Yacht Clearance in Sint Maarten: Documents, Offices and Timing

Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin have separate clearance procedures. For a Dutch-side call, Government Customs lists the authorized ports and marinas. A Simpson Bay Lagoon call also involves SLAC formalities and, where applicable, bridge and harbour charges.

Follow the procedure for the side where the yacht arrives. Do not assume clearance on one side covers the other unless the relevant authority says so for that movement.

SLAC’s current public list calls for immigration clearance, customs clearance, the vessel registry, insurance and the last fee invoice where applicable. Also keep the previous-port clearance, crew and passenger lists and passports ready, with the originals onboard.

Ask early whether visas, seafarer records, charter papers, firearms, pets, controlled goods or cargo create additional requirements. Personal documents should be shared only through the agency’s agreed private channel, never through a public form or open group chat.

Before departure, ask where outward clearance will be handled, how much notice is needed, how any charges are paid and which documents are needed for clearance and the next port. Leave enough time to settle the charges and collect the paperwork before the yacht moves.

Update the crew and guest lists if the people onboard or the itinerary changes. Nobody should disembark, and the yacht should not depart, until the attending authority or appointed agent says the formalities are complete.

For a French-side movement, the Port of Saint-Martin requires the arrival or departure to be entered online and then finalized with the port office. Its published pack includes the previous-port clearance, registration, insurance, crew and passenger lists and passports. Do not merge that process with the Dutch-side file.