Explore: St. Lucia - Formalities
Clearance
The SailClear advance web notification service for clearance is now operational here. Completing the online forms prior to checking in may save a lot of time at Customs. For a full explanation of this service and other web clearance services in the Caribbean see report: Eastern Caribbean Cruising: Clearance Procedures Simplified
It is also possible to complete arrival paperwork at the Customs and Immigration offices (i.e. filling out paper forms in quadruplicate as in the old days). This is a slow process however and using SailClear will enable a much faster clearance.
Note that Soufriere does not use SailClear.
On arrival, the captain should go ashore to report to Customs. The crew must remain on board until clearance is completed. Customs clearance from last port is required and a local declaration form must be completed in quadruplicate (including animals, duty-free goods, firearms on board).
There is a clearance overtime fee if you make your clearance with Customs on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday. However, you may clear up to 24 hours after arrival providing that no one leaves the vessel (other than for emergency purposes, of course).
If staying less than three days, one can clear in and out with Customs on arrival. After clearing out, yachts have 72 hours to depart Saint Lucia, or 24 hours if local or charter boats.
Yachts must, however, clear out with Immigration as passports need to be stamped on departure day. A new crew list must be submitted if there have been any crew changes.
Duty-free fuel may be purchased after clearing out. This is best done at Rodney Bay Marina where one can go directly to the fuel dock after clearing Customs.
Warning: Daytime burglaries have occurred in Vieux Fort while skippers travel to the airport to deal with Immigration. It is therefore recommended not to check-in here if you have to leave the boat unattended.
Last updated on October 2017.
Immigration
For a list of visa requirements, please visit the official website of the government of St. Lucia.
The see this www.govt.lc website list for nationals who are eligible for a visa-free stay.
Immigration officials have the power to grant visiting yachtsmen up to a 6 months stay.
For crew arriving to join the boat in St. Lucia, current entry restrictions state that air passengers must be in possession or be able to provide proof of an “onward or return ticket” and hold sufficient funds for the stay. In the event that passengers are traveling to St. Lucia and departing by sea, the passenger must hold documentation from the skipper of the boat confirming that they will be traveling aboard and detailing the exact departure date from St. Lucia and the next destination. Passengers must also then hold the correct documentation and comply with the entry restrictions for that destination too.
Immigration offices are normally open from 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.
Last updated October 2017.
Customs
Firearms must be declared, but no action is taken if staying less than three days, after which they must be sealed on board by a customs officer.
Yachts temporarily imported will have weapons held by Customs in Castries or possibly by police if a longer permit is obtained.
Prescription medication has to be in original container labeled with the patient’s name, contents of the bottle, pharmacy, and doctor’s contact information.
Due to St. Lucia’s popularity as a yachting destination, the government has introduced measures to make life easier for yachtsmen. This includes being able to import pleasure boats and equipment (to be used in repairs or new installations) free of import tax.
Customs offices are normally open from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm daily, with overtime charged on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
Last updated in October 2017.
Health
Mosquitos: Chikungunya disease in the Caribbean
The first case of the disease in the Caribbean was reported in the French island of St. Martin in 2013. Since then it has spread to several countries including Dominica and Saint Lucia. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue fever. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalization are rare.
ZIKA VIRUS ALERT: (September 2016) There have been recent safety alerts from the US State Department, UK Foreign Office, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding travel to parts of Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific islands. Saint Lucia is an area of interest due to mosquito transmission. There is growing concern about the rapid spread of the ZIKA Virus and the impact of the virus on pregnant women and babies. ZIKA is transmitted by mosquitos in tropical and sub-tropical climates, and there is currently no cure or vaccine. This situation is evolving rapidly, so please refer to the CDC’s dedicated website if you are intending to cruise in one of the affected areas.
Documents
A cruising permit is not obligatory, but permission is needed to move to any different place other than the port of entry. A cruising permit for sailing the coast or visiting other places in Saint Lucia is best requested when clearing in.
Fees
The port authority charges various fees for clearance and navigational aids, which are made up as follows:
1. Occasional license (up to 6 months): Boats up to 40 ft (12 m) EC$50, 41-70 ft (12.4-21 m) EC$80, over 71 ft (22 m) EC$150.
2. Pratique: boats under 100 GRT EC$10 at any time, over 100 GRT EC$20 between 0800 and 1600, EC$40 between 1600 and 0800.
3. Clearance: boats under 40 ft (12 m) EC$5, over 40 ft (12 m) EC$15.
4. Navigational aids: EC$15.
5. Charter boats must pay a licensing fee.
Overtime is payable (EC$100) if clearing in or out after hours or at weekends and on holidays.
Restrictions
Several marine reservations have been established in recent years, where anchoring is normally prohibited. The one at Soufrière has several mooring buoys that have been laid for the use of visiting boats.
SCUBA Diving
Some divers have reported that diving may be restricted without proper authorization from the proper environmental agency. The Soufriere Marine Management Area requires a fee to be paid at a registered diving company prior to diving or snorkeling.
Pets
Animals not allowed ashore without being inspected by a Veterinary Officer.
Be sure to declare you have a pet on board when you visit Customs.
Pets must have a Veterinary Import Permit before entering Saint Lucia. Download the Import Permit form from www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/forms/VeterinaryImportPermit.pdff.
Contact the St. Lucia Chief Veterinary Officer (see details below) to arrange the inspection in advance. Be sure to have a health certificate issued by a vet in your last port of call.
Cats and dogs must:
(1) be electronically identifiable by an acceptable microchip implanted.
(2) Be Vaccinated for Rabies at or over three months of age.
(3) Only travel into Saint Lucia six months (180 days) after date blood test taken.
(4) Be treated no more than 48 hours before entering Saint Lucia with preparation for the treatment of ticks and fleas and with an anthelmintic preparation.
Last updated March 2016.
