India

Scope

This entry verifies only the official visiting-yacht procedure for Cochin (Kochi), India. It should not be assumed that procedures are identical at other Indian ports.

Official reference (specific requirements in this section have not each been checked online): Visiting Crafts

Ports of entry and departure

Official yacht-clearance procedure documents are available for at least Cochin (Kochi) and Chennai. Cochin Port and Chennai Port have each published arrival and departure procedures for private/sailing yachts. These documents are not a complete national list of approved ports of entry in India. If planning to arrive at another port, first confirm with its authority that it receives foreign private yachts and has clearance facilities.

Official sources: Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure · Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure

Pre-arrival notification

The yacht procedures published by Cochin Port and Chennai Port both require a Ship Security Advance Notification (PANS) at least 96 hours before the expected arrival. Information includes the vessel name and flag, registration details, dimensions/draught, ETA, previous and next ports, master and crew/passenger details, visa information and declaration of weapons aboard. The applicable form, recipient and agent arrangements depend on the procedure published by the intended port. The 96-hour requirement is supported by official documents for Cochin and Chennai; do not infer that other Indian ports use the same process.

Official sources: Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure · Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure

Crew and passenger entry

Chennai Port's yacht procedure expressly requires everyone aboard to hold a valid Indian visa. The PANS must include passenger/crew lists, nationality, passport number and expiry date, and visa category and expiry date. Cochin Port's procedure also requires valid passports and Indian visas, and people may go ashore only after the relevant authorities complete entry formalities. Visa eligibility and permitted stay must still be checked for each person's nationality, visa category and actual arrival arrangements with Indian immigration. Do not apply air-travel or cruise-ship concessions to a private yacht.

Official sources: Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure · Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure

Vessel customs

Cochin Customs' visiting-craft guidance requires the master to report to customs after arrival and before departure, provide the prescribed forms and crew/passenger details, and present the yacht's original registration. Before departure, obtain port and immigration clearance first, then complete customs departure formalities. Cochin Customs also requires relevant permissions before certain actions, including moving the yacht within the port, dismantling vessel equipment, embarking or disembarking people, or taking on fuel/supplies beyond what is needed during the stay. Cochin's procedure should not automatically be applied at other ports. Confirm temporary import, duty-free period, bond and repair requirements in writing with customs at the intended port.

Official sources: Cochin Customs Visiting Crafts · Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure

Quarantine and biosecurity

Prepare vessel health documents according to the arrival port's procedure. Chennai Port requires a maritime health declaration, voyage details, crew/passenger list and, as required, vaccination certificates, a ship sanitation certificate, medicine-chest certificate, medical-equipment list and recent medical records for submission to the Port Health Authority. The authority may require a quarantine inspection first. This list is specific to Chennai Port's yacht procedure, and health requirements may change with public-health conditions. India's AQCS pet guidance addresses passenger-baggage rules and similar situations; it does not by itself establish that pets may enter by yacht. Before carrying pets, food, plants or animal products, obtain confirmation for this vessel and port from the port health and quarantine authorities.

Official sources: Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure · India Animal Quarantine and Certification Services FAQ

Restricted items

The yacht pre-arrival notifications for Cochin and Chennai both require disclosure of whether weapons are aboard. A declaration is not authorization to carry or use them in Indian waters. Before carrying firearms, ammunition, spearguns, pyrotechnic signals, drones, controlled drugs, antiquities or wildlife products, provide the type, quantity, purpose and onboard storage details to the port, customs and relevant authorities, and obtain written permits and handling instructions. A complete restricted-items list and a uniform yacht-specific cash-declaration threshold have not been established here.

Official sources: Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure · Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure

Arrival procedures

As a yacht approaches Cochin, contact Port Control by VHF and report the ETA. Arrange a vessel agent as required by the port procedure; the port coordinates separate processing by health, customs, immigration and security authorities. Chennai Port tells yachts without prior arrangements to contact Port VTMS on VHF 16/10 and may direct them to an inspection anchorage or safe berth. For departure from Cochin, first obtain port, customs and immigration clearance, then receive departure permission from Port Control. Chennai also requires port charges to be settled, a No-Dues Certificate issued and clearances obtained from the relevant authorities. Follow the latest instructions from the port concerned for frequencies, berth and sequence.

Official sources: Cochin Port yacht arrival and departure procedure · Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure

Fees and departure

No uniform total clearance price covering all Indian ports and private yachts was found. Chennai Port's official yacht procedure requires port charges to be paid and a No-Dues Certificate (NDC) obtained before departure, followed by health, customs and immigration departure formalities and final sailing permission from the port. The document does not state a single total amount. Agent, berth, pilotage, overtime and other port services may cost extra. Request an itemized quotation and receipts from the port and agent, and confirm the currency, billing unit and taxes.

Official source: Chennai Port sailing yacht procedure