Bahamas Customs & Excise • Port Department Maritime Authority

Bahamas Yacht Cruising & Charter VAT Calculator

Determine statutory entry cruising permits, passenger departure dues, foreign commercial charter permits (4%), and 10% VAT for pleasure vessels navigating Bahamian waters.

First 3 persons included in permit; additional persons pay BSD$29 departure tax

Includes standard line fishing allowance in Bahamian EEZ

Bahamas Maritime Regulations & Luxury Yacht Taxation

The Bahamas is one of the premier yachting and superyacht destinations in the world. Cruising permits and commercial charters are strictly regulated:

Customs Cruising Permit Tiers

Cruising permits are valid for 90 days and cover up to 3 crew/passengers plus a recreational fishing permit. Fees: BSD$150 (≤ 34ft), BSD$300 (35-99ft), BSD$600 (100-149ft), BSD$1,000 (150-199ft), and BSD$1,600 (200ft+). Additional passengers pay BSD$29.00 departure tax.

Commercial Charter Tax (14%)

Foreign-flagged commercial charter yachts operating in The Bahamas must obtain a charter licence from the Bahamas Port Department. Effective July 1, 2022, charters are subject to a 4% Port Department Charter Fee plus standard 10% Value Added Tax (VAT), totaling 14% on the base charter fee.

📊 Bahamian Statutory Payroll & Tax Breakdown Matrix

Statutory Component / Legal Deduction Item Calculated Amount (BSD)
Primary Net / Statutory Payable Amount $0.00
MS

Engr. Muhammad Shahzad

Principal Financial Systems Architect & Commonwealth of the Bahamas Tax & NIB Social Security Specialist

Lead software and systems architect specializing in high-performance browser computing, algorithmic validation, financial models, and zero-telemetry client-side privacy architecture.

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