SVG Yacht Clearance Checklist: Paperwork, Fees & Timing

SVG Yacht Clearance Checklist

Clearing in and out of St Vincent and the Grenadines is straightforward once you know which port to use and exactly which paperwork Customs, Immigration and Port Authority expect. This guide walks captains and crew through every step, with the timing that keeps your guests on schedule.

Where to clear

Ports of entry are Chateaubelair, Wallilabou Bay, Blue Lagoon and Young Island (St Vincent), Port Elizabeth (Bequia), Clifton (Union Island), Canouan Airport (Canouan) and Mustique Airport (Mustique). Ask us about clearing from other locations or anchorages. Choose the port nearest your first cruising ground — most charter yachts arriving from Martinique clear at Bequia; vessels coming up from Grenada clear at Union.

Documents to have ready

• Vessel registration certificate
• Last port of call clearance
• Crew list (with passport numbers, expiry dates, nationalities)
• Guest list (with passport numbers and arrival/departure dates)
• Stores list (alcohol, tobacco, fuel)
• Health declaration if applicable
• Original passports

Charter operations also need the charter agreement and passenger manifest. SailClear pre-arrival notification is recommended at least 24 hours before arrival and is mandatory for many vessels over 24m.

Fees you should budget for

Fees vary by length, tonnage, port and whether you arrive on a weekend or after hours. As a working guide for a 30m motor yacht with eight crew clearing at Bequia on a weekday: Customs overtime is waived, Immigration is a flat per-head charge, Port Authority is tonnage-based, and a navigational aid fee applies. Weekend and after-hours clearance adds overtime to every desk. Using an SVG-licenced yacht agent gives you a single consolidated invoice and is often cheaper than paying the desks individually.

How long it takes

Unaccompanied, clearance takes 60–120 minutes on a quiet day, longer when a cruise ship is in. With an agent meeting you on the dock with paperwork pre-filled, expect 20–40 minutes. Plan to clear before lunchtime; afternoon queues are reliably longer.

Common mistakes

• Arriving without a SailClear submission
• Listing a guest who is actually crew (or vice versa) — every name must match the manifest you submit
• Forgetting stores or firearms — both must be declared on arrival
• Assuming you can clear at a location that is not a port of entry — ask us first

If you want SVG Yacht Services to handle clearance, send us your ETA and crew list 24 hours before arrival and we will meet you at the dock.