Whats the cost at customs

[jsgsail]

Can anyone give me an idea what to expect when entering another country (Caribbean) via sailboat.
I''m wondering if they charge$ per foot and how long can you stay anchored, and if you need to declare every ounce of liquor/cigar/gun(s).

If you want to stop overnight in the Bahamas on your way to the Turks do you have to pay that 300 bucks I read about.
Also any web sites or resources out there.
Thanks for any responses (43''sailboat)
Jeff

[sailnaway]

I see no one has given you much to go on.
First don''t take any guns forget it bad idea as much as we would like to protect ourselfs bad JuJu. You will end up in prison and they don''t give a dam about your lawyer or who you are.Each country or island has its own set of tax rules and entry fees some are as little as $15.00 some three hundred dollars like the Bahamas. This depends on where you are cruising to. Be calm and don''t push the customs man if you get pushy you will get the shaft. get a carton of Marbouro cigs when the man comes aboard place an open pack on the table and offer him a smoke even if you hat them. Allow the official to take the pack or even offer him a full pack as well.Be friendly and show respect for his athority and have your papers in order. Never let them take your papers.Apply to the countries you plan to visit for visas in advance this helps them establish the fact that you will obey thier laws. But again no guns no bullets.

[soswayne]

You can go onto the website www.noonsite.com and learn about the procedures for entering any country as a cruiser,

Jimmy Cornell, who owns this site, has also published 3 books for world cruisers. The World Cruising Routes and World Cruising Handbook both have excellent information on the above. The website is more up to date than the book, of course.

Many countries, such as the Bahamas, now have web sites to help you to gather information.

Capt Wayne

[soswayne]

You can go onto the website www.noonsite.com and learn about the procedures for entering any country as a cruiser,

Jimmy Cornell, who owns this site, has also published 3 books for world cruisers. The World Cruising Routes and World Cruising Handbook both have excellent information on the above. The website is more up to date than the book, of course.

Many countries, such as the Bahamas, now have web sites to help you to gather information.

Capt Wayne

[jsgsail]

Thankyou both for the Info, I will check out the web sites

[chuck711]

We are just now completing our trip from Detroit to Trinidad. We left in August 2003
and just cleared into the USA ( PR ). Met IVAN in Grenada but other than that it was a great and interesting trip on our Cal 33.
No water maker or fridge. Reduced all the dependency on Amps.
Did electronic charts all the way. Enjoyed living on the boat. I´m 51 and my mate is 43.
Used cruising guides and Capn Bob ? guides( ICW and erie canal )for info. No problem.
You could do the trip in one year and after reaching Grenada turn around and head back to the USA instead of waiting out hurricane season down there. We found the average cost
to clear in is $30.French ports are free. Turks was $5.00. DR was $83. Trinidad was $9.00 for 4 months. USA are free. Paid $150
in the Bahamas ( we were under 35 feet ).
In antigua if you clear in Jolly Harbor you save a lot and is a good place to provision.
Buy lots ( provisions )in St. Martin on the Dutch side ( great prices )but clear in on the French side ( Marigot).