Saint Barthélemy

Scope

This entry provides arrival and departure preparation information for private, non-commercial recreational vessels in Saint Barthélemy. Different authorities may handle vessels, people, goods and island visits; third-party experience cited here should be checked against the vessel’s flag, each person’s nationality, purpose and route. Unconfirmed matters do not imply an exemption.

Jurisdiction note: Entry/visa, customs-territory and biosecurity rules here may differ from those in metropolitan France. Do not automatically apply France’s EES, Schengen short-stay or EU vessel temporary-admission rules.

Verification status: Unconfirmed. No local official source has been independently verified for this section. This is a pre-voyage preparation aid, not a statement of legal permission, time limits or fees.

A notice from the Saint Barthélemy Prefecture (3 January 2025) says recreational vessels travelling to or from foreign waters must complete formalities at an authorized clearance point; Gustavia’s marina can provide those services. The notice is not a complete or permanently valid list of ports. Confirm with port and border authorities before departure.

Pre-arrival notification

Submit vessel, owner, all persons aboard and voyage information through demarches-simplifiees.fr. If there is no internet access, use an approved clearance service point and keep proof of clearance available for inspection.

Official reference (the specific rules in this section have not been individually checked online): Guide clearance — Antilles françaises 2024

Gustavia’s official port page requires people and vessel formalities on arrival and provides Immigration contact details. French rules for maritime border points in Saint Barthélemy provide for specific border-check arrangements. Visa requirements depend on nationality; public pages do not provide one visa list for all yacht crew. Confirm with Immigration.

Vessel customs

Saint Barthélemy uses the French Antilles electronic vessel-clearance (clearance) system. Vessels arriving from abroad to berth and departing for foreign destinations must complete clearance.

EU territorial-scope limitation: The European Commission lists certain French overseas territories as outside the EU territory, customs regime and VAT system. Do not treat Saint Barthélemy as an EU yacht temporary-import area solely because it is associated with France. Follow the local customs regime.

Official source: European Commission territorial scope table

Quarantine and biosecurity

Preparation note: before travelling to Saint Barthélemy, list any meat, dairy, eggs, fruit and vegetables, plants, seeds, pets, live animals and waste, and ask whether advance approval, health or vaccination certificates, inspection, sealing or prescribed disposal is required. Do not take these items, animals or vessel waste ashore without instructions from the receiving authority. No general pet-entry or food exemption has been confirmed here.

Verification status: Unconfirmed. No local official source has been independently verified for this section. This is a pre-voyage preparation aid, not a statement of legal permission, time limits or fees.

Restricted and prohibited items

Special-items check: if carrying firearms or ammunition, spearguns, distress flares, drones, controlled medicines, antiquities, wildlife products or large amounts of cash, tell the relevant Saint Barthélemy authority the type, quantity and purpose before departure. Confirm declaration, advance permits, onboard storage/sealing and arrangements for taking the items back out. The specific restricted-items list and cash threshold have not been verified; omission from a guide does not mean an item is permitted.

Verification status: Unconfirmed. No local official source has been independently verified for this section. This is a pre-voyage preparation aid, not a statement of legal permission, time limits or fees.

Gustavia Marina’s official information requires yachts to complete arrival formalities, either at the port office or by submitting the online declaration in advance. Online declarations must still be printed and signed at the port office. The page says they may be submitted up to 24 hours in advance. The cargo port follows a different process; confirm the berth and same-day arrangements before arrival.

Fees and departure

No verified nationwide total clearance fee for Saint Barthélemy is available in this section. Ask separately about government formalities, visas, vessel permits, quarantine, overtime, port/light dues, berthing, waste and agent fees. Confirm currency, whether charges are per person or vessel, the period covered and whether tax is included; obtain receipts. Before departure, confirm customs, immigration, port and next-port clearance (clearance/zarpe) requirements. Inter-port movements may also need confirmation.

Verification status: Unconfirmed. No local official source has been independently verified for this section. This is a pre-voyage preparation aid, not a statement of legal permission, time limits or fees.