Madagascar

Scope

Madagascar's Ports, Maritime and Riverine Administration (APMF) confirms that a foreign-flagged yacht needs the relevant authorization to navigate in Madagascar's territorial waters, under Notice No. 601/2020. Notice No. 726 and its document list concern commercial yacht operators and should not be applied automatically to non-commercial private yachts. Confirm the private-yacht application procedure, authorized ports and processing time with APMF.

Article 59 of Madagascar's Customs Code generally requires vessels to call at ports with customs offices; force majeure or another location authorized by customs is handled under separate provisions. APMF confirms that a foreign-flagged recreational vessel needs authorization to navigate in Madagascar's territorial waters (Service Notice No. 601/APMF/DG, 17 September 2020). Noonsite currently lists Ambodifotatra (Île Sainte-Marie), Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Tôlanaro (Fort Dauphin), Hell-Ville on Nosy Be and Mahajanga as yacht ports of entry. This is a third-party cruising guide, not a complete government-approved list. Before departure, confirm with APMF, the harbour master and customs whether the chosen port can clear this vessel and which authorization is needed.

The Madagascar Foreign Ministry's recreational-craft visa information says vessel documents must be submitted to the harbour master, with the point of departure, route, crew/passenger details and exact dates of entry into and stay in Madagascar's waters. A planned call outside a major port also requires a call permit from the nearest merchant-marine authority under navigation rules. APMF separately says foreign-flagged recreational vessels need authorization to navigate Madagascar's territorial waters. Public official sources do not give a uniform advance-notice deadline or complete application process for private yachts. Contact APMF and the intended port before sailing. The general customs submission window for maritime cargo manifests should not be treated as a private-yacht notification deadline.

Crew and passenger entry

Visa requirements depend on each crew member's passport nationality and purpose of stay. Madagascar's tourism authority and official eVisa platform provide general visitor-visa information, including online applications and arrangements at airports. No official information confirming that visas can be issued at seaports or to private-yacht crew aboard was found. Each crew member should check visa eligibility and confirm entry by sea and shore-leave formalities with immigration at the intended port before departure.

Vessel customs and foreign-flagged recreational-vessel authorization

Current notices from Madagascar's Ports, Maritime and Riverine Administration (APMF) expressly state that foreign-flagged recreational vessels intending to navigate in Madagascar's territorial waters must obtain the relevant authorization under APMF Service Notice No. 601/APMF/DG of 17 September 2020. The notice also requires foreign-flagged commercial recreational-vessel operators to comply with Notice No. 726/APMF/DG/20 of 23 October 2020. Procedures for commercial operation must not automatically be applied to a private non-commercial yacht.

This authorization is not customs release and does not establish a private yacht's temporary-import period, bond, required customs documents or port entry/departure procedure. Confirm each separately with APMF and customs at the intended port before sailing. The Customs Code has general rules on vessel entry and ship's logs; confirm with customs how they are applied to a private yacht.

Verification status: Officially checked online. The authorization required before a foreign-flagged recreational vessel navigates in territorial waters was confirmed; temporary-import and customs details remain to be confirmed.

No complete official biosecurity list for foreign private yachts was found. Madagascar's Foreign Ministry non-immigrant visa page lists a yellow-fever vaccination certificate as a general document for travellers who have spent the preceding six days in a yellow-fever risk area. Customs/quarantine material also requires permits or health/phytosanitary certificates for certain animal and plant imports and their products. Those import rules alone do not establish that every item kept aboard is subject to the same formalities. Before arrival, confirm declarations, permits or inspections for pets, plants, seeds, fresh food and animal products with port health, customs and agricultural/veterinary quarantine authorities. Do not land such items before confirmation, and check waste-disposal requirements with the port.

Restricted items

Madagascar Customs requires permits or health/phytosanitary certificates for some imported live animals, plants and foods. These rules apply to regulated imports and are not a complete statement of the rules for stores aboard a private yacht. Before arrival, confirm declaration, documents and inspection requirements for pets, plants, food, catch and other regulated items. Do not land these items until instructed by the responsible authority.

Port procedures

The Customs Code requires vessels to berth at ports with customs offices and to present the ship's log to customs on entry as required. Official information reviewed does not establish a uniform clearance sequence, ETA-notice period, VHF channel or agent requirement for all foreign private yachts. Operating details in third-party cruising information have not been confirmed by official sources. Reported, not verified. Before sailing, contact APMF, the port authority and customs to confirm current offices, berthing and departure procedures.

Fees and departure

Article 263(6) of the Madagascar Customs Code exempts yachts and tourist cruise ships from the navigation tax specified in that article. This exemption does not mean that all port, inspection, security, health or departure charges are waived. The Code lists separate vessel inspection/safety and maritime-health fees, but their application and amounts for foreign yachts have not been confirmed. Request current rates from the destination port and confirm which customs and port charges must be paid before departure.