Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis Customs requires yachts to submit arrival and departure declarations. The master must provide vessel details, previous-port clearance, crew/passenger lists and passports. Immigration, quarantine and port requirements are handled separately; a Customs form is not a complete entry permit.

The Saint Kitts and Nevis government previously listed these yacht/vessel ports of entry: on Saint Kitts, Port Zante (including the marina), Bird Rock deep-water port, Christophe Harbour and New Guinea (St. Kitts Marine Works); on Nevis, Charlestown Pier and Long Point deep-water port. Customs also provides yacht arrival/departure forms. The port list appeared in a 2020 notice that included pandemic measures, and no updated complete list was found. Before sailing, ask Customs, Immigration and the intended port whether these locations currently clear foreign private yachts and when; do not sail to a port solely on the basis of the old notice.

Prepare the government yacht declaration form, vessel registration, estimated arrival/departure times, previous/next ports, and passport details for everyone aboard. Nevis Tourism advises visiting yachts to contact Customs and Immigration in advance. No nationwide advance-notice period has been verified; confirm the reporting method with the receiving port.

Crew and passengers should carry valid passports and any visa required for their nationality. The Customs form lists people aboard but is not immigration clearance. Confirm permitted stay, shore-leave authorization and procedures for crew leaving the vessel with Immigration.

On arrival, the master must clear with Customs and present previous-port clearance, crew/passenger list and passports, and vessel documents. Everyone must remain aboard until Customs releases the vessel. Obtain Customs clearance before departure. Pets and cargo may not be unloaded until the relevant officers approve.

Pets or animals may not leave the vessel without approval from the government veterinarian. Food, plants and animal products may require quarantine declarations. Customs clearance pages do not provide a complete list of quarantine items; confirm permits and inspection arrangements with agricultural/veterinary authorities before sailing.

No cargo may be unloaded without Customs permission. Declare firearms/ammunition, medicines, pets and other controlled goods in advance and obtain the relevant permits. The yacht Customs form and port clearance do not replace special-item authorization.

After arrival, the master should report promptly to the Customs boarding office and provide previous-port clearance, passports, people list and vessel documents. Everyone stays aboard until clearance is granted. Complete Customs departure clearance before leaving. Confirm the office location and after-hours arrangements with Customs in advance.

The SKN Customs website lists yacht entry/departure fees and says overtime departure work may be charged separately; applicable port fees are paid directly to the port authority. Amounts depend on vessel tonnage, departure time and current tariffs. Check with Customs and the port authority before departure and keep the two charge categories separate.