Panama : Formalities

Clearance

Formalities with the Panamanian Authorities (clearing in and out, immigration etc.) are completely separate from formalities with the Panama Canal Authority for Canal Transit.

PANAMA FORMALITIES

The law concerning the pre-registration of visiting vessels is officially now being enforced for yachts. This requires details about the yacht and its crew to be sent to the Authorities (AMP) at least 48 hours before arrival at any Panamanian port. This information may be sent by email or by filling in the on-line form. AMP understand that this may not be possible, and in such cases, the information will need to be provided on arrival. The on-line form is available at AMP website

In practice many authorities are not aware of the advance notification mandate. Noonsite recommends however that yachts pre-register if possible, especially as it is relatively easy via e-mail.

Yachts arriving from the Caribbean can no longer clear immigration at the Panama Canal Yacht Club as it has now been demolished, but must visit the office in Colon or use the Shelter Bay Marina (advance reservation recommended). When arriving from the Pacific, clearance is also completed at the offices ashore.

After immigration, one must clear with customs and the port authority, both of which are within a short distance, but are best visited by taxi.

At both Balboa and Cristobal, arriving yachts may be boarded by Panamanian officials. At Cristobal they may complete all the initial clearance formalities. When the captain goes ashore to complete clearance procedures, all others must remain on board until clearance is complete.

Yachts coming from the Caribbean should make sure they have the proper port captain clearance paper.

Note:
A Permiso de Navegacion (Cruising Permit) is required by all foreign vessels sailing in Panamanian waters. See Documents and Fees for further details.

When you sail from one district to another in Panama (e.g. San Blas to Colon or Colon to Balboa etc.) you must obtain a Zarpe (for which you pay) and clear in at following port (for which there are no charges). Districts are defined by ports with Port Captains Offices. If you do not obtain a Zarpe, the fines can be between $100 and $300.

If employing an agent, it is helpful for them to be present during any inspection or official visit.

PROCEDURES FOR TRANSITING THE PANAMA CANAL

Yachts should obtain the Panama Canal Authority Customer Form "Procedures for securing a handline transit of the Panama Canal" from their website www.pancanal.com (go to Maritime Operations and then to Customer Forms). This form contains all regulations inclusive of transit fees and charges for small craft less than 125 ft. LOA, classified as handline transits, equipment requirements, types of lockage etc.

1. Advance Notification of Intention to Transit and Request for Inspection

The Panama Canal Authority requires 96 hours advance notification of arrival for vessels wishing to transit the Panama Canal, utilizing the Electronic Collection System EDCS (Web or GIG). Since many small craft do not have the necessary communication facilities on board to action this prior to arrival in Panama, the Admeasurement Offices at Balboa and Cristobal have a computer available where the required information can be entered on arrival.

On arrival in Panama, skippers should first clear in with the Panamanian Authorities and then make arrangements for the transit by visiting the Admeasurers Office at Cristobal or Balboa, furnish the EDCS information required (if not already done so), present the yacht's registration documents etc. and request an inspection.

No small vessel will be accepted for transit before inspection and payment of Transit Fees and Charges.

2. Inspection

Inspection will cover admeasurement, equipment requirements, deficiency and condition inspection and lockage arrangements. The captain will be requested to sign a release covering equipment on board not meeting the Panama Canal Authority requirements.

The optimum minimum speed to transit the Canal, is 8 knots. The Canal Authority may deny transit if a handline vessel (i.e. a yacht) cannot maintain a minimum speed of 5 knots. However, a vessel may be towed through the Canal by another handline vessel if it can tow her at 5 or more knots, or make arrangements to be towed, at their own expense, by a Panama Canal Authority launch.

Finally the Inspector will deliver an Admeasurement Clearence and Handline Inspection form to be shown to the Bank (Citibank) when payment is made covering transit and charges.

3. Pay Transit Expenses

As soon as possible after the inspection arrange payment to the Bank (Citibank) and later the same day contact Transit Operations to confirm payment has been registered and to place the yacht on the transit list. Normally a tentative transit date is given at the same time, which must be confirmed and followed up.

Addresses, phone numbers etc. for the Panama Canal Authority Admeasurement Offices and the Citibank Offices etc. for both Cristobal and Balboa, can be found in the above mentioned Customer form. Note that the Signal Stations at Cristobal and Balboa handle Canal and Port traffic only and that communication with the Admeasurers Office is by phone or personal visit only.

Transit Schedule

Southbound transits (Cristobal - Balboa) start normally late afternoon, anchoring in Gatun Lake for the night and finishing the following day mid-afternoon. Northbound transits (Balboa - Cristobal) normally start around sunrise and finish the same day, late afternoon.

Yachts are required to maintain their transit schedule regardless of weather conditions (see point 2. regarding minimum speed). The cost of a Panama Canal tug is between $145 and $1650 per hour depending on the circumstances.

VHF Channels

See Panama Communications.

Cristobal Signal Station and Flamenco Signal Station Balboa (Panama Canal Authority) listen on Channels 12 & 16 and use these channels for Port and Canal movements.

Line Handlers

Any "handline" craft must have 4 line handlers (apart from the skipper), one for each of the 4 lines required. The line handlers can of course be the crew or part of the crew. During the busy season most yachts help each other with line handling and it is recommended that first-time-transit yacht skippers do one transit as a line handler prior to their own transit, so they are familiar with the transit procedures.

You can hire line handlers locally to supplement the crew if required, or all 4 if necessary. The 2010 price was around US$ 60 per line handler, plus transportation back (US$ 10). The best way to get reliable line handlers is to ask on the VHF yacht nets at Cristobal/Colon and Balboa or at the Marinas/Yacht Clubs in the Canal area. (See note below about agent-arranged line handlers).

Agents

It is not required by local Authorities or by the Panama Canal Authority that a local agent is employed. The service of agents are available if yachts are prepared to pay for the service and don't want to do the paperwork for the transit themselves. If your knowledge of Spanish is uncertain, then employing an agent who knows the system would be useful.

Yachts using agents normally make the appointment upon arrival (having asked around first), few before. The extent of the service depends on the captain's requirements and his negotiations with the agent.

Note that there are official agents, registered with the Canal Authorities, and unofficial “agents” who in the main are taxi drivers who understand the procedures and where the various offices are located, but will be unable to assist should any problems occur during transit.

A few things to consider if using an agent:
- If Transit Fees and Buffer (Guarantee Deposit) is paid via the agent and not directly, it should be made clear beforehand how and when the Buffer is refunded or accounted for.
- Daily rate for line handlers - don't forget to take into account the number of days your transit is expected to take.
- Experience of line handlers and possible language barrier.

Note, that as of June 2010, Shelter Bay Marina charge Agents a fee of $30 (+ tax) per vessel, which allows the agent to make as many visits as may be required to that vessel as well as bringing line handlers and supplies to the vessel. Agents may pass this fee on to the cruiser. Vessels that do not use an agent are not charged.

Agents recommended by Cruisers

Match Shipping Management
Tel: +507 66158157 (24 hours)
Email: info@matchship.com

Agencia Maritima Delfino, Pete Stevens
Tel: (507) 261-3554/1931, Fax: +507 261 3236
Email: delfinomaritime@hotmail.com

Agencia Naviera Servimundo, Nelson Newball
Tel: 505-227-3320
Email: agensa@cableonda.net

Centenario & Co.S.A. - Erick Galvez
Mbl. (507) 6676-1376
Email: info@centenarioconsulting.com
South & Northbound transit agent

Tina McBride Yacht Services
Mobile +507-6617-7889,6637-2999, Fax: +507 232 0317
Email: tinamcbride@hotmail.com
Good reports from cruisers

Panama Yacht Adventure
Tel: +507 263 2676, Fax: +507 263 2676
Email: andresn@panamayachtadventures.com

Enrique Plummer
Tel: +507 6-674-2086
Email: eplumber10@yahoo.com
Mostly northbound yachts

Naviera Stanley S.A., Stanley Scott
Tel: +507 6-680-7971
Email: sscott@cwpanama.net
Mostly Southbound yachts.
Mixed reports from cruisers inc. a number of negative ones (see reports adjacent).

Last updated June 2010

Transit Operations Division
Panama Canal Authority
Tel:(507) 272-4211 , Fax:(507) 272-7688

Immigration

Apart from some eastern European, Asian and African countries who require a visa in advance, most other nationalities can enter Panama by buying a tourist card on arrival (some airlines are also making tourist cards available at the point af departure for Panama). Tourist cards cost US$10.

Nationals of the following countries do not require a tourist card: Germany, Spain, UK, Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, Honduras, Switzerland and Uruguay.

There is, currently (July 2010), some confusion over how long a tourist may stay in Panama. The current law states 90 days, but it seems there are plans for this to be extended to 180 and some Immigration Officials are already implementing this when stamping passports. But, beware this rule is not yet enshrined in law and staying more than 90 days without applying for an extension may cause problems.

If checking out during the weekend or outside business hours, immigration charge an overtime fee of US$30.00 per yacht.

Last updated July 2010.

Customs

Firearms must be declared on arrival and will be held in bond until departure.

Health

An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. If just transiting the Canal, it is not necessary to take anti-malarial precautions, but is recommended outside the Canal Area.

HOSPITALS
Colon – Clinic near Quatro Altos (Tel: 433-7532)
Panama City – Clinica Hospital San Fernando (278-6364) – This hospital has an international department to assist you. (Tel: 305-6300, Ex 4283). Email: custrepresentative@hospitalsanfernando.com
Centro Medico Paitilla (Tel: 265-8800) Calle 53 and Ave. Balboa located near the World Trade Center in the Marbella area.
Punta Pacifica Hospital (Tel: 204-8000). This is the newest and most advanced facility in the country and is affiliated with the John’s Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore, Maryland. Several cruisers have been helped with direct billing to insurance companies outside of Panama.
Hospital National (Tel: 207-8100) is located at Avenida Cuba between Calle 38 & Calle 39.

Documents

NOTE: Correction to previous entry.

Cruising Permits, "Permiso de Navegacion"
These are required by all foreign vessels sailing in Panamanian waters. As from 1st July 2010, cruising permits are now issued "per calendar year", meaning if you arrive January you get a permit valid to December 31st the same year, and the same applies if you arrive December 1st! You can however renew for 1 additional calendar year. See Fees for permits below.

It is important to note that the local authorities in each port in Panama may not be aware of, or apply these new rules. See Noonsite report for the details.

Yachts clearing in Cristobal, who do not intend to stop in Balboa at all, can clear out of Panama in Cristobal, but they must do this one working day before transiting the Canal. Apparently the clearance is free in Cristobal, but costs $25 in Balboa. If intending to stop at Las Perlas or the San Blas Islands, this should be mentioned on the clearance paper by the relevant officer.

If a Fumigation certificate is required (i.e. if visiting the Galapagos islands) ensure that it is one issued by the Ministerio de Sanidad.

Last updated July 2010.

Fees

Immigration Visa fee is $15.

Maritime Authority of Panama and Marina Mercante are charging 193.00 us/dollars for a cruising permit. The consent to clear will be 12.00 dollars and the zarpe will be 1.50. This is for all yachts...local and in transit and applies for calendar year...so if arriving in November....this permit would only be valid until Dec 31st and it would have to be renewed for another 193.00 dollars. (Posted July 2010)

It costs approximately $20 to take a taxi to the bank to pay all the fees. The check-out fees are less than the entry fees.

For information on the latest transit fees (including deposits etc.), see the Panama Canal Authority Customer Form "Procedures for securing a handline transit of the Panama Canal" from their website www.pancanal.com (go to Maritime Operations and then to Customer Forms).

Yachts over 65ft must have a AIS transponder. One can be hired from the canal authorities.

Fees for the National Park Area (around Isla Coiba, Isla Canal de Afuera, Isla Brincanco, Granito de Oro and Isla Rancheria) in northern Panama, have substantially increased. In 2008 they were $20 per day, per person, and a daily anchoring fee. For a 10m boat this was $30.

Panama has a sales tax of 7% which also includes the Banks, meaning that you pay a 7% tax on what the Bank charges for the transaction not on the whole amount of the transaction. This Tax also applies to Service Fees such as Agency fees etc.

Last updated July 2010.

Restrictions

Panamanians tend to be conservative dressers; men always wear long trousers, never trainers, and most people wear business clothes in town, which should be taken into consideration even if it is hot if you wish to avoid being too conspicuous.

Pets

Dogs need health and anti-rabies certificates and are not allowed to land. All other animals need health certificates. In practice, the procedure is quite relaxed.