Entry documents

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Shadowcruzr

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We are in the planning stages for a June 2010 trip to Bimini with 3 boats.
Can anyone list the entry documents needed to get in? Is there a website with the documents?

WHen I went in 2001 with the first Boatered FLotilla we had all the documents filled out before we got there and I'd like to do that again.
 
Boat registration info, passports is all I remember needing. But it's been a while. Pascal was there not to long ago, he'd know. At Bahamas.com you can down load the documents you need. And don't forget to get your $25 US customs sticker. And you might look into getting your LBO as well.
 
LBO = Local Boater Option

"Customs and Border Protection Offers "Local Boater Option" for US Citizens
More Editorial by J. Summer Westman
February 2007 Issue

What is the Local Boater Option?
The Local Boater Option (LBO) is, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a part of their “comprehensive effort to improve security at our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel, including private boaters.” What this means is that boaters can register with CPB, and then phone-in their entry into the U.S. from a foreign country, instead of reporting in person. (However, CBP does reserve the authority to inspect a vessel and passengers in person.)

When does the Local Boater option go into effect?
The LBO is in effect now. Boaters may take advantage of the LBO just as soon as they sign up for a Boater Registration Number (BR#).

Who is eligible?
All US citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US (14 years of age and older) are eligible to participate in the LBO. The program is for boaters, not boats, though the master of a vessel will be required to provide vessel information, such as the vessel’s name, color, registration number, size, type and manufacturer.

Who is NOT eligible?
Non-US citizens, paying passengers (such as those on a day charter boat), and paid crew on cargo boats are not eligible to use the LBO. The LBO is only available to private, non-commercial boaters who are US citizens and legal permanent resident (green card holders).

Why should I sign up?
Signing up for the LBO will facilitate your entry into the US from a foreign country. Once you have obtained a BR#, your entry into the US can be processed over the phone by CBP. Agriculture requirements can be satisfied over the phone, as well. If everyone onboard an incoming vessel has a BR#, then the vessel and passengers will not have to report for inspection, unless requested to do so by CBP.

How and where do I sign up?
Make an appointment to sign up for the Local Boater Option at local ports of entry in the USVI by calling: Port of St. Thomas (340-774-6755); Port of St. Croix (340-773-1011); and Port of St. John (340-776-6741).

In Puerto Rico, the locations are: Port of San Juan (787-729-6600 or 787-289-7963); Port of Fajardo (787-863-0950, -0102 and -4075); Port of Ponce (787-841-3130, -3131, and -3132); and Port of Mayaguez (787-831-3311, -3368, and 787-831-3440, -3369).

South Florida ports of entry include: Key West (305-296-2233); Port Everglades (954-761-2000); West Palm Beach (561-848-6922); and Port of Miami (305-536-4758).

What documents to do I need to bring to my sign-up appointment?
Each boater who is 14 year of age and older must present a US government-issued ID, such as a US passport, US military ID, or driver’s license and birth certificate. Children under 14 may be included in their parents’ BR#, and should use that number when entering the US.

What happens if I don’t participate in the LBO?
Nothing. Participation in the LBO is voluntary and free of charge. However, if you fail to report your entry into the US, either in person or over the phone, the result can be penalties ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, seizure of your vessel, and jail time. The LBO offers an easy way for you to comply with the law.

If you have any questions about the Local Boater Option, call your local port of entry, or visit www.cbp.gov/zp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/. "
 
There was quite a bit of paperwork we had to fill out. They handed us a mess of forms and I went back to the boat and filled them all out. They would not even pump fuel here at West End before we checked in and had the courtesy flag up.
Perhaps they are available online from the Bahamian Gov't sites? I think some of the paper was all legal size to boot.
You'll need;
Passports
Vessel Documentation/registration
if you have guns get ready for more paperwork...
If you have pets there is additional permitting from the ministry of agriculter.
 
We arrived back in the US on Thursday and I have to thank the folks at Customs and Border Patrol in Riviera Beach. They were all polite, did a great job and even reminded me about the S.O's birthday in an amusing manner.
I'll recommend the effort to get the LBO prior to leaving so you don't have to walk to or drive to check in upon return. If the weather is lousy prior to departure and you will be delayed, take the time to check in and get the LBO.
Even without it, the folks are great.
 
LBO is fine as long as you always go back and forth with the same people, otherwise you have to go to immigration anyway... :(

here is one set of forms:

http://www.atlantis.com/content/pdf/bahamasclearance_imm.pdf

you will still need the immigration cards (one per person), can't DL those. Most marinas have the forms ready for you when you come in.

make sure you take you Doc or Reg when you go to the customs/img office. both in the bahamas and when returning to the US. You dont' need to bring dinghies and jetski registration but need to declare them when clearing in the bahamas

you can get the US Customs Sticker online, although it's a painful process registering for the site, placing the order, etc... the site is really designed for big fleets, not private boaters.
 
So I printed out all the forms and filled them out. Try as I might I could not find out exactly where to present them in physical form. Had to call Ft. Myers who referred me to Miami who finally gave me a local West Palm Beach address and phone number to call in:
1 East 11th St., Riviera Beach, FL. 8-4 p.m., Mon-Fri., and when returning, call
1-800-432-1216. Otherwise it is a hike to the regional airport. Government websites are damned poor sources of concrete information. That West Palm Beach phone number is a recording which goes on and on and .......
 
And further more.....
Though the Customs advertises their hours as "8-4" weekdays, the fact of the matter that their hours are "9-3" on weekdays and you must call and schedule an appointment which are at thirty minute intervals. You must bring your vessel registration/documentation with you since they want to know if your boat is over 30 ft. so they can charge you twenty five bucks. I printed out the forms from the this thread and accomplished the task quickly. Don't think that you can just walk in an obtain your LBO. The bureaucracy must be served! Otherwise it went quite smoothly on return to the U.S. after being put on hold and having to call back. The LBO number is "good for life".
 
LBO is really good for life? I thought it was just annual? And isn't that customs sticker more like $35? I always buy it in January as it's a calendar year thing.

Twice now I haven't had a problem at West End. Last month we fueled up, took a slip, and then checked in with Bahamian Customs. No issues at all (and firearms are not a problem, if you are interesting in bringing some extra insurance with you). Although the forms are rather funny:

No, the rats onboard our boat don't seem to be carrying any diseases.

No, none of the crew seems to be suffering from scurvy.

However, I did notice the copyright information at the bottom of the Bahamian forms dated 1652 :-)
 
Yes, you are correct in that the vessel registration is more than twenty five dollars if your vessel is over, I believe, thirty feet in length. Otherwise it is free. I was informed that the LBO is "good for life".
We saw no need to dock our boat. We just pulled up on the very high dock next to Bahamian Customs, tied up and vaulted up from our deck. They replaced my form which I printed out from their website with their new form and I had to fill it out again with the same information. Like the guy said, they ask you two questions: 1) Do you have $150? 2) Do you have it on you?
 
Yup. Cash is king. Don't leave home without it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

you can get the US Customs Sticker online, although it's a painful process registering for the site, placing the order, etc... the site is really designed for big fleets, not private boaters.

Click to expand...


You got that right. The new site is a pain. I think most of the problem was signing up for the new process. Hopefully next year’s renewal will go smoother. Tip…for those that haven’t done it yet you have to know the # on last year sticker to proceed.

Niles
 
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