Turks & Caicos - Clearance
Turks and Caicos Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Since February 2023, skippers must use SailClear to submit information about their voyage to Customs and Immigration at least 24 hours before arrival or departure.
For a full explanation of SailClear see report: Eastern Caribbean Cruising: Clearance Procedures Simplified.
All visitors must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for citizens of many countries including most western and northern European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Nationals of certain countries require visas to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. See Immigration for further details.
Ensure you have the required permits if you are traveling with an animal, a large quantity of food, plants, firearms and ammunition, and explosives. See Pets and Restrictions for more information.
Advance Notification
The Turks and Caicos Government operate a radar surveillance station that monitors vessels entering and departing their territorial waters. Vessels entering or leaving the twelve-mile limit can contact the station by calling “Provo Radio”. The station operates 24/7 on VHF Channels 16 and 64 and also broadcasts navigational warnings and weather forecasts. [Note: cruisers have reported not getting any answer during the weekends.]
The radar and radio transmitters are mounted on a 40-meter tower located in the South Dock area on Providenciales at 21° 44.44′ N/72° 16.26′ W.
When within range of the harbor, try to call the Harbour Master on VHF channel 16. They do not however always monitor the radio, particularly if it is a cruise ship day.
Customs: +1 649-338-6232
Ports of Entry
Your initial stop, once you arrive in the islands, must be at a port-of-entry. These include government docks and marinas at Grand Turk (Cockburn Town), Providenciales and South Caicos. See the port links for more details. Some of the marinas that have difficult entrances can be contacted on channels 16 or 68, either for advice, or they may send out a pilot boat, for which a charge is usually made.
Marinas at the ports of entry typically arrange clearance formalities on behalf of the vessels booked to stay with them. They can also be used to assist other cruisers, some charge a fee for this service.
Useful Link: Visit Turks and Caicos Islands Marinas and Harbors
Turks and Caicos Arrival Procedures for Yachts
General Procedure
Display the Q- flag and travel directly to the port of entry.
Vessels waiting to clear-in should either anchor in the designated anchorage zone or moor alongside the appointed dock and await the boarding officer. Marinas at the ports of entry typically arrange clearance formalities on behalf of vessel’s berthing with them. The marinas can also be used to assist other cruisers, some charge a fee for this service.
If necessary, only the skipper should go ashore to perform Clearance Formalities with their SailClear notification ID number, crew passports and boat paperwork. See Documents for additional information. Note: It is an offence to go ashore without clearance.
Customs regular working hours are 08:00 to 16:30, Monday through Thursday and 08:00 to 16:00 on Friday with a lunch break every day from 12:30 to 14:00. Overtime charges apply when being processed outside of regular working hours. See the Turks and Caicos Customs Vessel Clearance website for hours and overtime rates.
Depending on the arrival time, occupants of the vessel may be required to remain on board overnight before being cleared the following day. Note: Penalties, including forfeiture of your vessel, can be applied if clearance is not done within 24 hours of arrival.
See Immigration and Customs for additional information.
All food and animals must be kept secured until the vessel has been inspected by Customs officers and/or Agriculture Officer. See Restrictions for more information.
Details of all expected charges can be found under Fees.
Domestic Cruising in Turks and Caicos
If planning to stay in Turks & Caicos for more than seven (7) days, a Cruising Permit will be required. See Fees for more information.
See Restrictions for information regarding National Parks Regulations and regulations that affect cruising while in Turks and Caicos Island waters.
Turks and Caicos Departure Procedures for Yachts
Customs clearance is required before a pleasure craft can depart. This is available at any designated port of entry. The skipper should submit a notice in advance through SailClear.
Note: It is an offence to depart without clearance.
It is important to ensure that the information in SailClear remains up to date. If you decide to extend your stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is the skipper’s responsibility to update the outbound notification in SailClear.
Details of all expected charges can be found under Fees.
Useful links:
Turks and Caicos Customs Checklist for Yachters
Turks and Caicos Customs Vessel Clearance website
Visit Turks & Caicos Islands – Getting Here by Yacht
Last updated: December 2024
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Next Section: Formalities: Clearance Agents
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Check your ENTIRE boat ,luggage for firearms & ammunition, if caught with either penalties are severe 12 years in jail
any more recent checkin comments
Hi Christopher, there doesn’t look to be any recent comments posted by cruisers visiting T&C, but our formalities info. was updated this time last year. I have just got in touch with the authorities there to check for any changes in procedures and fees and will advise when I get a reply. I’ve not heard of anything in the last 12 months, so it’s likely all is still the same – see https://www.noonsite.com/place/turks-caicos/view/clearance/.
Just a quick update on clearing in at Sapodilla Bay. The customs office at the South Dock is not accessible by boat or dinghy as it is located in a working dockyard. You can however beach your dinghy at the access path between resort properties and walk to the main road and take a right and a right again to get to the yard. You will be given hardhat and vest and directed to office. Clearance was very easy otherwise. Note that the office does not have any idea what Sailclear is at this point, nor do they take credit cards. Optionally, they suggested that it may be easier for cruisers to head to South Side Marina to check in and then find anchorage once cleared. Sapodilla Bay is not within walking distance to any amenities or services but the holding was good in 10 feet of water with protection from North and East.