Iraq

A U.S. Department of State travel advisory issued 23 October 2026 advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Iraq, citing risks including terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, crime and medical limitations. The advisory is for U.S. citizens, is not a real-time maritime-transit notice and does not establish that Iraqi ports are under attack. The U.S. NGA Sailing Directions say Iraq separately publishes vessel categories accepted at ports and port status. Before arriving by sea, verify designated-port status and private-yacht acceptance with Iraqi port and relevant authorities, and obtain written confirmation for this vessel and voyage.

The Iraqi General Commission for Taxes directory of border crossings lists several seaports, including Umm Qasr North, Umm Qasr South, Khor, Al Maqal and Abu Flus. The directory does not confirm that all currently receive foreign private yachts or process Immigration and Customs. The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Pub. 160 says Iraq may separately publish vessel availability and restrictions; confirm current requirements with Iraqi port authorities. Before sailing, obtain written confirmation of the port of entry and receiving arrangements for this vessel.

Iraq has an online portal called ISMA/IOP, but available public pages do not confirm whether foreign private yachts may use it to apply for permits or services, and do not list yacht documents or a uniform ETA deadline. Iraq’s Supreme Maritime Authority Law (Law No. 18 of 2019) established the Supreme Maritime Authority and sets out maritime oversight functions. The U.S. NGA Pub. 160 advises vessels bound for Iraqi ports to coordinate with port authorities, but commercial/general shipping procedures should not automatically be treated as mandatory yacht rules. Before departure, confirm application channels, deadlines, inspection contacts and documents for this vessel with ISMA, Iraqi port authorities and the intended port.

Iraqi government portal guidance for general foreign entry includes a travel document valid for at least six months, a valid entry visa and entry/exit through official border crossings. The official eVisa platform provides requirements by nationality and passport type. Public material does not explain how private yacht crew are processed at seaports or confirm whether eVisas cover sea arrival or shore leave. For each crew member/passenger, confirm visa, sea-entry, permitted stay and shore-leave requirements with Iraqi Immigration or the relevant consulate.

Iraq’s Customs Law No. 23 of 1984 applies to Customs matters in Iraq and its territorial waters and authorizes Customs officers to board and inspect vessels in port, entering or leaving port and to request legally required documents. It establishes general vessel-control powers but available sources do not explain temporary import, onboard personal-goods declarations, security, permitted stay or exit cancellation for foreign private yachts. Confirm required documents and temporary-admission arrangements directly with Iraqi Customs and the designated port before arrival.

No public Iraqi authority checklist for health/quarantine requirements of foreign private yachts was found. The WHO International Health Regulations say masters of international vessels should be aware of health conditions aboard; whether a Maritime Declaration of Health is required is determined by the health authority at the arrival port. This international rule alone does not prove that Iraq requires a specific declaration or health certificate from every private yacht. Confirm vessel health declarations, crew health documents, food/plant/animal products, pets and waste requirements with the designated port health authority before sailing.

Iraq’s Customs Law treats goods prohibited by law from import/export as prohibited goods and authorizes Customs to inspect vessels and related documents. No complete Iraqi restricted-items list for foreign private yachts was found, and specific permits/custody rules for firearms, ammunition, controlled medicines, animal/plant products or other goods aboard were not verified. NGA Pub. 160 also warns that unauthorized weapons may result in a vessel being detained; this is a navigational safety warning, not an Iraqi yacht-items permit list. Confirm declarations, permits, sealing and re-export with Iraqi Customs and relevant agencies before carrying such items.

U.S. NGA Sailing Directions say vessels visiting Iraqi ports may be subject to maritime security questioning or boarding inspections and describe vessel communications and coordination with Iraqi port authorities. This is an official U.S. sailing guide, not an Iraqi private-yacht manual. Available sources do not confirm whether commercial/general shipping procedures apply to private yachts or identify uniform inspection points, working channels or on-site clearance steps. Confirm contact methods, documents and procedures for this vessel with the designated port and port authority before arrival.

No current public tariff confirming entry, berthing, pilotage, security inspection, departure or temporary-import cancellation charges for foreign private yachts was found. Request an itemized written fee schedule and quote for this vessel from the designated port authority/operator and Customs before departure, including payment method, extra services and departure release procedures.