Haiti

Scope

A July 2026 update by Noonsite says Haiti is experiencing a severe security and humanitarian crisis and advises against ordinary recreational cruising. Older port reports reflect past conditions only.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Haiti – Noonsite

Navigational safety notice (not a real-time alert): Port operations, security conditions, international sanctions and insurance coverage in this region may change at any time. Before departure, check your flag state's travel advice, navigational warnings (MSI/NAVAREA), maritime security information and your vessel's insurance terms. This database does not provide real-time clearance to transit.

Ports of entry and departure

Do not treat a historical list of clearance ports as proof that a port is currently operating or safe to receive a yacht. First confirm that the responsible authorities are operational and that emergency evacuation arrangements are available.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Haiti – Noonsite

Haiti's official iKat system allows travellers to submit arrival and departure information online and recommends doing so at least 72 hours before departure. Public information does not say whether this applies to all private-yacht crew. Before sailing, the yacht's master should confirm with the seaport and immigration authorities whether iKat and any other vessel pre-arrival notice are required.

Haiti's Directorate of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) iKat electronic arrival/departure form applies to travellers entering or leaving Haiti. The official portal lists seaports and says the QR code is used during health and customs checks. Complete the form for each traveller and retain the QR code; it does not replace yacht customs clearance, visas or crew formalities. Official pages give conflicting advance-notice periods: the page introduction says 72 hours, the FAQ says 48 hours, and a government announcement requires sea, land and air travellers to declare 72 hours in advance. Before departure, check the current iKat form and confirm the applicable deadline with DIE or a port agent.

Vessel customs

Article 111 bis of Haiti's 2023 Customs Code lists “temporary admission declaration for means of transport owned by non-residents” and “declaration for entry and exit of recreational vessels” as separate customs declaration categories. It says the Minister of Economy and Finance will issue a separate notice setting their implementation conditions. The article confirms that these declaration categories exist, but does not establish how long a foreign private yacht may stay duty-free, whether a guarantee is required, which vessel or onboard-item documents must be submitted, or whether the declaration replaces other customs and border formalities.

Before departure, obtain written confirmation from customs and the port authority about this vessel's temporary admission, entry/exit declaration, and crew and passenger formalities. Do not infer current requirements from yacht provisions in the superseded 1987 Customs Code.

Official sources: Haiti General Customs Administration: Customs Code (including 2023 edition)；2023 Customs Code in the official gazette (PDF).

Verification status: Officially checked online. The 2023 Code's declaration categories have been verified; the implementing notice, applicable periods and actual procedures remain to be confirmed.

Quarantine and biosecurity

The source reports shortages of fuel, food and drinking water, as well as cholera risk. Check whether health services can receive the vessel; do not assume older quarantine procedures indicate current safety.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Haiti – Noonsite

Article 42 of Haiti's 2023 Customs Code lists restricted categories including animals and goods subject to health, veterinary or phytosanitary controls; narcotic or psychotropic substances without authorization or declaration; firearms, explosives, dangerous or military weapons and ammunition; controlled dual-use items; obscene material; and toxic waste. This is a general customs rule, not a complete list of yacht stores. Confirm with Haiti's General Customs Administration (AGD), based on the specific item and current notices, whether personal-use items aboard may be carried and whether a permit or declaration is required.

Arrival procedures

Article 111 bis of Haiti's 2023 Customs Code identifies “declaration for entry and exit of recreational vessels” as a customs declaration category and says that the minister responsible for economic and financial affairs will issue a separate notice setting the implementation conditions. This review did not find that notice, an actual form, a filing desk, a standard deadline or a list of ports that accept applications. The provision does not establish that every port can clear foreign private yachts.

Before departure, confirm the arrival location, crew and passenger formalities, arrival/departure declaration method and office arrangements with customs, the port authority and the maritime authority at the intended port. Obtain a clear response before planning to go ashore or sail between ports. Do not infer the current process from yacht provisions in the superseded 1987 Customs Code.

Official sources: Haiti General Customs Administration: Customs Code (including 2023 edition)；2023 Customs Code in the official gazette (PDF).

Verification status: Officially checked online. The Code's recreational-vessel entry/exit declaration category has been verified; its implementing notice and port processing capability remain to be confirmed.

Article 111 bis of Haiti's 2023 Customs Code expressly provides for entry and departure declarations for recreational vessels, with implementation conditions to be set by a later notice from the Minister of Economy and Finance. Article 115 also provides for an information-technology fee for customs clearance operations, with the amount to be set by ministerial notice. Available official sources did not confirm the declaration procedure for foreign private yachts, the fee amount, port or berth charges, overtime fees, departure-clearance documents or cancellation of a vessel's temporary admission. A total yacht-clearance cost therefore cannot be given. Before departure, confirm current procedures and fees separately with customs, immigration and maritime authorities at the designated port, and obtain receipts. Do not use aviation charges or provisions from the 1987 Code as current yacht rates.

Official sources: Haiti 2023 Customs Code；General Customs Administration: Customs Code.

Verification status: To be confirmed. The provisions for recreational-vessel declarations and customs processing fees were checked, but no implementing notice or amount applicable to yachts was found.