To enter The Islands of The Bahamas, private pilots need:
- Three (3) copies of the C7A Bahamas Cruising Permit form
- One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person
- Proof of citizenship - current Passport
Private Pilots visiting The Islands of The Bahamas should expect the following:
*No Overtime Customs and Immigration Fee-for private aircraft visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas where the pilot declares that he/she does not receive any remuneration and the flight is for recreational purposes.
*No Transire-(C38) is needed for private pilots, cruising through The Islands Of The Bahamas for pleasure (a copy of the C7A will suffice.
*No Tie Down Fee - at any government owned airport. Tie Down Fees may apply at private airports.
*A Flight Plan must be filed-activate prior to entering The Islands Of The Bahamas and closed after landing. When leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas it is mandatory to file a new flight plan.
To Leave The Islands of The Bahamas Private Pilots Need:
*No Landing fee-for single engine private planes under 6,000 lbs. on a non-commercial trip at any government-owned airport. Landing Fee may apply at private airports.
a) One copy of The Bahamas Customs General Declaration Outward Form (C7)
b) To turn in The Bahamas Immigration card copy
c) To file a flight plan
d) Call and Advise U.S. Customs of your ETA via a land line and get "code" from Custom Officer
All persons, six years and over leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, pay a Government Departure Tax of $15.00.
Outward Bound - From United States
1. Make sure you have your passport.
2. File an International Flight Plan.
3. Must have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for each person on board.
4. Activate your Flight Plan before leaving Florida on 122.2, 122.4 or 126.7 (Miami Radio) leaving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, WPB, and 122.5 out of Ft. Pierce area.
5. Prior to landing, close flight plan on 124.2 or 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or 122.3 (Freeport Radio). If unable to close it in the air, use 1-800-WX BRIEF or 242-377-7116 on the ground. In Exuma, 118.0 (Exuma advisory).
6. Ensure your first landing in The Bahamas is at an Airport of Entry (AOE) and clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration.
7. Have all your documents prepared in advance, if possible. This allows for smoother processing.
8. Be cooperative with Customs and Immigration; they are there to assist you.
9. You may cruise the entire Bahamas with a C7A Cruising Permit, but your last point of departure from The Bahamas must be an Airport of Entry. There, you will be given clearance to leave the country.
Inward Bound - To United States
1. You must depart from an Airport of Entry (AOE).
2. File one copy of The Bahamas Customs (C7) and turn in The Bahamas immigration carbon copy.
3. Pay departure tax of $15 per person.
4. Call and advise U.S. Custom of your ETA via a land line and get "code" from the Customs Officer.
5. File an International Flight Plan 242-377-7116 or (1-800-WX-BRIEF). If in the air, call Nassau Radio on 124.2, 128.0.
6. Activate your flight plan with Nassau on 124.2, 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or 122.3 (Freeport Radio). If you are unable to do this, activate with Miami Radio 126.7, 126.9 or 118.4. In Bimini, activate your flight plan on 122.1(Miami Remote no voice) or listen to Bimini VOR 116.7.
7. VFR flights must receive a discrete transponder code from FSS 126.7 (Miami Radio) before penetrating the ADIZ zone. Flight Service is responsible, not Approach Control.
8. Prior to landing close your flight plan on 126.7. If you are not able to, close at Customs office with 1-800-WX -BRIEF
9. You must land at an Airport of Entry on the East Coast.
10. Take all baggage out of airplane and proceed directly to Customs.
11. Prepare the necessary documents, U.S. Arrival Report (pilots only) and Customs Declaration cards (1 per family). Please fill out in advance if possible.
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Things book up well in advance in The Bahamas, so don’t hang about! Take a look at the below pages, here on our website, to see what’s available at the moment.
