Latest on Venezuelan Formalities

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-03-19 12:09:58
Countries: Venezuela

International clearance for pleasure boats is required for: All vessels leaving or arriving Venezuela. Port of entry haven't changed. Los Roques facilities offer only a pre-clearance for inbound boats and the authorities cannot clear you out internationally either.

Pleasure boats going from one area of jurisdiction to another still need a national clearance. Pleasure boats going from one port to another in the same area of jurisdiction do not need a national clearance, unless they have a crew change.

Clearances are best done by so called agents, i.e. Juan Baro in Porlamar on Isla Marguerita, when entering Venezuela from the East, TBS in Puerto de la Cruz or other agents you find suitable. While the clearance fees charged by the authorities have gone up, the national currency Bolivar though has declined from 700 Bolivar = 1USD in Oct 2002 down to 2000 Bolivar = 1USD in March 2003. As a result, the agents have pretty much kept their prices for the clearance and as per today, Juan Baro charges 27 US for a national clearance and 50 US for an international clearance.

There have been attempts by private people, backed by their tourist organizations, i.e.in Cumana, to simplify procedures and hence attrack more sailing boats. As much as we are welcoming this action, the individual cruiser must understand, that the authorities of the next area of jurisdiction he enters with his boat, might not share the opinion of their very own colleagues and that internal conflict could well end with a fine to be paid by the skipper of just that unlucky vessel.

Patient people, preferably speaking good Spanish, may try to attempt doing the clearances themselves, but for ourselves we are convinced there are better things to do for a cruiser than trying to climb a manmade paper-barricade. There is no doubt that this whole clearance business is fairly out of date, the process most inefficient and not causing any happiness with anybody. But one wants to appreciate that Venezuela's focus right now is not aimed at simplifying procedures for leisure craft. Let's simply hope that the future will hold a better system for us sailors, so we can enjoy this magnificent cruising ground even more.

Lilly Vedana, Thomas Mueller

Yacht MIZ MAE, March 2003