Clearance & Regulations
Entering St. Maarten / Saint Martin by yacht is simple when you know the steps.
Step-by-Step
Entry Process
Whether you’re stopping for provisioning or staying for the season, our ports and marinas are equipped to make clearance fast and efficient. Follow the procedures below to ensure a smooth arrival and departure.
Documents Required
When clearing your vessel in, present:
• Clearance from your last port of departure
• Immigration clearance documents
• Customs clearance documents
• Vessel registry document
• Crew list and passports
Port of Entry
All vessels arriving in Dutch St. Maarten waters must clear in and out through Immigration and Customs.
Clearance can be completed at:
• Simpson Bay
• Great Bay (Philipsburg)
All vessels must report to Immigration and Customs immediately upon arrival and prior to departure.
Police Dock
The Police Dock at the Simpson Bay Bridge channel is for dinghies accessing Police, Immigration, Customs, or the Lagoon Authority only. It may be used for pick-ups and drop-offs but must not be left unattended. This is also an active ferry dock.
Fees
In addition to Immigration clearance, all vessels entering Simpson Bay and Simpson Bay Lagoon are legally required to clear in with the Lagoon Authority Collection Office, located at the Police Station just west of the Simpson Bay Bridge.
Bridge, Harbor, and Clearance Fees are due immediately upon arrival.
- $5 – Vessels up to 99 gross tons
- $10 – Vessels between 100 and 499 gross tons
- $20 – Vessels over 500 gross tons. A fee is also charged for vessels staying at anchor.
Bridge fees are payable upon clearing out from the lagoon.
Police Dock
The Police Dock at the Simpson Bay Bridge channel is for dinghies accessing Police, Immigration, Customs, or the Lagoon Authority only. It may be used for pick-ups and drop-offs but must not be left unattended. This is also an active ferry dock.
Documents Required
When clearing your vessel in, present:
• Original boat registration
• Insurance certificate
• Crew list and passports
Port of Entry
All vessels arriving in French Saint-Martin must complete immigration formalities online via the official French government portal at demarche.numerique.gouv.fr before or upon arrival.
Once submitted, a confirmation link is sent by email to download or print your clearance certificate. No wet stamp is required on Saint-Martin — the only island in the territory that requires one is St. Barths.
Clearance can be completed at:
- Marina Fort Louis (Marigot)
- Ile Marine or other authorized chandleries (digital terminals / bornes)
- Marigot Ferry Terminal Port Authority (if using a mooring in Marigot Bay)
All vessels must report to Immigration and Customs immediately upon arrival and prior to departure.
Fees
Clearance fees are generally €5–€15, payable upon completing your declaration.
Clearance is valid for up to three months.
The French side operates as a duty-free zone for goods. Weapons must be declared.
Port Authority Notice
The Port Authority at the Marigot Ferry Terminal may attempt to collect anchoring fees from cruising yachts — these fees apply to commercial vessels only. If you wish to avoid this, an alternative is to clear out and obtain your St. Barths wet stamp in Anse Marcel instead.
Port office hours: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Documents Required
When clearing your vessel in, present:
• Clearance from your last port of departure
• Immigration clearance documents
• Customs clearance documents
• Vessel registry document
• Crew list and passports
Port of Entry
All vessels arriving in Dutch St. Maarten waters must clear in and out through Immigration and Customs.
Clearance can be completed at:
• Simpson Bay
• Great Bay (Philipsburg)
All vessels must report to Immigration and Customs immediately upon arrival and prior to departure.
Police Dock
The Police Dock at the Simpson Bay Bridge channel is for dinghies accessing Police, Immigration, Customs, or the Lagoon Authority only. It may be used for pick-ups and drop-offs but must not be left unattended. This is also an active ferry dock.
Fees
In addition to Immigration clearance, all vessels entering Simpson Bay and Simpson Bay Lagoon are legally required to clear in with the Lagoon Authority Collection Office, located at the Police Station just west of the Simpson Bay Bridge.
Bridge, Harbor, and Clearance Fees are due immediately upon arrival.
- $5 – Vessels up to 99 gross tons
- $10 – Vessels between 100 and 499 gross tons
- $20 – Vessels over 500 gross tons. A fee is also charged for vessels staying at anchor.
Bridge fees are payable upon clearing out from the lagoon.
Police Dock
The Police Dock at the Simpson Bay Bridge channel is for dinghies accessing Police, Immigration, Customs, or the Lagoon Authority only. It may be used for pick-ups and drop-offs but must not be left unattended. This is also an active ferry dock.
Documents Required
When clearing your vessel in, present:
• Original boat registration
• Insurance certificate
• Crew list and passports
Port of Entry
All vessels arriving in French Saint-Martin must complete immigration formalities online via the official French government portal at demarche.numerique.gouv.fr before or upon arrival.
Once submitted, a confirmation link is sent by email to download or print your clearance certificate. No wet stamp is required on Saint-Martin — the only island in the territory that requires one is St. Barths.
Clearance can be completed at:
- Marina Fort Louis (Marigot)
- Ile Marine or other authorized chandleries (digital terminals / bornes)
- Marigot Ferry Terminal Port Authority (if using a mooring in Marigot Bay)
All vessels must report to Immigration and Customs immediately upon arrival and prior to departure.
Fees
Clearance fees are generally €5–€15, payable upon completing your declaration.
Clearance is valid for up to three months.
The French side operates as a duty-free zone for goods. Weapons must be declared.
Port Authority Notice
The Port Authority at the Marigot Ferry Terminal may attempt to collect anchoring fees from cruising yachts — these fees apply to commercial vessels only. If you wish to avoid this, an alternative is to clear out and obtain your St. Barths wet stamp in Anse Marcel instead.
Port office hours: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Clear Through
an Agent
Not sure where to start? A local clearance agent can handle the entire process on your behalf — documentation, online declarations, and port authority coordination included. Browse our directory to search for an agent.
Customs &
Immigration
The island is a duty-free zone and therefore goods can be imported free of payment and formalities.
In general, visiting yachtsmen are permitted to stay on the island for a maximum period of three months. This will sometimes vary according to your nationality and so it is best to enquire when clearing in. Visiting Crew members from countries on the visa required list without a visa can par- take in the visa waiver program.
For more information on this program please e-mail the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association office.
Important Regulations
Drugs & Firearms
Illegal drugs and undeclared firearms, ammunition, or explosives are strictly prohibited. All firearms, ammunition and explosives carried aboard your vessel should be declared to the authorities when you clear in. Violations may result in fines, vessel impoundment, or imprisonment.
Buoyage System
Both sides use the American “red-right-returning” system. Exercise caution when crossing Simpson Bay Lagoon, as shoaling may affect vessels drawing around six feet.
Safety & Security
Numerous reefs surround St. Maarten and neighboring islands. Captains are strongly advised to use up-to-date nautical charts, as marina and anchorage entrances can be deceptive. Recommended cruising guides include those by Chris Doyle, Cruising Guide Publications, and Donald Street, but they should always be used in conjunction with official local charts.
Area Guide
Numerous reefs surround St. Maarten and neighboring islands. Captains are strongly advised to use up-to-date nautical charts, as marina and anchorage entrances can be deceptive. Recommended cruising guides include those by Chris Doyle, Cruising Guide Publications, and Donald Street, but they should always be used in conjunction with official local charts.