Salvador de Bahia Yacht Clearance
Salvador is currently the easiest place to clear into/out of Brazil, with the development of SAC Náutico, a Citizens service for local boats as well as foreign recreational craft that opened in 2024. All vessels must check in with the Brazilian authorities on arrival. At SAC Náutico (like a one-stop-shop), entry into and exit from the country can be carried out using electronic forms from the Federal Police, Federal Revenue and Port Authority, cutting the clearance time by hours.
See Brazil Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of Brazil.
Arriving during the Week
Step-by-Step Clearance Process:
1. Go to SAC Náutico
- Located outside Socicam Marina gate at Doca 1, Comércio (next to the tourist ferry port, close to Bahia Marina [12° 58' 17 S / 38° 30' 53 W], near to the Porto Salvador Marina and just a short walk from the front gate of Socicam Marina).
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00–12:00 & 13:00–17:00
- Ramon, the maritime agent, will assist with forms and procedure. There is no fee for his assistance.
- Air-conditioned office, seating available.
- Bring: Boat registration copy and Passport copies for all crew.
- SAC Náutico – Prefeitura Municipal de Salvador
sacnautico@salvador.ba.gov.br
2. Next visit Immigration – Polícia Federal
- A few doors down from SAC Náutico
- Show passports and completed forms
- Receive passport stamps
3. Complete Customs Check-In
- Next building after Polícia Federal
- Customs closes 12:00-14:00.
- Only the Captain is required to attend
- Submit: completed forms + boat registration copy
Notes:
- It is best to arrive early as the clearance process will still take approx. 3 hours and Customs close for lunch.
- All crew should be present for the Federal Police procedures. No fees are charged.
- Currently SAC Nautico is only available in Salvador.
- Maritime agent, Ramon Filho is responsible for customer service. Ramon and all his staff are English speaking and very friendly.
- Though not mandatory, a CPF (Brazilian Tax ID) makes life easier in Brazil. It's required for SIM cards, groceries, online orders, pharmacies, medical care, laundry apps, etc. and can also unlock discounts. Ramon can help you apply. See Documents for more details.
- If you are unable to stay in a marina here, a safer option for clearance is to anchor at the NW tip of Itaparica, across the Bay from Salvador. There appears to be no enforcement by the authorities for the requirement to check-in immediately on arriving in Salvador. Once established at Itaparica it is an easy ferry trip across to Salvador to complete entry formalities.
- Navy officials may visit the marina to inspect your boat.
Arriving at the Weekend
If arriving at the weekend, when SAC Nautico is closed, a visit must be made to all authorities to clear in.
They are located less than 100m from Terminal Nautico and 3km away from Marina Bahia.
For international clearance, you need to go to these different offices in this order as the next step requires documents from the previous:
- Immigration, Policia Federal, on Ave. de Franca, inside a non-descriptive port authority building. Ask to be directed to the right place. The building faces the Brazilian Navy Marines barracks. two to three kms from the Marina. Both skipper and crew have to check in. The Policia Federal office hours are 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00 (Mon-Fri). 09:00-12:00 (Sat). Checking in with the Policia Federal is mandatory here.
- Customs, Receita Federal, in the commercial port, on Ave. de Franca, 300m to the left of Terminal Nautico when exiting the premises. Some English is spoken. Everything is done on a computer under the guidance from officials there (the computer service is available in English). The only skipper has to check the boat in. The boat will be temporarily imported on the basis of the skipper's length of stay as stamped in the passport. If the Policia Federal from step 1 gives you 90 days, then the boat will also get 90 days. Customs close for lunch 12:00-14:00.
- Capitania do Portos, Marina Do Brazil, in the big white building 300m to the right of the TN gates. You will have to clear at the gate. Inside the building are many different counters. Go to "F" "1" counter, on the very right after entering. No English is spoken but people are reported to be quite helpful.
Be sure to wear long trousers, no caps or hats inside the military area, or you might be refused service.
The staff at both marinas are most helpful and will advise about formalities, as will Marcelo Brocchini of MB yacht services.
For domestic clearance, you only have to visit the Receita Federal and the Capitania.
Clearing Out
If leaving Brazil, visit all the offices in reverse order, or SAC Nautico on a week day. If leaving Salvador for somewhere else in Brazil only a visit to the Capitania do Portos is required.
Last updated: June 2025
