Port Control must be contacted on both arrival and departure once in the approach channel, however, it’s highly likely they will pick you up on AIS and contact you first. Call on VHF channel 16.

International Clearance:

Contact Customs on arrival, see: http://www.cochincustoms.gov.in/default.php/visiting-crafts

Yachts must anchor for clearance at the quarantine anchorage – off the steamer point on the north tip of Willingdon Island, opposite the two jetties of the port office and the Taj Malabar Hotel in front of the Port Trust Building (Location: 09° 58.15’N, 076° 15.43’E).

Clearance must be completed before permission will be given to move to the Marina [note: call Bolgatty Marina in advance to ensure they have space for you].

Offices will likely board in the following order:

1. Port Control
2. Health
3. Customs
4. Port Marina
5. Immigration

Skippers will be required to visit the Immigration, Customs and Port Marina Offices in person (likely the following day).

The Immigration Office is opposite Cochin Harbour Terminus Railway Station in Willingdon Island.

The Deputy Conservator’s Office, Cochin Port Trust (for the entry certificate) is in the main building of Cochin Port Trust in Willingdon Island. With the Entry Certificate the Skipper should then go to the Import & Bond Department in the Customs House situated just next to Port Trust Office for completing Customs formalities on entry.

The yacht’s registration certificate will be retained, and returned on departure.

Notes: 

• Immigration officers work 24/7, but Customs only works 5 days a week, 9am to 5pm. Customs officers also don’t work on Indian holidays. Consequently, the worst time to arrive is on a Friday night before a Monday holiday.
• Expect clearance to take at least two days. Some boats have reported being allowed to proceed to the marina and complete clearance the next day, however, this is rare. Customs seem to take the longest with the clearance process.
• A useful contact here is Nisam (see business link below) whose father, Nazar, helped cruisers for decades and Nisam has now taken over the business. He speaks fluent English. While not an agent, he can guide you through the clearance process as he knows where all the offices are, which forms to fill in at the State Bank and which desks to go to.
• With prior warning, yachts planning to call at Kondo Syokai for repair can call on them for assistance with clearing.

Moving Within Cochin Port:

After clearance, you may then go to the yacht anchorage south of Bolgatty Island, or the marina at the Bolgatty Palace Heritage Hotel on the east of Bolgatty Island. Boats drawing more than 6 ft (2 m) should wait for high tide as the channel is shallow in places.

Prior permission should be obtained from Superintendent of Customs (SIIB) at Custom House, Cochin, for shifting the yacht to any new position in the harbour (prior permission from the port is also necessary), for taking out any part of fittings of the vessel for repairs or any other purpose, if any member of the Crew/passenger to disembark at Cochin or any new Passenger/Crew to embark at Cochin, and for taking any bunkers or stores in excess to the requirements in the port.

Domestic Cruising:

If planning a day sail from the port, Port Control must be advised in advance, stating vessel, crew, and duration of the trip (in hours).

The Coast Guard is likely to come alongside to check when sailing in the vicinity of the port.

Leaving your boat in Cochin:

You can leave your boat in Cochin and travel inland in India without any need to contact the authorities. If you want to leave the boat there and travel out of the country however, you will need special permission from the authorities in Cochin. The boat must have a guard on-board or be stored in a recognized boatyard/workshop.

Contact: Deputy Conservator’s Office, Cochin, Tel: 04 84 666871, Fax: 04 84 668163.

Clearing Out:

After clearing out, you have three days in which to leave. Using Nissam will cut down on the time this takes.

First go to Port Control, next to Customs to recover your Ship’s papers (do not forget your receipt!). Finally, Immigration, but note, they (unlike Port Control and Customs) do not give you 3 days. They expect you to leave the same day.

Call Port Control on CH16 and ask for permission to leave. They will ask you to keep a radio watch on CH16.

Last updated:  April 2023