Antigua and Barbuda

Yachts must submit an eSeaClear notification before arrival in Antigua and Barbuda and clear customs and immigration at an authorised seaport. Entry is normally completed in Antigua first: immigration states that Barbuda has no official port of entry and requires clearance in Antigua before proceeding there. Confirm berthing and clearance arrangements with customs, immigration or the port authority.

The customs yacht page lists Deep Water Harbour, English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, Heritage Quay, Crabbs Peninsula and Barbuda as clearance locations. Immigration separately states that Barbuda has no official port of entry and that all vessels must clear in Antigua before going there. Do not infer from the customs list alone that Barbuda can handle a first international arrival. Confirm the designated office, availability and berthing arrangements with customs and immigration before arrival.

Every yacht must submit eSeaClear notification before arriving, including vessel particulars and crew/passenger lists. Prepare the previous port's clearance, a complete crew and passenger list, registration certificate and other evidence requested by customs. The customs page requires arrival at a lawful port of entry and reporting to its designated customs office. To request clearance elsewhere, apply to the Comptroller of Customs at least 24 hours before arrival or departure.

Customs and immigration use the vessel's eSeaClear reference and crew/passenger details. Immigration requires passports, lists and registration details. Crew of visa-required nationalities should establish visa or exemption eligibility in advance. Immigration says crew with a valid seaman's book may use it as their main entry document; those without one may need a visa exemption, and repeat visitors are advised to obtain a regular visa. Admission and permitted stay remain at the immigration officer's discretion.

Yachts, including motor yachts, sailing vessels and fishing boats, must submit eSeaClear before arrival, enter at a lawful port of entry and proceed directly to the designated customs office. The skipper must handle clearance; one crew member may accompany them if language assistance is needed. Bring the previous port's clearance, full passenger and crew lists, registration certificate and any other documents customs requests. Do not disembark or enter the country before customs permission. Clearance outside a port of entry requires application to the Comptroller at least 24 hours in advance.

Controlled plants and plant products require an advance import permit from plant protection and, where applicable, a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's plant-protection organisation. Live animals and animal by-products require an advance permit from the veterinary and livestock authority, with health and quarantine conditions specified by that permit. The passenger customs declaration also lists plants, plant products, soil, birds and other live animals/animal products as restricted items. Declare onboard food, pets, planting material and soil, and confirm applicable conditions before arrival. This does not mean all onboard food is prohibited.

Declare all items as customs requires. The official declaration lists plants, plant products, soil, birds, snails, other live animals/animal products, and wildlife and its products as restricted; failure to declare may result in fines or seizure. Controlled plants require advance import permission and phytosanitary documents; animals and their products may require permits and veterinary certificates. Medicines, controlled substances and firearms/ammunition are regulated. Declare firearms and comply with prior-permission or onboard-retention requirements. Do not assume ship's stores are automatically authorised imports; confirm with customs and the relevant agencies beforehand.

After arrival, proceed directly to the customs-designated location within a lawful port of entry. The skipper handles yacht customs clearance, then follows immigration procedures for crew and passengers. If eSeaClear is unavailable, immigration allows a manual process: obtain a vessel-clearance form from customs and submit it to immigration with computer-printed lists and passport copies. Present passports, lists and registration when attending. Seaport office hours vary, approximately 06:00–21:00, and Barbuda immigration has limited weekend service. Notify customs and immigration in advance of arrival times, delays or special requirements, and confirm actual staffing or appointments.

Customs states that each passenger departing by yacht after a stay of more than 24 hours must pay an Embarkation Sea Port Tax of XCD 75 to the Comptroller of Customs; the page also gives an approximate USD 30 equivalent. Do not assume this applies to all crew or every departure method. The page does not comprehensively list other port, berthing, agency or processing fees. Confirm current amounts and who must pay with customs and the port or service provider before departure.