Trincomalee - Clearance

To enter any port in Sri Lanka, you must use a Clearance Agent.

See Clearance Procedures for details of all Formalities required on entry and departure.

You are not allowed to enter Trincomalee in the dark.

Whilst this is a military port and not a tourist port, yachts have been able to clear into Sri Lanka here since 2015. The authorities are now more used to dealing with pleasure yachts, so clearance should go smoothly. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order, especially a visa applied for in advance.

Town Pier (referenced on charts as Passenger Pier)

Yachts can tie up to the north side of this pier while clearing in. It is concrete (have plenty of fenders), safe (in the NE monsoon) and is part of the property belonging to the Customs, Immigration and the police department. It is deep enough for most sailboats to tie up to (the water approaching the pier and at the pier is around 3+ meters deep), but one must have permission from the harbor authorities prior to doing so.

It can be confusing for an inbound yacht identifying the clearance pier, as the names of piers here have changed and charts don’t always match even recent charts. In trying to follow directions from the port one boat ran aground, tangled in fishing nets. Some useful notes on chart references here can be found at this report.

The lat/long for the correct jetty for clearance is: 08*34.00 N / 081*13.84 E.

A simpler clearance structure for yachts has been established here since 2015, with assistance from visiting cruisers, as the authorities want to find a way to ensure Trinco becomes a more welcoming place for boats. Co-operation by visiting cruising boats to follow the rules correctly will ensure that these new rules remain properly established.

Clearing-in Procedures

1. Call Trincomalee Port Control on Channel 16 for permission to enter the harbor, and expect at least one military boat to greet you on the way in confirming details. Port control will also confirm your details and give you permission to enter as long as your agent has given them notice that you will be arriving. If your boat name is not clearly seen on your boat, or if any other lettering (like the brand of your boat) is anywhere on the boat, this may cause further questioning to be sure it’s really you.

2. The officials and agent prefer arriving yachts to come to the pier for clearance (on the charts it is called "Passenger Pier). This is no problem if the wind is out of the easterly quadrant, but when the wind is blowing from the west, some boats have been allowed to anchor out and go ashore with their dinghy for clearance.

3. Your clearance agent will greet you at the pier. Give him the passports of all crew members, the original exit papers from your last port of call*, one copy of your crew list, and a copy of your ship's registration paper (some yachts have also been asked for medical records and immunization cards). It will take him at least one hour to complete clearance. During this time all crew members must remain on board. Any of the officials from Customs, Immigration, Harbor Police, Harbor Authority and Naval Security may visit your yacht.

*Note: Be advised that it is a big problem if you arrive in Trincomalee with clearance to a port of “Maldives” or anything besides “Trincomalee, Sri Lanka” or “High Seas”.

4. When your agent returns your stamped passports, call Port Control and ask for permission to leave the Passenger Pier and anchor near the Town Pier (several hundred metres to the SW is a calm anchorage with good holding).

5. After you anchor, call Port Control and tell them where you are anchored. Port Control require notification if you move at any time.

6. While at anchor or when you are tied up to the Passenger Pier the navy will send a skiff to visit you for a security check, which may include an underwater inspection.

Contact Captain Lakshi Wasantha, Deputy Harbor Master, at lakshi777@sltnet.lk if you need assistance concerning harbor issues.

Clearing-out Procedures

1. Contact your agent 4 business days prior to wanting to leave Trinco to request a final invoice. Be sure to check it for errors.

2. The day before departure you and your agent should meet. Give him your passports, usually late in the day.

4. The next morning your agent will meet with you. He will give you your stamped (exit) passports, and your outbound clearance document. He will also collect all funds due, per the shipping agent invoice.

5. During your last day in port Navy, security will visit your boat. They will ask to see your passports, make a few notes on their forms, and take a quick look around your boat. You are then free to leave.

6. Call Port Control and ask for permission to raise your anchor and leave the harbour.

There are a number of very useful reports by cruisers re. clearing in and out here. See reports section adjacent.

Last updated:  March 2019

Fees

Fees here are now similar to those charged in Galle. Yachts in 2020 have been charged in the region of $230 for the first month and $200 each month thereafter. This fee includes agent, harbor and customs fees.

They may try to charge a $50 bank fee, but you can get around this by paying in cash.

See Sri Lanka Fees for more details.

If you want additional services they cost extra:

• Tie off to a commercial dock/pier (to get water for example): $2 per hour.
• Tie off to the barge in China Bay, Mud Cove. Approx. 25 cents per hour.
• Pilot boat: $24 USD (night or day)
• Garbage disposal: $10 per week, if you want to drop your garbage in a boat at the pier. You can get around this by taking care of your own garbage disposal.
• Water: $8 for as much as you need up to 1000 litres.

If you want to stay more than 30 days, your next 30 day period must be arranged in advance through your agent.

There are no overtime charges.

See Sri Lanka Clearance for full details.

Last updated:  February 2020