Current Bahamas travel - Clearance procedures

[zigzag930]

Guys,

We are planning to depart SW Florida 5/23 bound for the Exumas. I am having a hard time getting a straight answer regarding clearance requirements, specifically the "72hr" window.

I've been told at least three different versions of the 72hr window:

1) Must arrive and clear in within 72hrs of the PCR test
2) Arriving outside the 72hr window is acceptable if the boat has not made any stops
3) The 72hr window is actually between taking the PRC test and submitting it for health visa and the it has nothing to do with when you actually clear in.

We are on a slow moving 58LRC and depending on weather, we might make it in the 72hrs, but on the other hand - it may take 4-5 days or more.

Don't want to arrive in Chub to be told go home. We were planning to bypass Bimini, but maybe that is the only way to shorten or travel time....

Appreciate any assistance on this.

 

[Hat52MY]

Are you leveraging the Click-2-Clear? I'm looking to make the same voyage leave out of FLL and check in at Chub. This is my understanding based on THE BAHAMAS website and validated with the US Embassy. You get 72 hours. If it takes more than 72hrs, its their call to either make you take an additional test, quartile you, or send you packing.... Given the islands, I would suspect, they would just make you take another test.

Vaccinated Travelers:  Those traveling to The Bahamas from other countries will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR), taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

Unvaccinated Travelers:  Unvaccinated travelers, ages 12 and older, entering The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (including PCR, NAA, NAAT, TMA or RNA) test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival.


Additional Resources:
https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/visitor-info/marine-vessel-declarations-cruising-permits/
https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates
https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

 

[Hat52MY]

two additional pieces of information per US Embassy:

- For questions, contact the Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 Travel Compliance Unit at 1-786-471-5898 (USA) or at +1 (242) 604-7200 or +1 (242) 502-0829 (The Bahamas) or via email to healthvisa@bahamas.com.

- Vessels other than cruise ships: Anyone who is at sea on the second day of his stay is required to undergo a Rapid Antigen test at the first port of call thereafter and submit the result via the travel health visa website at https://travel.gov.bs. If a visitor traveling by boat is symptomatic, they must go to the first port of call and submit to a RT PCR COVID-19 test and mandatory isolation until the test results are available. If the RT PCR COVID-19 test result is positive, the individual must remain in mandatory isolation for 7 days, however if they test negative on Day 5, they may be released from isolation. or the duration of stay, whichever is shorter.

 

[Pascal]

We ve been going a dozen time in the last 18 months since this red flu hysteria started, last trip was in March. We re heading back to the Exumas in a couple of weeks

You have 3 days to arrive in the Bahamas from the day you take the test. So if you take the test on Monday, you need to arrive no later than Thursday.

When travelong by private boat, if you arrive afterr 3 days, you may need to show that you were underway using GPS track for example.

If vaxed you can take a rapid antigen test with almost immediate results. If not vaxed you need a RT-PCR test. Usually this takes 24-36 hours but there some testing sites which get you 3 hours results. I ve done the last two in Key Biscayne with Curative and I got results right away.

I apply for visas right after getting the test results and get the visas the same day.

Since March, follow up testing after arrival has been eliminated.

Click2Clear is irrelevant for the health visas but is pretty much mandatory and a PITA to use

 

[Scarlett]

What ever you do, do not call the Bahamas health number. 1 they are not very helpful and 2 the call cost us $50.00.

 

[zigzag930]

I have spoke to the Bahamas consulate, ministry, etc. Each of these institutions has provided me with a different answer. Even the websites read differently with some saying "72 hours before departing for the Bahamas" and others saying "72 hours before arriving in the Bahamas. I'm thinking they most likely assume that departure and arrival will be on the same day.

I have posted my question (via email) to the department responsible for issuing the health visa, hoping to obtain a written statement of what they will accept in specific terms (as it relates to my situation of possibly arriving outside the window)

Pascal, I believe you have confirmed my understanding of how things work. I will have a GPS track, but still concerned about being turned away for some ridiculous reason. What I'm wondering is if they're going to look specifically at the hour of the test or is it basically 3 days?

We will take our PCR tests Monday morning, then send the results in so that we can obtain the health visa (hopefully) Monday afternoon or Tuesday. At that point we plan to head over to the Bahamas on Tuesday giving us until Thursday to get to Chubb.

 

[Pascal]

Yes there has been some confusion about the fact timing. It is not 72 hours from the time you get the brain stabbed but 72 hours as in three days.

There has been a lot of discussion over rules on various bahamas groups and I have never heard of anyone being turned away because they arrived a day late. To be safe, take a picture when leaving the harbor entrance which will have the time stamp and the geolocation. Then take another one entering the cut at cat cay…. That will prove you were underway

Couple more things.

If you don’t use Click2Clear they will make you use it when you get there so you may as well do it in advance.
When you go to Click2Clear click on the cruising permit button , you don’t have to login the system
When you start processing your trip, you will be assign a rotation number. Take a screen shot. Without the number you have to start all over
Note that the rotation number and your registration or documentation is case sensitive and must be entered as shown in the screen shot. You just include the PCR- prefix in caps!
Never use your browser back button or you will have to enter the PCR number again
When returning to the US you must clear out (since July 2020). You need to print your outbound clearance in Click2Clear, pulling your entry with the rotation number) and then submit it in person. Keep a stamped copy as proof

Finally, always book Chub online, much cheaper. If extending your stay beware that rate may go up without notice !

 

[zigzag930]

Pascal - Thank you.

 

[zigzag930]

So now for the interesting part. We've checked on PCR test turn-around and are being told 48-72hrs by CVS, Walgreens, etc. So how in the world do you get tested, wait 72hrs for the result and be able to successfully obtain the health travel visa, nevertheless make it to the Bahamas? What a PITA this is

 

[Pascal]

As mentioned before you need to find a place which does rapid PCR test. That’s what we ve been doing since they shortened the time from 5 to 3 days last year. Forget CVS etc.

We ve used Curative on a key Biscayne but they have other locations that provide rapid PCR. Results in a couple of hours. in addition to key Biscayne there is one in Ft lauderdale, Miami Beach and plan beach I believe. Check the map on their website

 

[Bugsy]

We got NAAT test at Walgreens. This is an accepted PCR test....not a rapid antigen. It took less than 2 hours to get the results. Walgreens was calling this "LiveNow".
I have a copy of the Order that stipulates that so long as you can establish you proceeded directly from the States, the 72 hour will be extended. See Pascal's reference re GPS track and photo.

 

[zigzag930]

Thanks guys.

Pascal. I didn't know there was a "Rapid" PCR test, but I did find it locally here in SW Florida and we're scheduled for 5/23. THANKS for the heads up on that.

Amazingly I tried googling PCR test with same day results for hours and "rapid PCR" didn't come once.

 

[Bugsy]

In my opinion, this "process" reflects VERY adversely on the Bahamas and I think that's a shame. A few years ago, an officer clearing me in at Palm Bay wanted a $50. "service fee". I said "No!". She called over marina staff and I offered to call headquarters. It ended there.
I'm trying to "register" for "Click2Clear".....and it's not going well nNothing is uploading and I suspect it's because of the Android OS.
Pascal ...one boat. Do all pax have to register on "Click2Clear" or only "Master"?

 

[Pascal]

Yes you have to upload passports and health visas for everybody on board…

I ve done a few trips now using the system, not the most user friendly website but it works

 

[Bugsy]

Good morning,

Registration is only required for persons importing goods into the country. Once an application is approved, that is the end of the process for individual users. You will proceed to your broker who will prepare paperwork on your behalf. There are no login credentials for individual profiles hence why you were not required to choose one.

Please note that all notifications in relation to declarations will be sent via email to the email provided at the time or registration.

ITU Help Desk
Bahamas Customs & Excise Department

 

[Bugsy]

You're welcome. Yes, a cruising permit is required.

A username or password/registration is not required to create cruising permits. The login feature is used only by licensed brokers and couriers when clearing goods.

To access the website click this link https://www.besw.gov.bs/TFBSEW/cusLogin/signin.cl then click the yellow "Request Cruising Permit" button. Click on "Pleasure Vessel" and "Create Inbound".

 

[Pascal]

If doing it from your phone or tablet, you need to tap the menu icon at the top left (3 dashes) and select “Pleasure craft” then “create inbound”

Note that if you have travelled to the bahamas using Click2Clear before you can save some entry time by cloning the last trip…. Instead of “create inbound”, select “search inbound”. Select existing, type your last rotation number and boat doc or Reg and submit. It will pull your data. In the next screen tap the three dots next to your boat name and select “clone”. You will get a new rotation number with a lot of the data already carried over from your last trip

 

[Bugsy]

Forgive me, Pascal but your job requires that you expend valuable time complying with this bureaucratic morass. I have wasted literally hours trying...and trying...to complete the requisite forms and at each step, I've encountered some sort of "freeze" or roadblock and am unable to proceed . I may be exaggerating my skill-set yet I honestly don't think I'm stupid and I know others are doing it without issue on a daily basis....so it MUST be me!!! The Bahamas may not care but I'm sure there are others like me who will say; "To hell with this!"
At this point, I'll get the Health Visa and show up at Customs and "deal with it".

 

[zigzag930]

Pascal,

Do you have time to talk by telephone for a few? I'd like to get some specific Exumas/Eleuthera information that you might be able to help.

If you could PM me your tel# and a good time to talk, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks
J

 

[Pascal]

Buggy, I agree the website is terrible. Having done a lot programming and coding, as far back as the mid 80s and also some website programming, I am pretty good as find work around and short cuts. You re not the only one struggling with it, Click2Clear is frequent topic on various bahamas cruising groups

Zigzag, pm sent