Port of Entry

The Marina at South Bank is an official port of entry for Providenciales and if you are going to be berthing with us we will take care of the customs formalities on your behalf. If you are planning on doing this yourself, the following guidelines apply:

All vessels entering the waters of the Turks and Caicos must clear in with Customs and Immigration officials at the nearest port of entry. Failure to report within 24 hours may subject you to a penalty and make you liable for confiscation and forfeiture of your vessel. When approaching your selected port of entry be sure to fly your yellow “Q” flag. Only the captain of the vessel may go ashore to arrange clearance and no other shore contact is permitted until pratique is granted.

A customs officer will come to you during normal working hours 08:00 to 16:30, Monday through Thursday and 08:00 to 16:00 on Friday.

If arriving outside of normal working hours or on public holidays you may expect to pay overtime charges: usually a $50.00 clearance fee (in or out) and a $10.00 overtime fee applies Monday through Friday, and an $15.00 overtime fee in charged if you clear in on Sundays or holidays.

Permits + Visas

FOR YOUR VESSEL

A cruising permit is required if you intend to stay in Turks and Caicos for more than seven days. The cruising permit charge is $300 per vessel and is valid for 90 days. When your cruising permit expires you may renew it for another 90 days. Vessels wishing to stay in the Turks and Caicos for longer than 180 days must import the vessel at which point an Import Duty of 46% of local valuation applies. Alternatively, you are required to leave the country and not return until the following calendar year.

FOR YOURSELF

You are required to report to Immigration to secure a Vistor’s Visa for your stay. Visas are valid for 30 days and can be renewed for 30 further days twice with each renewal costing $50 per passport. 

North Americans need to present proof of citizenship, a passport or voter registration card, and a photo ID. As soon as the captain has cleared Customs, you must take down your yellow “Q” flag and replace it with the British courtesy flag. Canadian citizens need a valid passport or proof of identity such as a birth certificate along with a photo ID. A visa is not required. 
Australian, New Zealand, EU, and Japanese citizens are required to present a valid passport, but no visa is required. Citizens of countries not listed above should check with their embassy or consulate in their home country for details on entry requirements.

Most vessels heading across the Caicos Bank and venturing south to the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico leave Provo, head towards Ambergris Cay and then Sand Cay. As long you do not stop at any other inhabited island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you may proceed straight across the Bank and stage your trip from Sand Cay. There are no fees to clear out unless you choose to do so outside of normal working hours. The same rates for overtime are charged as for clearing in. 

Firearms, including those charged with compressed air, must be declared and brought in to Customs with you when you clear. Unless you have prior approval in writing from the Commissioner of Police, Customs will impound them and store them for you at the police station until your departure. Spearguns are illegal and must be brought in to Customs when you clear. There is no quarantine period on pets, all pets must be declared and present a recent bill of health (dated within one month of the date of your departure) from a certified veterinarian. Pets must also have a recent rabies shot. The importation of controlled drugs and pornography is illegal in the Turks and Caicos Islands.