Northern Mariana Islands

Scope

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is in political union with the United States, but customs, quarantine and immigration formalities should be checked separately with the responsible authorities. US immigration law applies as extended to the CNMI. The CNMI Department of Finance Customs and Quarantine Division handles local imports/exports, excise tax and port restrictions on prohibited goods.

This guide is for private non-commercial recreational vessels preparing for a voyage. Local CNMI customs/quarantine and federal immigration inspection are separate responsibilities; procedures in Guam or the US mainland do not automatically replace CNMI requirements. Available official information does not confirm every location where private yachts can complete full entry clearance.

Official sources: 48 U.S.C. § 1806; CNMI Customs & Quarantine.

Ports of entry and departure

The Tanapag Harbour guide for Saipan says to contact Port Control on VHF 13 as the vessel approaches and anchor or berth as instructed.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Tanapag Harbour (Saipan) – Noonsite

Pre-arrival notification

2025 information says to give as much as two weeks' notice if possible and lists [email protected] / [email protected] and telephone +1 670 237 6500 for inquiries.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Tanapag Harbour (Saipan) – Noonsite

Crew and passenger entry

US immigration law and its provisions for the CNMI govern entry. Some travellers may qualify for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program (G-CNMI VWP) and may need to obtain electronic travel authorization (eTA) in advance. A separate CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) applies to specific travellers. For example, CBP says Chinese citizens without a valid US visa who travel by air or sea to the CNMI must obtain an approved G-CNMI eTA; EVS-TAP allows travel only within the CNMI and a maximum stay of 14 days. Eligibility depends on nationality, documents and itinerary; this does not apply to all travellers.

Before departure, confirm visa/authorization, arrival by sea and shore-leave requirements for each person with CBP. This immigration information does not establish a dedicated in-person procedure for private-yacht crew. Vessel release is not permission for people to enter.

Official sources: 48 U.S.C. § 1806; CBP: CNMI EVS-TAP implementation notice.

Vessel customs

The CNMI Department of Finance Customs and Quarantine Division inspects vessels and goods at seaports. Its published 24-hour arrival-notice and vessel-document list is explicitly headed for commercial vessels and cruise ships. Do not assume the same deadline and document requirements apply to private yachts.

The official import requirements page lists an excise-tax category for boats worth more than USD 500,000. Public information does not explain how this tax applies to a short-stay visiting foreign private yacht, nor does it state temporary-import duration, bond, declarations for stores aboard or re-export procedure. Before departure, obtain written confirmation from CNMI Customs and Quarantine Division about this vessel's procedures and tax treatment. Berthing or maritime permission is not customs release.

Official sources: CNMI Import Requirements; CNMI Customs & Quarantine.

Verification status: To be confirmed. Official pages were checked, but clear rules for temporary import and full clearance of private recreational yachts were not found.

Quarantine and biosecurity

The CNMI Department of Finance requires travellers to declare food. Its official FAQ says meat, milk, eggs, poultry and products may be restricted or prohibited based on animal disease risk in the country of origin. Imports of animals and plants may also require authorization from the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources. Admissibility depends on the item, treatment and origin; confirm with CNMI Agriculture-Quarantine before arrival.

These sources concern travellers and general imports; they do not explain rules for food kept aboard private yachts, pets, vessel health inspection or waste disposal. Do not assume goods are exempt because they remain aboard.

Official sources: CNMI Customs and Quarantine FAQs; CNMI Import Requirements.

Restricted items

CNMI Finance lists import restrictions including controlled substances, undeclared cash and payment instruments exceeding USD 10,000 in total, firearms/ammunition, goods infringing copyright or patent law, undeclared excise goods, used tires and prohibited pesticides. Animals, plants, pesticides, firearms and ammunition may require separate permits; the CNMI FAQ also says firearms must be checked for permits and magazine-capacity limits.

Before carrying firearms, ammunition, plant/animal products or large amounts of cash, confirm declaration and authorization requirements with CNMI Customs and Quarantine Division and the relevant licensing agencies. The public list is for general imports and does not explain treatment of goods kept aboard a private yacht without being landed. Do not infer an item may be brought in or kept aboard simply because it is not listed.

Official sources: CNMI Import Requirements; CNMI Customs and Quarantine FAQs.

Arrival procedures

Information says immigration processing may be arranged at an airport counter; being received at a marina does not mean everyone aboard has been cleared.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Tanapag Harbour (Saipan) – Noonsite

Fees and departure

No verified uniform total clearance price for the Northern Mariana Islands is stated here. Ask separately about government formalities, visas, vessel permits, quarantine, overtime, port/lighthouse, berth, waste and agent charges. Confirm currency, whether charges are per person or vessel, duration, tax treatment and receipts. Before departure, confirm customs, immigration and port clearance and any clearance/zarpe required by the next port; movements between ports may require separate checks.

Verification status: To be confirmed. No independent local official source was verified for this section. This is pre-voyage preparation guidance, not a statement of statutory permits, deadlines or rates.