Explore: St. Lucia - Formalities
Clearance
COVID-19 coronavirus: New procedures are in place for arriving yachts. See Biosecurity for more details.
PRE-ARRIVAL
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: Soufriere does not use SailClear.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Ports of Entry:
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, only Rodney Bay Marina and Soufriere Port can be used as Ports of Entry. These 2 ports have health officials and all yachts must check-in with Port Health before clearing with Customs and Immigration.
General Process:
All yachts must check-in with Port Health before clearing with Customs and Immigration.
A crew list and the filled-out maritime declaration of health must be presented to the port health officer on arrival.
You must obtain a customs clearance within 24 hours of arriving in St. Lucia. Do not leave your yacht before receiving clearance from customs officials (other than for emergency purposes).
The captain should report to customs officials with the following documentation:
- Ship’s papers showing ownership and the nature of business in which the vessel is primarily engaged
- Clearance documentation for last port prior to Saint Lucia that includes a Customs Declaration
- Passports for all crew and passengers and any appropriate visas
There is a clearance overtime fee if you make your clearance with Customs on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
CLEARING OUT
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.
Links: Saint Lucia Navigation and Clearance – from the the Tourist Board
Last updated: March 2020
Related Businesses
Customs & Immigration Office – Rodney Bay
Address: Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia,
Immigration
Immigration Procedure:
Visitors to St. Lucia can request to stay for up to three months.
Foreign nationals from some countries intending to visit St. Lucia for business, pleasure or study have to obtain a valid visa.
See this website –  www.govt.lc- for a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for a visa-free stay and those who require a visa.
For a list of requirements when applying for a visa, visit the official website of the government of St. Lucia.
Visa Extensions:
You must apply for an extension in person at the main Immigration Office in Castries.
Immigration officials have the power to grant visiting yachtsmen up to a six months stay.
Other Visa Information:
Immigration offices are normally open from 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.
Incoming Crew and Guests:
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.
Related Businesses
Immigration Department – St. Lucia
Address: Visa Office, St. Lucia,
Applications for visas are processed by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Contact the Immigration Department for more information.... Read More
Customs
Arriving by Yacht:
Length of Stay: Visiting yachts may request up to 3 months stay. Application for extension must be made in person at the main Immigration Office in Castries and carries a fee of EC$100 per 21-day period.
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.
Other items:
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.
Last updated: January 2020
BioSecurity
While the protocols below are as accurate as per the last date recorded, the situation is constantly changing with regards to Covid-19 protocols for yacht arrivals and skippers should always check with their intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
11 February, 2021
- All arriving vessels are strongly recommended to use an agent.
- ALL crew on vessels must complete a Maritime Declaration of Health.
- Register with https://www.sailclear.com/ before leaving the previous port.
- ALL vessels must arrive in St. Lucia with negative PCR test results for all crew taken no more than 7 days before arrival.
- The CARICOM travel bubble has been suspended.
- All vessels must quarantine for 14 days – although days at sea will be taken into account:
– No crew arriving on the vessel will be allowed off the vessel within the 14 day period.
– There will be daily monitoring of all crew health on board by a registered nurse.
– All necessities can be ordered via the marina using VHF/e-mail.
– All crew must wear face masks on board when outside their cabin.
– Police will make patrols to ensure all rules are being adhered to.
– The violation of quarantine is an offence and punishable by fines or imprisonment. - It is possible to take a COVID-19 rt-PCR test on arrival at your own expense (notify Port Health that this is required).
- Reserve marina space at your port of entry no later than 72hrs before arrival.
- Contact Port Health (see below) 48 hours prior to arrival with the following information:
– Name of Vessel, Arrival Date and ETA
– Passport picture pages of all on board
– Completed Maritime Declaration of Health - A PCR test in St. Lucia (if needed to travel off island) can be done in Gros-Islet Polyclinic (near Rodney Bay) M-F 0800-1600. USD100/test, 3 days to get results.
Contact:
The Government website is recommending yacht skippers contact the Port Health Authority and/or marina for the latest information:
- IGY Rodney Bay Marina: [email protected]
- Rodney Bay Covid Fact Sheet
- https://www.igymarinas.com/article/rodney-bay-marina-info-covid-19
- Port Health at IGY Rodney Bay Marina: [email protected]
- Marigot Bay Marina: [email protected]
- Port Health at Marigot Bay Marina: [email protected].
History:
- Prior to border closures in March, clearance ports were reduced to just Rodney Bay or Soufriere and a crew list and Maritime Declaration had to be presented to the Port Health officer on arrival.
- Yachting and pleasure craft arrivals were suspended on 16 March, 2020.
- The country went into lockdown.
- Boats in transit were still permitted to stop and anchor overnight if traveling north or south, as long as no crew went ashore.
- Air travel resumed on 04 June, 2020 – for flights from the USA only.
- Maritime borders opened on 08 July, 2020 and yachting protocols were implemented. These protocols have hardly changed throughout.
- Marigot Bay Marina opened as a port of entry on 15 July, 2020.
Resources:
- https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/marine-protocols/
- https://www.covid19response.lc/
- https://www.igymarinas.com/article/rodney-bay-marina-info-covid-19
Reports:
Related Businesses
Ministry of Health and Wellness – St. Lucia
Address: 2nd Floor Sir Stanislaus James Building, Waterfront, Castries, St. Lucia,
Health
The main public medical facilities can be found in Castries and Vieux Fort, as well as smaller clinics around the island. Unfortunately the public system is slow and inefficient. The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment but serious cases may require emergency evacuation.
There are good private clinics in the north of the island, the best of which is the Tapion Hospital just south of Castries. But, medical treatment in St Lucia can be expensive and before choosing to be treated at a private facility, you should check their policies on pre-payment. Private clinics may not accept medical travel insurance as payment for treatment.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
No special vaccinations are required to visit St Lucia. If you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country you will be required to show proof of vaccination.
Food and Water Concerns:
Tap water is safe to drink in St Lucia.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
There are increasing trends of Dengue viral infection in St. Lucia. In August 2020, the Ministry of Health and Wellness declared an outbreak of Dengue Fever. To date (October 09), Saint Lucia has recorded a total of 540 confirmed cases of Dengue Fever. There has also been one reported Dengue-related death. Although cases have been identified throughout the island, most of the confirmed cases are concentrated in the northern region in areas such as Castries, Gros Islet and Central Babonneau.
St Lucia has a risk of Zika virus transmission. Because of the risks to pregnancy, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.
Cases of Chikungunya virus have been confirmed in St Lucia. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Prevention:
- Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin.
- Re-apply according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Wear neutral-coloured (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
- Pre-soak or spray outer layer clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Ensure that hatch and window screens work properly.
Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.
Ministry of Health and Wellness
Hospitals:
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Clearance: boats under 40 ft (12 m) EC$5, over 40 ft (12 m) EC$15.
- Navigational aids: EC$15.
- 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.
Extension of stay fees (beyond 3 months): EC$100 per 21-day period
Last updated: October 2020
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.
Local Customs
Clearance Agents
Harmony Yacht Services: www.harmonyyachtservices.com, [email protected], Tel: (758)486 4035
Cox & Company: www.coxcoltd.com/yachting-services, [email protected], Tel: (758) 456 5000/5065
Pets
Animals are 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:
- Be electronically identifiable by an acceptable microchip implanted.
- Vaccinated for Rabies at or over three months of age.
- Only travel into Saint Lucia six months (180 days) after date blood test taken.
- 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.
Related Businesses
Dr. Scotland Vet Hospital
Address: John Compton Highway, P.O Box 1218, Castries, St. Lucia,
Recommended by cruisers.... Read More
St Lucia Ministry of Agriculture
Address: St. Lucia,
This website page has links to the details for importing various pets.
Alternative email [email protected] Read More
