamas 2 weeks ago and when I checked in they said the fee for boats between 31 and 35 feet had double from $150.00 to $300.00

The Custom Officers even showed me a letter from their Minister.
Reluctanly I paid.

Today Bahamas went back to the old policy and said I would get refunded next time over there.

Heads up: If you paid the $300.00, keep the paper work and get your money back.

Pascal · May 31, 2012

I ve never been there with a small boat but I thought that the cutoff was always over 30'

Which port did you clear at?

missnmountains · May 31, 2012

Good luck on getting a refund. I have a buddy who had to pay his $300.00 and $25.00 per passenger including himself (5 passengers) right after they added the $25.00 per passenger over 3 rule. The Customs officers did not understand how to read the new law. They told him they would refund him. That was two years ago.

We checked in the very next day after him and only had to pay $25.00 for our 4th passenger.

Ken

Norseman · May 31, 2012

Which port did you clear at?
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Bimini

The cutoff has been 35' for over 10 years.

When I showed up they changed the rule to 31', when I leave, they change the rule back to where it was...

My boat is 33:

Picture taken in the middle of hurricane Wilma, 13 dock lines and 120 mph gusts down the canal..

Norseman · May 31, 2012

Good luck on getting a refund.
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Yeah, not holding my breath of popping champagne corks yet..

Got a couple of names to toss around next time I go over there:

Copied from a sailboat forum:

Well....I just got off the phone with Bahamas Tourism (like I said, Customs never answers the phone, at least when I call). The fees are back to where they were, and anyone who paid too much "can get reimbursed," just visit a Customs office with your paperwork (what could possibly go wrong?). Here's my new post at WG which tells the story:

Until recently, the fee for a boat to clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration was $150.00 for boats up to 35 feet and $300.00 for boats 35 feet and over. This covered a vessel with three persons or less, with departure taxes added for additional crew/passengers.

In mid-May, Customs changed the fee schedule: $150.00 for boats 30 feet and under and $300.00 for boats 31 feet and over, with no indication what they would charge for a boat that is 30.5 feet, for example. The Bahamas.com website was changed to reflect the new fee schedule.

However, Bahamas Tourism officials Carlton Sands and Earl Miller each stated that the policy change was premature and the government has it under reconsideration. "They were advised that it's not a good idea, especially now," said Miller. "The fees are back to where they were."

Sands is aware that some visitors who entered the Bahamas over the last 2 weeks in boats between 30-35 feet may have been charged $300 instead of the $150. "Bring your papers to a Customs office and you will be reimbursed the difference," Sands said. Sands said that his office should have the website information changed back to reflect the correct fees shortly.

As with most everything in the Bahamas, expect the unexpected. That's one of the thrills of cruising these beautiful waters.
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Capt J · Jun 1, 2012

Pascal said: ↑

I ve never been there with a small boat but I thought that the cutoff was always over 30'

Which port did you clear at?
Click to expand...

The cutoff used to be 35' because I ran a 35' Cabo and it said 34'9 on the documentation papers and I used to always pay a lower fee and the customs guys would always give me dirty looks or a grin......

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New Crusing Permit Fees in the Bahamas

Norseman Senior Member

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