Bonaire - Clearance

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

PRE-ARRIVAL

Bonaire Customs has confirmed that they are conducting a trial with the advance web notification service for clearance - SailClear. Completing the online forms prior to checking in aims to save a lot of time at Customs. As this is a trial, there are no Customs computers available for Skippers to complete the forms on arrival as yet (like there are in other islands that use this system), so Skippers should log into SailClear if possible prior to arrival in Bonaire and complete the paperwork in advance. For a full explanation of this service and other web clearance services in the Caribbean see report: Eastern Caribbean Cruising: Clearance Procedures Simplified.

Introduced in July 1, 2022, visitors to Bonaire must now pay a tourist entry tax of $75 per person, per visit.  It can be paid online up to 7 days prior to arrival. See Fees for details.

Ports of Entry:

No stop should be made before clearing in at Kralendijk.

General Process:

• Anchoring is prohibited in Bonaire.
• Yachts clearing in should proceed to an available mooring (red and white) or the arrivals dock at one of the marinas. Contact the Harbour Village Marina on VHF Ch.17 to check on availability before picking up a mooring. See Docking for more details.
• Clearance must be made with Customs and Immigration during working hours.
• Working hours are stated as 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, Customs and Immigration offices are often closed Saturday and Sunday afternoons as well as from 12:00 to 14:00 for lunch.
• If you arrive and they are closed, it is fine to clear in the following day
• Customs and Immigration officials are located in the yellow building (red roof) at the end of the North Pier. This Pier (on the Navionics map at 12° 08.984″N 68° 16.680″W) is the large L shaped one for commercial vessels/cruise ships. Cruisers can dinghy to Karel's Bar.
• Sometimes there is only one Immigration officer on duty, and he/she is sometimes at the airport instead of the Customs office. They will usually give you a time when the Immigration officer will be there.
• All crew must be present to complete clearance formalities.
• A zarpe from the previous port is required.
• Introduced in July 1, 2022, visitors to Bonaire must now pay a tourist entry tax of $75 per person, per visit. See Fees for details.

CLEARING OUT:

As per clearing in, all crew must be present to be cleared out of the country by immigration officials.

Immigration will normally provide clearance out of Bonaire free of charge. However, if one wants a zarpe, or proof of exiting Bonaire, there is a fee.

Last updated:  June 2023