India - Clearance
In recent years entry formalities for visiting yachts have been simplified in India and officials are reported to be more cooperative; in the major ports of entry the authorities are now more familiar with visiting yachts and therefore less troublesome. Several Customs and port organisations have their own sailing clubs and are therefore welcoming to visiting sailors.
However, wherever you check in, the system will take some time to complete (two days at least). Ensure you have plenty of photocopies of all documents and multiple copies of passport photos.
PRE-ARRIVAL
All foreign yachts entering Indian waters are required to provide Pre-Arrival notification on Security (PANS). The PANS shall be communicated by yachts at least 96 hours prior to arrival. For details of how and where to send the PANS see this PDF by the Directorate General of Shipping (February 2020). Send to: dhq11@indiancoastguard.nic.in
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Ports of Entry:
Persons holding an e-visa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports and the following five designated seaports: Mumbai, Cochin (Kochi), Mormugao (Goa), Chennai, New Mangalore. See Immigration for more details on visas.
Advance Notification:
When approaching any major port, at approximately 12 miles offshore, you should first call the Coast Guard on Channel 16 and then Port Control on Channels 16 or 12. Various details will be asked including an ETA. Once at the port entrance, permission to enter must be requested. Port Control will advise where to moor.
If bringing goods into the country which need to be declared, a Customs Declaration can be completed in advance. See Customs for more details.
General Process:
For a list of documents required for entry into India see Documents. You will need plenty of copies of each so get prepared before leaving your last port. Each office will have a questionnaire to complete.
- Port Health will board first if the vessel has touched any other country in the last 14 days. They will likely do a temperature check on all crew and will want to know the last 10 ports visited.
- Immigration next, who will stamp all crew inward at the first Port of Entry and out at the last port. See Immigration for further details. A subsequent visit to the Immigration office may be required.
- Customs will board next, complete paperwork and hand you a sealed envelope for Customs at the next Port. They will mention details of your declaration at the first Port and seal the Hand Held Satellite Phone if there is one on board. See Customs for all rules.
- Port Captain will want copies of everything. Port Control may visit the yacht first, but probably won’t want to board.
- Coastal Police will likely visit a day or so after your arrival and want a copy of all arrival documents.
Domestic Cruising:
If cruising along the coast of India you will need to complete formalities in each of the major ports you visit. The amount of paperwork involved is likely to make coastal cruising an unattractive option.
In addition, you are likely to be visited by the coastguard from time to time, who may wish to board your vessel and check you out. They are generally very professional and worth keeping in touch with. On other occasions, you may be approached by local officials, who may ask for gifts. The best advice is to refer such requests to the Coast Guard.
If heading to the Andamans, read in full the specific clearance procedures for the Andaman Islands.
CLEARING OUT
Immigration, Port Captain and Customs all need to be visited on departure. First go to Immigration to have exit stamps put in all passports. Then visit the Port Captain to pay all port dues and take the receipt to Customs who will issue the Port Clearance. In some ports you will need to also get a certificate from the Port health Officer.
Last updated: April 2023
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We cleared in at Kochi after sending pre-arrival notification (PANS). First Port (Harbor) Control came to see us, but they asked questions without coming on board. Then Health, who came on board, did a temperature check but no masks required (and he did not ask about our vaccination status) and finally Port Marina and Immigration.
They all had 3 copies of questionnaires and wanted to know the last 10 ports visited(one wanted to know the last 10 countries visited). They wanted to see the ships papers, number, port registration, etc. etc. They wrote everything down on all 3 copies.
The day after the visits on board, we had to visit the office of immigration. They entered some of the data into a computer. Then we had to go to the Port Marina office and answer some more questions. We had to pay (me and 1 crew) around 1200 rupies (approx. $15). We got a statement that we would be allowed to leave the anchorage and move to the marina. Then we had to go to customs .. which by mistake were not informed. A questionnaire was prepared and a Customs officer went with us in the dinghy back to the boat. He inspected the boat and put the Iridium Go phone in a compartment and sealed it. Then he wrote down some food we had .. white beans 3 cans, red beans 2 cans, fruit peach 2 cans … and so forth.
Back at the Customs office he guided us to another Customs department where my ships papers were taken as a deposit. We then had to wait around 30 minutes while that guy then got some other departments informed. Then we could leave.
There is a local guy that helps you. He and his brother took over the “service” from their father. He contacts sailors and offers help. He is not a clearing agent nor an approved importer, but he knows his way around all the offices. He’s called Nisam – phone +91 97464 62686.
27 hours after arrival we could proceed to the marina.
In general India (or at least the state of Kerala), probably doesn’t understand the cash / income they could make with yachts visiting. Maitenance of the marina is bad.
What comes first? Infrastructure for boats or the boats? I would not recommend others to stop here.
E-Visa normally processed in 72hours not 60days. Took 12 hours for our visas to be granted.
Lakshadweep Islands: Update received from Indian boat owner who was granted a permit to visit these islands for a period of 9 days in February 2015. He reports that the process is difficult and one must push to get an answer from the Island Administrator. See RESTRICTIONS above in the Formalities section for details of how to apply for a permit.
Posted on behalf of Brian Thurlow from Cochin, India:
It is difficult, or nearly impossible for foreign boats to visit the Lakshadweep Islands. We have one Indian owned catamaran in the marina who did the trip last year with at least one European crew. I will contact him for details. He said it was difficult, but not impossible. Waiting for an update.
Does anyone have any info on visiting the Lakshadweep islands?
Was in Kochi (Cochin) at the end of February 2014 on s/y Anima. Stay in International Marina. You must anchor off near Port Control for clearance. Port security comes onboard to check the boat, after that you will go ashore with a security officer for customs and immigration. Be ready to spend a whole day (or more, if you come on Sunday). After clearance, you’ll go to the Harbourmaster office to take permission to go to Marina. Channel to the marina is good markered, but not so good dragged – there was 1.8 minimal depth at MHWS, take care! Marina is empty but still works. Maybe you will meet Bebe – tuk-tuk driver. You can solve almost any problem with his assistance.