It is the objective of the Turks and Caicos Island Government and Border Force to make procedures for entry by sea as quick and simple as possible.
Pleasure Crafts
The information on this page applies to private individuals who sail to or from the Turks and Caicos Islands in a pleasure craft (like a yacht or other boat for recreational use). If your vessel has anchored or tied up, you are considered to have entered the Turks and Caicos Islands and the information on this page applies.
If you carry any goods for industrial or commercial purposes, your boat becomes a commercial vessel and is no longer a pleasure craft, for that entry. Different customs rules will apply.
Pleasure crafts should ONLY be used for recreational purposes. If you’re using the vessel for anything other than recreation, it is considered a non-pleasure craft, and different rules will apply. Permits and licences from other government departments MUST be obtained.
Your vessel is considered a non-pleasure craft if you intend to use it for:
guided fishing trips
carrying passengers for trips or transport
workboats
commercial fishing
Main Ports of Entry
Grand Turk
South Dock
Providenciales
Blue Haven Marina
South Bank Marina
South Dock
Southside Marina
Sapodilla Bay
South Caicos
Cockburn Habour
Before Arrival
- All persons onboard MUST have a valid passport and visa (if required)
- Ensure you have the required permits if you are travelling with an animal, a large quantity of food, plants, firearms and ammunition, and explosives.
- The owner or master of a pleasure craft must give notice of arrival at least 24 hours before arrival using SailClear www.sailclear.com
SailClear is an online yachting clearance system designed to facilitate the clearance requirements Border Force. You will need to provide:
- the name of your craft
- the vessel’s registration number and country of registration
- your intended first port of arrival
- your estimated arrival time
- your intended departure date
- the details of persons on board including name, date of birth, nationality and passport
- number
- if you have any animals, firearms or dutiable goods on board
On Arrival
- Display the Q- flag: Display the International Pratique Q-flag and travel directly to the port of entry to satisfy the face-to-face requirement.
- Stay onboard until clearance is given: No person, animal or article should leave the vessel until full clearance has been granted. It is an offence to go ashore without prior clearance. Depending on the arrival time, occupants of the vessel may be required to remain on board overnight before being cleared the following day.
- Secure food and animals: All food and animals must be kept secured until the vessel has been inspected by Border Force officers and/or Agriculture Officers.
In the case of an emergency; medical, mechanical or adverse weather conditions, a notification must be submitted IMMEDIATELY on arrival by a crew member, passenger or agent. This will help in expediting the clearance process.
Before Departure
Clearance is required before a pleasure craft can depart. This is available at any designated port. The owner, master or agent must submit a notice in advance through SailClear to avoid unnecessary delay. It is an offence to depart without clearance.
If you want to extend your stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is the master, or agent’s responsibility to update the outbound notification in SailClear. You must also file a request with Border Force to extend/change your leave to enter before your authorized stay
expires.
Clearance Fees
Outbound Fees ($50.00)
Inbound Fees ($50.00)
Overtime Fee is charged if clearance is needed outside of working hours
Cruising Permit
As part of the clearance process, a Cruising Permit for the Turks and Caicos Islands waters will be issued which is valid for 90 days. If you plan to remain for longer than three (3) months, it will be necessary to renew the Permit when it expires. A cruising permit can be obtained from the Proper Officer at the first port of arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands and costs USD 300.00.
Public Health
If you contract a communicable disease, such as a virus, if you were in close contact with someone with a communicable disease, or if there is a notifiable illness on board, the Department of Environment Health MUST be contacted via email at thinds@gov.tc and occupants of the vessel must comply with any instructions given.
Failure To Report
Border Force and its law enforcement partners are actively monitoring Turks and Caicos Islands waters. Failure to submit an advance notice for arrival or departure to Border Force may result in detention, seizure or forfeiture of your boat and/or monetary penalties.
If you fail to report, even if your purpose is non-discretionary (non-optional) such as to refuel, you may face severe penalties.