Jordan

Jordan's only maritime gateway is the Port of Aqaba. The Jordan Maritime Commission (JMC) regulates maritime traffic and exercises port-state/coastal-state control over foreign vessels entering Aqaba Port and Jordanian territorial waters. Official regulations also govern registration, inspection and navigation permits for yachts and recreational vessels. Before departure, confirm the specific entry, customs and immigration procedures for the vessel with JMC, Aqaba Port and customs.

Official Jordanian information identifies Aqaba as the country's maritime gateway. The Aqaba Customs Centre is a sea-border clearance centre and handles customs services such as temporary admission. This does not mean every marina or berth receives foreign private yachts. Before arrival, obtain written confirmation from JMC, customs and the intended port of call about the available yacht reporting point and whether immigration, customs and quarantine formalities can be completed there.

A sailor's report says, but has not been verified, that a yacht arriving in Jordanian waters may call the port authority on VHF 16 or 12 and proceed to report as instructed; staff may board by patrol boat. The page was last updated in 2014, and no current notice from a Jordanian authority was found to confirm it. Do not navigate based only on this information. Before departure, contact JMC, the port authority and an agent directly to verify the current calling channel, ETA notification and document requirements.

Visa eligibility and e-visa conditions for visitors to Jordan depend on nationality and individual circumstances. The Ministry of Interior website says some travellers can apply online and obtain a visa before arrival. The page does not explain whether foreign private-yacht crew can obtain a visa or land at Aqaba Port. Each crew member should confirm visa requirements in advance with the Jordanian Ministry of Interior or an embassy/consulate, and confirm shore-leave formalities with JMC and the intended port. A visa does not guarantee admission.

Jordan Customs lists the Aqaba Customs Centre as a sea-border clearance centre and lists cargo clearance, customs declarations and temporary admission among its services. JMC's port quarantine/pratique unit also checks arriving vessels' registration, health and other certificates and handles related clearance. Public pages reviewed do not provide the complete documents, guarantee or period for temporary import of a foreign private yacht. Confirm requirements with Aqaba Customs and JMC before arrival.

Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture requires permits for the import, export or transit of live animals, animal products and feed. Plants and plant products must also follow the current permit list and requirements of the responsible authority. Applications have moved to the customs pre-approval platform. These are general goods/quarantine rules; public sources do not describe the specific treatment of food, pets or plants for personal use aboard a private yacht when they are not landed. Before departure, confirm permits, quarantine documents and declaration requirements for onboard stores with the Ministry of Agriculture and Aqaba's entry port.

Jordan Customs lists narcotics, weapons, ammunition and explosives as prohibited or strictly controlled items; some restricted goods require advance authorization from the responsible authority. Do not assume that passenger personal-effects duty-free allowances permit a firearm, ammunition or controlled item to be brought in aboard a yacht. The official material reviewed did not provide a complete process for sealed firearms aboard private yachts, temporary admission or exemptions for personal-use items. Before carrying firearms, medicines, drones or other potentially restricted items, confirm declaration, permits, storage and departure/re-export requirements individually with Jordan Customs and the relevant Aqaba authorities.

JMC's Maritime Communications and Pratique Department receives vessel arrival notices, boards vessels to check registration/health and other certificates, grants pratique, and coordinates communications, traffic monitoring and departure permission for vessels in Jordanian territorial waters. JMC's website also lists specific rules for inspection of foreign vessels and entry to/departure from Jordanian territorial waters. The page does not fully explain agent requirements, VHF channels or all deadlines for visiting private yachts. Before arrival, contact JMC and Aqaba Port to confirm reporting, inspection, berthing and departure steps.

Article 17 of the fee regulations published on JMC's website sets a combined entry and maritime-safety fee of JOD 100 per foreign vessel entering Jordanian territorial waters. This amount covers only the items specified in the regulation; it is not a total including port berth, agent, pilotage, quarantine or other charges. The published provision does not separately explain its application to every visiting private-yacht situation. Before departure, confirm with JMC and Aqaba Port whether this rate applies to the vessel and how it is currently collected.