Explore: St. Vincent & the Grenadines - Formalities
Clearance
Arrival:
Visiting yachts arriving in St Vincent territorial waters must proceed to a port of entry to clear in before stopping in any other port or anchorage.
Fly the ‘Q’ flag and dock or anchor in the port of entry.
It is now necessary for all crew to go ashore and present themselves to Immigration with their passports (if 13 or fewer people on board).
Documents required include three crew lists, clearance from previous port, passports and ship’s papers. Clearance must also be done with the Port Authority and Customs.
Be sure to clear in as soon as you arrive. Customs offices operate 7 days a week.
A cruising permit is issued for one month and is renewable.
Departure:
It is necessary to clear out at one of the official clearance ports. Once again, all crew must visit Immigration on departure as well as on arrival.
For southbound boats, formalities are simplest at Clifton on Union Island where you can clear Customs in the port, but Immigration is based at the airport, which is very close.
Yachts are given 24 hours after check-out from which they must depart St. Vincent waters.
Last updated: May 2019
Immigration
All persons require a valid passport.
Visitor permits are granted on arrival to most nationals (including UK, USA, Canada, Australia, most EU countries) and no visas are required.
The length of stay is determined by Immigration officials on arrival, generally 30 days.
Citizens of the European Union are now permitted a stay of 90 days in any 180 day period (similar to Schengen rules), however, some EU cruisers have reported being granted 6 months on arrival.
Citizens from Caricom countries are normally permitted to stay for up to 6 months, providing they have funds to cover their stay.
For details of which countries require visas in advance of arrival, follow the Immigration link below.
Last updated: February 2019
Customs
Firearms must be declared on arrival and can be sealed on board, but if a yacht has no suitable locker, the firearms will be held in the custody of Customs or police until departure.
Spearfishing equipment is not allowed.
A yacht may stay up to one year, subject to immigration requirements, provided Customs is satisfied that it is a genuine visiting yacht.
Medication must be in the original container with name, date and issuing pharmacy.
Last updated March 2018.
Health
Standard vaccines are adequate.
Whilst water is from a reservoir and is likely potable, it may not taste or smell good due to the treatments used. Bottled water is readily available and recommended.
Hospitals and medical clinics in St.Vincent & the Grenadines are limited. Most severe conditions require evacuation from the island.
There is NO hyperbaric chamber in St.Vincent & the Grenadines. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Barbados at the Defense Force Headquarters in Bridgetown. There is an emergency helicopter available.
Barbados Defense Force Headquarters
St.Ann’s Fort, Garrison, Bridgetown Barbados
+1 246 436 5483
Documents
A cruising permit for one month will be granted by customs or Port Department on clearing in if they are satisfied that the voyage is for cruising purposes only. This is renewable.
The following documents are needed upon arrival:
- Three crew lists (not asked for in every clearance port)
- Clearance from the previous port
- Passports
- Ship’s papers and documentation
Last updated: March 2018.
Fees
These fees are applicable to all the Ports of Entry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, whether you check in on the mainland or in one of the Islands.
Children under the age of 12 and Vincentian nationals are exempt from paying taxes.
Immigration: $37.50 XCD per person (for one month). One additional month permitted, with payment.
Customs:
Cruising Permit/License (one month)
- Up to 30 feet: $60 XCD
- 31-50 feet: $125 XCD
- 51 feet and over: $140 XCD
The permit is renewable after a month or you can pay more for longer.
Overtime fees for Customs are payable outside of working hours and on Sundays and holidays. Fees can be paid in Euros.
Last updated: December 2018
Charter Yachts:
Fees are payable by yachts that are chartering, and are not locally based, as follows:
- For bareboat charters, up to 30 feet, a monthly licence of $100 XCD;
- For 31-50 feet, $125 XCD per month;
- For bareboats over 51 feet, $140 XCD per month.
- For crewed charter yachts (not locally based), the licence fee is $5 XCD per foot per month or $30 XCD per foot per year.
- Locally based charter yachts pay approximately half these licence fees.
Last updated: December 2017
Restrictions
No swimsuits to be worn in towns or any business place in town or in the streets.
Fishing:
The use of spearguns or quantity fishing is not allowed unless written approval is given by the Fisheries Department. A request for this permit may be made to Customs on arrival.
Trolling and handlining a few fish for one’s own consumption is allowed. There is a closed season for lobsters from 1 May to 31 August, and for turtles from 1 March to 31 July.
There are several areas where all fishing is forbidden.
The removal of coral is forbidden.
It is illegal to wear or import camouflage clothing in St Vincent & the Grenadines.
For full details on the Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) see their website http://www.tobagocays.org/, which includes rules and regulations, a zone map, and lots of useful information to make your stay here more enjoyable.
Pets
WARNING:
Poison is regularly used on the islands where sheep and goats are roaming free. Read this report so you can take due care of your pets when visiting SVG.
Procedure for Pets
There are strict rules on pets entering St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
However, the Chief Veterinarian Dr Natalie Toney has advised that dogs are now permitted in St Vincents. The six month quarantine is no longer required.
Documents to be provided include an official health certificate, FAVN blood test, Lymes blood test, heart worm test, treatment for ticks, fleas and parasites and identification chip.
The Blue Lagoon Marina is the only location to clear in a dog and Dr Toney will meet cruisers there to inspect and clear your pet.
For further details contact:
Dr Natalie Toney
Last updated: August 2019
