Clearing Into The Eastern Caribbean - People and Pets

The vessel, crew and any pets need to be cleared into new countries.  As well, the vessel and crew need to be cleared out (there are no clear out procedures for pets).

Note: We did not visit all of the islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Due to very strict and difficult pet import rules, we skipped St. Kitts & Nevis, Saba, Montserrat and Statia. We chose to bypass the BVIs but I have been told that it is easy to import pets there.
For People
  • Boat Registration
  • Passports for each crew member
  • Clearance documents from last port (not required for mainland USA, Puerto Rico, USVI, Dominican Republic and of the French islands)

For a Dog
    * For All Countries *
  • International Health Certificate. May need to be endorsed. See requirements for the USA below.
  • Proof of Rabies Vaccination (1 year or 3 year are acceptable)
  • Proof of DHPPC + L Vaccinations (updated annually)
  • Proof of Parasite Control (Heartworm + Tick medications/vaccines) or results of a SNAP test
  • Titer Test Results. This is required in ALL rabies-free countries like Antigua, Diominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.  Note: In most countries, the results are considered expired after 1 year
 
   * Country Specific *
  • SNAP Test (includes Lyme and Heartworm test results), helpful for the Bahamas, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG)
  • Pet photo, for Bahamas only

The Process

Bahamas

Where we cleared in and out
  • When headed south: Cleared in at Alice Town, Bimini
  • When headed north: Cleared in at Matthewtown, Great Inagua 
  • Note: You DO NOT need to check out of the Bahamas if you are going to the USA or the Dominican Republic

​People
  • Pre-arrival: Before arrival in Bahamian waters, via the Click2Clear on your mobile phone or computer, payment for cruising permit should be made in advance as well, also through Click2Clear.  Make sure to save your Rotation # provided to use via Click2Clear.
  • Clear in: In person at the local Customs office.  Provide agents with your Rotation # so that they can confirm your documents and payment.
  • Clear out: In person at the local Customs Office but only required if your next destination needs proof that you have cleared out of your previous destination (DR and USA do not)
​
Dog
  • Pre-arrival: Use Wellington’s service (bahamaspetpermit.com) to obtain the Pet Import Permit (using “both countries” documentation + SNAP test results + Dog photo, also need IMP1(B) form filled out by licensed vet 48 hours before arrival
  • Clear in: Agent will ask to see Import permit and IMP1(B) form. 
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + Import Permit + IMP1(B)
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: This was easy using Wellington's service to get the pet permit. When we actually cleared in, the agent asked for Ocean's pet permit but didn't look at any other pet documents.
Dominican Republic

Where we cleared in and out
  • When headed south: Cleared in and out at Luperon
  • When headed north: Cleared in at Cap Cana; cleared out at Luperon

People
  • Pre-arrival: You can complete Sailclear but no one will look at it.
  • Clear in: The Armada (Navy) will board your boat after you anchor.  They will look at your boat documents and take a picture of your crew.  Once this is finished, you are okay to go ashore and do the formal process with Customs, Immigration, Agriculture and The Port Authority (all buildings are right beside each other in Luperon).
  • Clear out: You need to obtain a Despacho from the Armada.  They don’t issue Despachos on Sundays, holidays, after hours or when there is bad weather.  You go in person to the Armada office with your boat documents and request a Despacho.  If provided, you are expected to leave the harbour within a few hours. Exceptions are made if you are intending to leave at dawn the next day. In this case, they will issue the Despacho the evening beforehand but will want you to depart before they arrive at the customs office the next morning. 

Dog
  • Pre-arrival: Nothing.
  • Clear in: Agent will ask to see the dog’s documentation. 
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + $10 USD
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: Super easy.  The Armada (Navy) board your boat and take some basic info.  For us, the Armada loved our pup Ocean and even included her in our crew photo.  Once we were cleared by the Armada, we could go to shore and finish the process with Customs, Immigration, Agriculture and the Port Authority.  It was a hot day when we cleared in and each officer/agent invited Ocean into their office to cool down in the air conditioning.  The Agriculture Officer looked at Ocean’s papers but that was it. 
USVI & Puerto Rico (same rules as for mainland USA)

*** NEW DOG IMPORT REQUIREMENTS AS OF AUG 1, 2024 ***

Where we cleared in and out
  • You can clear in anywhere when you use the CBP Roam app
  • Going south, we cleared out at Cruz Bay. Going north, we did not clear out as we went from USVI to PR and then to DR. You do not need clearance papers to clear into the DR from the USA.

People
  • Clear in: Upon arrival in US waters, via the CBP Roam app on your mobile phone
  • Clear out: Not required if going to the Dominican Republic, St. Martin or between Puerto Rico and USVI.  

Dog
  • Pre-arrival, ensure the dog will meet the following requirements at the border:
    • Appear healthy upon arrival;
    • Be at least six months of age;
    • Be microchipped; and
    • Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt (Form can be located on the CDC site)
  • Pre-arrival, if dog was only in low-risk countries in the last 6 months, ensure you are able to provide one of the following at the border: 
    • Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States.
    • Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
    • Valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate listing the destination as the dog rabies-free or low-risk country from which the dog is returning
    • Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND veterinary records (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. The form must be completed within the 30 days before arriving to the United States.
    • Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months
  • Pre-arrival, if dog WAS IN A HIGH-RISK COUNTRY in the last 6 months, ensure you have recent (less than 1 year) rabies titer test results
  • Clear in: Check in via CBP Roam App.  Answer “yes” to question about pets on board. Follow the instructions from the Customs official.
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: It has been super easy in the past and we have not yet crossed the border with the new rules in place (effective August 1, 2024). Ocean was vaccinated for rabies in the USA so this may make things easier at the border. To be determined!
St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe & Martinique

​Where we cleared in and out
  • St. Martin: Ile Marine on the French side. NOTE: it is cheaper and easier to check in on the French side. You can dinghy over to the Dutch side quite easily to check it out.
  • St. Barts: Customs office in Gustavia. 
  • Guadeloupe: Deshaies (pronounced Day-Hay), Les Saintes
  • Martinique: St. Pierre, Fort de France, Le Marin

​People
  • Pre-arrival: Nothing 
  • Clear in: Via computer, usually at a local establishment. Check out the cruisers Facebook site for the specific country for the current establishments housing the computer. The cost is either free or 5 euros.
  • Clear out: Same as above. 
​
Dog
  • Pre-arrival: Nothing 
  • Clear in: There are no pet clear in procedures in the French islands. In fact, Ocean sat beside us (in the air conditioning) while we cleared in at Ile Marine at Marigot Bay, St. Martin.
  • Have on Hand: Nothing
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: Beyond easy. There are no permits or forms at all. When clearing in our vessel and crew, I didn't see a place to declare we had a dog so I asked the agent how we clear the dog in.  He said “you don’t”.  No checking vet paperwork.  No costs.  Pure awesomeness.

Where we cleared in and out
  • St. Martin: Ile Marine on the French side. NOTE: it is cheaper and easier to check in on the French side. You can dinghy over to the Dutch side quite easily to check it out.
  • St. Barts: Customs office in Gustavia. 
  • Guadeloupe: Deshaies (pronounced Day-Hay), Les Saintes
  • Martinique: St. Pierre, Fort de France, Le Marin
Antigua
* We cleared in and out at Jolly Harbour. It is significantly cheaper than doing the same at English Harbour.

​People
  • Pre-arrival: Complete the SailClear entry in advance. NOTE: Antigua used to have a proprietary customs system called eSeaClear but they are phasing it out in favour of SailClear.
  • Clear in: In person at the local Customs office. Address the agent first with a "good morning" or "good afternoon" and let them know you would like to clear in and have a SailClear number. Then follow their instructions, which will involve verifying your documents and obtaining payment.
  • Clear out: Same as above. 
​
Dog​
  • Pre-arrival:
    • Email the following to advise of the arrival with a dog and to send the “All Countries” documentation.  You will not receive a response.  There is no “pet permit” document that will be sent to you.
    • [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

    • 48 hours before arrival, contact the government vet, Dr. Edwards, via WhatsApp 1-268-728-9030 and advise of your arrival date, time and port.  Ask to schedule an appointment for him to inspect the dog.  If the appointment is not timely, ask Dr. Edwards if you can go ahead and take the dog to shore to do its business and then put it promptly back on the boat.
  • Clear in: Meet the government vet, show him all your documentation and pay $50 USD.
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation, $50 USD in cash.
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: Moderately easy. On the advice of another cruiser, I texted Dr. Edwards via WhatsApp several weeks before our arrival in Antigua.  He recommended that I send all of Ocean’s paperwork to four email addresses associated with the government vet office.  The standard is that you will not get a response back from any of those addressees.  A few days before my arrival, I texted Dr. Edwards again to let him know the date, time and port of entry for our arrival in Antigua. Dr. Edwards could not see her the evening we arrived (it was a holiday) but asked that I text him the following morning to schedule an appointment for that day. I did that and, as it turns out, he could not see her until 6pm that day.  He did give his approval for us to take Ocean quickly to shore to do her business even though she wasn’t cleared in.  When Dr. Edwards did see her at 6pm, it was a very quick look at her paperwork.  He then stamped our cruising permit and we paid him $50 USD.  I confirmed with him that this pretty much is the import permit.​ 
Dominica

Where we cleared in and out
  • When headed south: Cleared in at Portsmouth and cleared out at Roseau
  • When headed north: Cleared in and out at Roseau. We didn't stop at Portsmouth

People
  • Pre-arrival: SailClear
  • Clear in: In person at the Southern Dock at Portsmouth or at the Ferry Terminal in Roseau
  • Clear out: As above + complete Sailclear for clearing out

Dog
  • Pre-arrival:
  1. To request a pet permit, email [email protected] and send the “All Countries” documentation.  You will receive the pet permit via email before your arrival.
  2. 48 hours before arrival, email [email protected] and advise of your arrival date, time and port.  Ask to schedule an appointment to have the vet inspect the dog.  You will not receive a response. Send another email 24 hours before arrival.  You will again not receive a response.
 
  • Clear in:
    • When clearing in the vessel, advise Customs that you have a dog and a pet permit.  They will not ask any other questions.  Consider the dog as cleared in but always carry your pet permit with you when you go ashore.  If any locals on shore ask if you have seen the vet, always answer “yes” and go about your business. 
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + Import Permit but no one will ask for it
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: Weird but easy. I contacted the government vet several weeks before our arrival and sent them all of Ocean’s documents.  They were quite happy to process the pet import but said that it is only good for 14 days so I should let them know when I know my arrival port, date and time so that they can issue the import permit.  That was the easy part.  When I had a pretty good idea of my arrival date, I contacted them again (with the date, time and port for my arrival) and they said they could issue the pet import but they just needed the final health certificate.  I figured they wanted me to get an updated health certificate from Guadeloupe (the country I was currently in) but thought I would take a chance and just re-send the one-month-old health certificate that I had from the USVI.  They accepted it and issued me a pet import permit. Great! I then advised them 72 hours, 48 hours, and 24 hours before my arrival and received no response. Mike went to the customs office and they accepted the pet permit and said Ocean was cleared in. We never saw the vet but we were asked by numerous random people on shore if Ocean had seen the vet. We always answered “yes” and had no issues.

St. Lucia

Where we cleared in and out
  • When headed south: Not applicable. We went straight from Martinique to Carriacou, Grenada to escape Tropical Storm Bret
  • When headed north: Cleared in and out at Rodney Bay

People
Dog
  • Pre-arrival:
    1. To request a pet permit, email [email protected] and [email protected] and send the “All Countries” documentation + results of SNAP test.  You will receive the pet permit via email before your arrival.
    2. 48 hours before arrival, email [email protected] and [email protected] and advise of your arrival date, time and port.  Ask to schedule an appointment to have the vet inspect the dog. 
  • Clear in: Meet the government vet, show him all your documentation and pay $45 EC (exact change in cash).
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + import permit + results of SNAP test
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: Really great and pretty easy. I requested the pet import permit 10 days before we arrived and it was granted the day after my request. At the port of entry, the government vet was at Customs when we arrived. I had Ocean with me (she hadn't been to shore for awhile so I took a chance). The vet had no problem with her having been taken on the boat before her clearance was done. She was very kind and understanding of the situation. The processing of the pet clearance was fast too, just 10 minutes!​​
St. Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG)

*NOTE: Despite having all of Ocean's documents up to date and submitted to the animal health office in SVG several weeks before our arrival in SVG, we never received a response of approval or denial for our pet. No pet permit was issued to us. This apparently happens a lot and most people will still take their dog to the Grenadines without a pet permit and have no issues. We chose not to do this. Instead, we bypassed SVG on our travels north and south.

People
  • Pre-arrival: SailClear
  • Clear in: In person at local Customs Office
  • Clear out: As above + complete Sailclear for clearing out

Dog
  • Pre-arrival:
    1. To request a pet permit, email [email protected] and send the “All Countries” documentation + results of SNAP test.  You will receive the pet permit via email before your arrival.
    2. 48 hours before arrival, email [email protected] to advise of your arrival date, time and port (must be Blue Lagoon).  Ask to schedule an appointment to have the vet inspect the dog. 
 
  • Clear in: Meet the government vet, show him all your documentation and pay $55 EC (exact change in cash).
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + import permit + results of SNAP test
Grenada

Where we cleared in and out
  • When headed south: Cleared in at Tyrell Bay
  • When headed north: Cleared out at Tyrell Bay

People
  • Pre-arrival: SailClear
  • Clear in: In person at local Customs Office (Tyrell Bay, Prickly Bay or St. Georges)
  • Clear out: As above + complete Sailclear for clearing out

Dog
  • Pre-arrival:
    1. To request a pet permit, email [email protected] and send the “All Countries” documentation.  You will receive the pet permit via email before your arrival.
    2. 48 hours before arrival, email [email protected] to advise of your arrival date, time and port.  Ask to schedule an appointment to have the vet inspect the dog. 
 
  • Clear in: It is variable as to whether the government vet is required to inspect your dog.  We have never had an inspection but others have had it completed for their dog.
  • Have on Hand: “All Countries” documentation + import permit​
  • Our overall experience with the pet import process: I filled out the pet permit form one week before we arrived in Carriacou and sent the request to the government website.  I received the import permit within a couple of days.  At the time of my request I had said that the departing country was St. Lucia but we ended up bypassing St. Lucia due to Tropical Storm Bret.  I also only had a heath certificate from the USVI, which was 5 weeks old and not the required 2 weeks old.  In Carriacou, the clearing in agent didn’t even look at any of the pet documents.  If she had, she may still have been okay with the age of the health certificate.  Worst case scenario, I may have had to pay a fine.