A guide to Click2Clear – How to Clear into the Bahamas

In March 2023, we took our first trip to the Bahamas on our sailboat. Some of our biggest questions before we left was how do we clear in and out of the Bahamas with their Customs and Immigration, and what are the costs associated with the Temporary Cruising Permit?

I did some research and quickly learned about Bahamas Click2Clear. Click2Clear is the Bahamian Customs online tool for clearing into the Bahamas. They require the use of Click2Clear for entry into the Bahamas.

Having gone through the process of checking in the Bahamas using Click2Clear, below I provide a click to clear tutorial that explains the process and costs. I also give helpful tips on how to fill out the online forms, and answer some frequently asked questions.

How Do You Clear Into the Bahamas by Boat?

Before arriving to the Bahamas by boat, you will want to enter your information into Click2Clear. While you don’t necessarily have to enter this information in Click 2 Clear ahead of time, it is strongly recommended. By doing so, it will make the clearing-in process much quicker and more efficient. We entered our information into Click2Clear the day before we left for the Bahamas, and they had the information when we cleared in.

What is the Cost for a Temporary Cruising Permit in the Bahamas?

Before I go any further into the Click2Clear process, I wanted to share with you the costs associated with getting your Temporary Cruising Permit. According to the Bahamas Customs website, here are the fees associated with receiving a Temporary Cruising Permit. These fees also include a Fishing Permit for the duration of your cruising permit.

Pleasure Vessels Not Exceeding 34 feet:

$150.00 (3 months)

$300.00 (12 months)

Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 34 feet but less than 100 feet:

$300.00 (3 months)

$600.00 (12 months)

Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 100 feet but less than 150 feet:

$500.00 (3 months)

$1,000.00 (12 months)

Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 150 feet but less than 200 feet:

$800.00 (3 months)

$1,600.00 (12 months)

Pleasure Vessels Exceeding 200 feet:

$1,000.00 (3 months)

$2,000.00 (12 months)

It should be noted that these fees include:

• Cruising Permit fees
• Fishing Permit fees
• Attendance fees for both Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers
• Transportation fees for both Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers
• Re-entry of vessel if within 90 days

How to Use Click2Clear

Now knowing the cost of the Temporary Cruising Permit, lets move on to how to apply using Click2Clear. I found Click2Clear to be a great tool, once I figured out a few things on how to use it. It can be confusing when you’re first getting started.

Google “Click2Clear SEW”, which will take you to this page. From here, I recommend watching the Bahamas Customs Official Youtube Video: Click2Clear Cruising Permit Module: Inward Declarations (Tutorial) to get started in the system.

What Information Do I Need to Submit in Click2Clear?

Below is a list of the information currently being asked for in Click2Clear, organized by the tabs in the tool:

Header

1. Vessel Name
2. Vessel Registration No.
3. Country of Registration
4. Owner Name
5. Owner Contact No.
6. Address
7. Date of Arrival
8. Intended Date of Departure
9. Port of Arrival
10. Customs Port of Arrival
11. Previous Country
12. Previous Port
13. Next Country
14. Next Port
15. Email

After hitting save, your Rotation No. starting with “PCR-” will pop up. It is extremely important to write down this number and save it somewhere you can find it again!

Maritime Declaration of Health

1. Has there been onboard during the voyage of any case or suspected case of plague, cholera, yellow fever or small pox?
2. Has plague occurred or been suspected among rats or mice onboard during the voage or has there been an unusual mortality among them?
3. Has any person died onboard during the voyage otherwise than a result of accident?
4. Give Particulars
5. Is there onboard during the voyage a case of illness which you suspect to be of an infectious nature?
6. Give Particulars
7. Is there any sick person onboard now?
8. Are you aware of any other conditions on board which may lead to infectious disease?

After answering these questions, click on SAVE before moving to the next tab.

Vessel Details

1. GPS (Y/N)
2. Vessel Type
3. Purpose of Visit
4. Home Port
5. Hull Material
6. Hull Color
7. Year of Boat (YYYY)
8. Gross Tonnage
9. No. of Masts
10. No. of Decks
11. No. of Cabins
12. Vessel Length in Feet
13. Value of Vessel ($)
14. Width
15. No. of Inboard Engines
    1. Engine Details (use + sign at bottom of page)
16. No. of Outboard Engines (Not mandatory)
    1. Engine Details (use + sign at bottom of page)
17. Registration Certificate Derating Exemption (Not mandatory)

After filling this information out on this tab, you will see on the bottom of the page a place to click to add engine details. After clicking on that, click on the plus sign on the right side of the page to add the following information:

• Motor Type (inboard or outboard)
• Brand Name
• Horsepower

You will need to add this information for each engine you have. When you are finished, click SAVE and move on to the next tab.

Crew/Passenger Details

You will need to fill out this information for yourself as well as all other crew/passengers aboard the vessel with you. Note that you will need everyone’s passport to complete this tab.

1. First Name
2. Last Name
3. Crew/Passenger Type (Crew, Master (Captain), Passenger)
4. Nationality
5. Date of Birth
6. Gender
7. Passport Number
8. Country of Issue
9. Date of Issue
10. Date of Expiry
11. Country of Residence
12. Mobile
13. Address

Stores Onboard

This is the section to enter information for live animals, weapons, etc. Since we are traveling with a dog, this is where we put the information that we have a dog with us. Note however, that the documentation for the dog goes in the Documents tab.

Your options for stores onboard include:

1. Live Animals
2. None
3. Others
4. Stores
5. Tender
6. Weapons

In regards to food, wine, beer, liquor etc., we did not indicate those as stores here. While we did have plenty of each onboard, we only had enough for us to consume for our stay in the Bahamas. We were not bringing anything extra with us to sell, for example. We did not get asked any questions about our food and drink provisioning when we cleared in at Bimini.

Documents

This is where you will upload all required documentation. Documents that we uploaded included:

• Our USCG Documentation Certificate (if your vessel is not USCG Documented, you would upload your state registration)
• Documentation of Mangaux’s vet records indicating the date of his latest rabies vaccine.
• The completed Veterinary Health Certificate (IMP1 (B) Form)
• Bahamas Pet Import Permit

With all these documents uploaded and available to Customs, we did not get asked any questions regarding Mangaux or our vessel.

There is a line item for COVID-19 Travel Visa. Since the requirements have changed when we went to the Bahamas, and they no longer require a COVID test or proof of vaccination, we left this line item alone and did not enter any information.

Summary

Next you will need to review the information you entered, then hit validate and submit. They will also tell you your total amount due on this page.

Note: We applied for a 3-month cruising permit for our 45-foot sailboat, which costs $300. For some reason, on this page it showed that we owed $600. I still cannot explain why, nor could I get this amount to change on this page even after reviewing all of the information I entered. After I validated and submitted my information, and I went to the page where you submit the payment, it showed the correct amount of $300, which is what we paid.

After you click validate, this window will pop up:

After you hit Submit, it will take you back to the dashboard and you will see your PCR number and entry as a line item, with the status as showing Pending Payment.

How to Make Payment Online

While you don’t have to pay ahead of time, this is another step that I highly recommend doing before you get there. It will make your check-in process quicker and more efficient. I also recommend printing your receipt, or the page showing you have submitted payment and bring this with you when you go to check in.

To make payment, there is a Payment line item on the left side of the Dashboard. Select Pleasure Craft Payment, then enter your PCR number (don’t forget to include “PCR-“ before the number) where it asks for Business Transaction Number.

Once you have entered your Business Transaction Number, it will tell you that your status is Pending Payment. On the top of the page, there will be a tab for Payment. Here you will select your Payment method (online). Once you confirm this, it will take you to a third party website, PlugnPlay, where you will enter your credit card information for payment.

After you make your online payment, you will want to make sure that your status has changed. The status will change to Pending Customs Review (or something similar).

To do this, go back to the dashboard in Click 2 Clear. Search your entry by going to Search Inbound. Here you will enter the following information:

• Registration Type (Existing)
• Rotation No. (PCR Number)
• Vessel Registration Number

Check that your status has changed to Pending Customs Review. From here you can print your Temporary Cruising Permit, that you will want to bring with you to the Customs office. Click on the 3 dots to the right of the screen to print.

What about Immigration?

It is still unclear to me whether you must check into Customs first or Immigrations first when clearing into the Bahamas.  We were under the impression that technically, you need to clear Immigration first, however, in our experience when checking in at Bimini, we came across the Customs office first. The Customs office is located at Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina, a short walk from where we were at Bimini Blue Water Marina. As Scott was walking to the Immigration office, he walked past the Customs office, who informed him it was ok to clear in with them first.

After clearing in with Customs, Scott continued to the Immigration office, where he filled out the Disembarkation/Embarkation Card. While we did not technically do this in the ‘proper order’, we did not have any issues with going to Customs first and then to Immigration for our check in.

Who Can Go to Clear-in at Customs and Immigration?

For both the Customs and Immigration check-in, only the captain (documented as Master in Click2Clear) may go in person to clear in. All other crew and passengers need to remain on the vessel, with the yellow quarantine flag flying. Once the captain returns with the Temporary Cruising Permit, you can change out the quarantine flag for the Bahamian Courtesy Flag. Make sure the captain brings with him all passports from everyone onboard the vessel.

I hope you find this article helpful and you have a smooth process when you clear in with Customs and Immigration in the Bahamas. Enjoy your trip!

Live your dream,