Angola

Foreign recreational yachts arriving at their first Angolan port must obtain clearance from port health, immigration, customs and the harbour master's office (Capitania do Porto). The harbour master determines the yacht's maximum stay in Angolan waters. The skipper must report entry and register the intended route. Charter yachts carrying passengers are also subject to the applicable passenger-vessel procedures.

Maritime border-control units operate at Luanda, Lobito, Soyo, Cabinda and Namibe. Before departure, ask the intended port's harbour master whether it can handle first-entry formalities for a private recreational yacht, and confirm the designated berth or anchorage. Use of commercial-port quays requires the port operator's approval.

The yacht regulations require contact with the national maritime traffic-control authority (ANCTM) to request permission at least 24 hours before entering the exclusive economic zone, and notification to the destination harbour master at least 24 hours before entering territorial waters. Provide the vessel's name, flag, port of registry, identification and principal particulars, numbers and nationalities aboard, destination and route. Separately, merchant-shipping and port legislation requires vessels arriving from abroad to notify the port administration and harbour master of their ETA and other particulars at least 48 hours in advance. These two 24-hour requirements and the 48-hour notice concern different matters. Confirm submission channels and any private-yacht exemptions with the port.

Report to the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME) at the first port. All crew and passengers should carry valid passports and check visa or exemption eligibility by nationality. Nationals listed in Presidential Decree 189/23 may visit without a tourist visa, generally for up to 30 days per visit and 90 days per year, but remain subject to border checks. Anyone requiring a visa should confirm before sailing that it can be used at the intended seaport. Prepare the owner's and crew's passport identity details as required by the yacht regulations.

The yacht and its contents are subject to customs control on entry and departure; customs release is required at the first port. Have registration and other vessel documents ready, and ask first-port customs about declarations for a short visit, any applicable temporary-admission conditions, and how admission is discharged on departure. Prepare proof of third-party liability insurance under the yacht regulations. Apply the relevant exceptions where entry is forced by circumstances or an existing flag-state policy meets the regulations.

Obtain port-health clearance at the first port and have an international yellow-fever vaccination certificate available as the authorities require. Before bringing pets or landing animal products, confirm sanitary permits and official origin-country health certificates with the veterinary authority. Specific yacht rules for onboard food, plants, rubbish, ballast water and hull cleanliness have not been established in this review; confirm them with port health and the veterinary authority before sailing.

Declare onboard weapons, ammunition and gun-type signal launchers to Angolan customs in advance and confirm the permits required. Also check transit rules for items that remain aboard. Items controlled under CITES require the appropriate permits or certificates.

At the first port, no one may embark or disembark and no goods may be transferred until the authorities have boarded, inspected and released the yacht. Within 24 hours of entry, the skipper or authorised representative must submit the Manifesto de Entrada to the harbour master, with authority release documents and the required identity information, stating the route, intended ports, stay and previous port. Be ready for vessel-document, navigation-safety and declaration checks within 48 hours of submitting it. Report itinerary changes to the responsible harbour master at least 24 hours beforehand and obtain endorsement.

At least 24 hours before leaving Angolan waters, resubmit the relevant arrival/departure declaration under the yacht regulations, complete the authorities' formalities and obtain the harbour master's departure permit (Alvará de Saída). Tariff Regulation 634/22 exempts recreational craft from port-entry and berthing charges where they undertake no commercial activity, measure no more than 20 TAB gross tonnage and stay no longer than 24 hours. Confirm other port and maritime-service charges with the clearance port.