Passengers

Each passenger must have a current passport

Children traveling with only one parent must have a notarized statement of approval from the absent parent stating the dates of the trip.

Equipment

US Customs and Border Protection requires an annual user fee decal. Allow a few weeks for delivery. You can buy decals online.

For decal questions, call (317)-298-1245 or send an email to decals@dhs.gov.

You can download a paper application here.

A standard Airworthiness Certificate

(The Bahamas Civil Aviation Department has a Standardized Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate for Experimental and Amateur-Built Aircraft.)

A permanent registration certificate (no temporary certificates/pink slips)

A radio station license. For more information on FCC requirements, click here.

Operating limitations information

Weight and Balance information

A life vest/flotation device for each person aboard. (It’s recommended you also carry a life raft.)

An ID data plate

12-inch registration marks

Altitude-reporting transponder or altitude-encoding transponder.

Aircraft with fuel tanks installed in the baggage or passenger compartments must have Form 337 on board.

ELT communications on the aeronautical emergency frequency 121.5 MHz and/or 406 MHz.

Light Sport Aircraft and pilots that meet the driver’s license standard are welcome in the Bahamas.

Departing the US

Flight Planning - Must land at Bahamas Airport of Entry (AOE) (AOE list)

File eAPIS using Easy eAPIS app at least 1 hour prior to departure (watch our detailed How To video)

Receive Departure Clearance email from US Customs

File and Activate Flight Plan

Prior to landing at Bahamas Airport of Entry (AOE), close your flight plan:

Nassau radio on 124.2 or 128.00
or call either 1-800-WXBRIEF or Nassau 1-242-377-7176.

Bahamas Customs processing fee – $50 per aircraft

C7a Bahamas Cruising Permit Form – 3 copies

Bahamas Immigration Card – One per person

Overview

The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the North Atlantic.

With over 100,000 square miles of the world's clearest waters it is hard to not relax.

The Bahamas are welcoming and easy to explore.

Departing the Bahamas

File eAPIS using Easy eAPIS app at least 2 hours prior to departure (watch our detailed How To video)

Receive Departure Clearance email from US Customs

Call Customs at US Airport Of Entry to confirm eAPIS/ arrival time / additional instructions upon arrival

Form C7 - Bahamas Customs General Declaration Outward Form – One copy

Bahamas departure tax – Pay $29 per person age 6 years+

File an International Flight Plan

Call 242-377-7116 or 1-800-WX-BRIEF.
or from air, Nassau Radio on 124.2, 128.0.

Activate your flight plan with Nassau on 124.2, 128.0 or Freeport 122.3.

If you are unable to do this, activate with Miami Radio 126.7, 126.9 or 118.4.

In Bimini, activate your flight plan on 122.1 (Miami Remote no voice) or listen to Bimini VOR 116.7.

VFR flights must receive a discrete transponder code from FSS 126.7 (Miami Radio) before penetrating the ADIZ zone. Flight Service is responsible, not Approach Control.

Depart from Airport of Entry

Before landing, close your flight plan on 126.7. If unable to, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF after landing.

You must land at an Airport of Entry on the East coast

Prepare the necessary documents, US Arrival Report (pilots only) and Customs Declaration cards (1 per family)