customs charges

J

jmeirhofer

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If you go to the bahamas with a tender do you pay the entry fee for each boat?

I know, it may sound stupid but I can not see anywhere that says you do or don't.
 
nope... your tender, jet ski, etc... is included in the cruising permit fee. you should bring their registration along with the boat papers when you clear though.
 
I'm going to chime in that it depends on where you check in, and what you're checking in with. I've always checked in at West End with our 30' cat and a 9' inflatable, and never even been asked about a tender. The customs folks there are usually pretty darn nice. However, I've got a friend who didn't have such luck. Specifically, he has a 55' sport fisher and tows a 23' Mako. This year he decided to check in at Spanish Cay and had a heck of a time. After the initial problems, he decided to try and "grease the wheels" a bit and was told his $50 "tip" wasn't enough. They hit him up for the $300 for his big boat and the $150 for the Mako (3 people on the boat total). Honestly, I'm not sure if he's going back again after that. This guy is the nicest guy anybody would ever want to meet, but I think some of the Bahamians really have a dislike for "sport fisher people". So it might depend on both the boat and the port.

Pascal, I swear, he's the nicest guy I've ever met. We've spent time with them the last 2 years in the Abacos and he would never, ever, rub somebody the wrong way. Have you ever seen an issue with sport fisher boats over there? I've noticed it. Granted, some of them certainly deserve it due to their attitudes. But not all of them are like that.
 
Come on, calling a 23' boat a mere tender is a gamble at best. Some times you get away with it but if you don't, I'd be hard pressed to argue the point. It's almost half the size as the mother ship for crying out loud. :-)
 
Never had a problem in Bimini just told them yes I had a dinghy. I think they like us sport fish types there.
I agree about the 23 footer is pushing it a bit. Those are what most people use to get to Bimini from here.
 
most people will agree that a large towed center console is not a tender... cant' blame bahamian customs for charging him...

Never had an issue for a NORMAL tender or PWC
 
I guess he just chose the wrong port to check in at. He's been towing that boat for years and never had to pay a second fee for it. It wasn't the fee that bothered him, but the poor treatment he received. At West End check-in has always been pretty easy for me; go to the office, fill out the paperwork, pay the fee. This past May we did that and then went to Lucaya. A 30-something sport fish docked behind us and did their checkin there. The customs officials nearly tore the boat apart before clearing them. I have heard, but not experienced, that the process differs between ports. And I guess the mood of the customs officials that day. My experience is that the Bahamians are like everybody else; treat them nicely and they'll do the same in return.

Besides, the OP never said how large their tender is :-)
 
Thanks for the answers. That is what I figured just wanted to here some real experience since I do not see it written anywhere.

I also guess I should have been more clear about tender size. I would not presume something 23' to be a tender either. I was thinking of the type you put on your boat not behind your boat. If your boat is big enough to carry something 23' you probably don't care about the extra $150.
 
I've cleared through in Bimini, Lucaya and West End and never been treated with anything but courtesy and respect. I was once boarded by Customs in Lucaya a few years ago but they were very nice guys and were both quick and efficient.

When I arrive my dink is always still on the swim platform and the motor stowed so I've never even been asked about it.

Bob
 
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