Three customs regimes, one region
| Regime | Islands | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| US territory | Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands | Mainland US goods arrive as domestic freight. No import duty, fast clearance. |
| French / EU | Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Martin, St Barths | Mainland French product moves EU-internal. Light paperwork, EU pricing. |
| Independent & British territories | Antigua, St Lucia, BVI, Grenada, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas | Import duty and handling apply, rates and paperwork vary by island. |
In-transit and duty-free provisioning
Most Caribbean jurisdictions allow yachts in transit to take stores under relief, particularly alcohol and tobacco, when the goods are sealed and the yacht is clearing outward. The relief is real but conditional — it depends on the yacht's status, the port and the paperwork being filed before delivery, not after.
- Relief is applied for ahead of delivery; it cannot be claimed retrospectively at the gangway.
- Stores usually need to be delivered sealed and logged against the yacht's outward clearance.
- Commercially registered yachts have more scope than private ones in several islands.
- Your agent or captain remains responsible for the yacht's own clearance; we handle the provisions paperwork.
Alcohol and fresh produce
- Alcohol carries the highest duty rates in most islands — this is where in-transit relief matters most.
- Fresh produce, meat and dairy face phytosanitary and veterinary restrictions moving between islands. Sourcing locally is often faster than importing.
- Some islands restrict landing of certain fruit and plant material entirely; we plan around it rather than risk a seizure at delivery.
- Frozen and chilled goods need documented cold chain to clear cleanly in several ports.
What we handle
For every delivery we prepare the provisions documentation, coordinate clearance with the local broker, and quote landed cost including duty where it applies. We do not act as the yacht's customs agent for the vessel itself, and we will tell you when something you have asked for is not importable in that port.
Frequently asked
Can yachts buy provisions duty-free in the Caribbean?
In many ports, yes — yachts in transit can take stores under relief, especially alcohol, when the paperwork is filed before delivery and the goods are sealed.
Which Caribbean ports have no import duty?
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands treat US-origin goods as domestic. The French islands move mainland EU product without import duty.
Do you include duty in the quote?
Yes, where it applies. We quote landed cost so the approved figure is the invoiced figure.
Can we move provisions between islands ourselves?
Fresh produce, meat and dairy are restricted between several islands. Ask before you plan on it — we will tell you what travels and what doesn't.