India - Customs
Arriving by Yacht:
See Customs Guide for Travelers.
When you have your Customs inspection on board, it is worth preparing as follows:
- Put all alcohol in a designated locker that can be sealed (Customs will want to do this until you depart). It can be sealed with your paper, your tape, and their stamp.
- Make sure any portable Satcom (Iridium Go) devices can be sealed in the same area. The use of portable Satcom equipment and drones is governed by strict regulations and highly regulated.
- Certain firearms and weapons are prohibited, and those permitted require a Possession Licence. All arms and ammunition will be sealed by Customs and treated as bonded goods onboard the vessel.
- Live plants cannot be imported. Skins of all animals, such as snakes, tigers, etc. and articles made of them, cannot be exported. There are also restrictions on the export of antiquities.
ATITHI app is an easy to use mobile application for international travellers to file a Customs declaration (if needed) in advance. The app is available on Android and iOS platforms. Go to https://www.cbic.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/Atithi/atithi.
Length of Stay:
Yachts normally can remain in India six months. This can only be extended for good reason.
Bringing in Parts and Spares:
Spare parts may be air freighted from abroad without the recipient paying customs duty. Such items must arrive by air cargo and be cleared on a form called “Bill of Entry” at nil rate of duty bringing spares for a foreign vessel.
Cruisers report using AliExpress for parts from China and having to pay sizeable duty and taxes. In addition, shipping items from the USA via UPS, DHL and FEDEX is quick but will incur shipping charges and again, sizeable duty and taxes (48%) due to it being air cargo.
Customs duty exemption is not available through air courier services. It is probably simpler to source what you need locally or bring in such parts as personal luggage. You are advised to bring a “marina letter” (prepared by the Marina Manager) so that Immigration clearly understands your situation.
Often the supplier will mark down the price so that Customs charges will be reduced or even zero.
India does not respect “Yacht in Transit” and probably never will.
Last updated: November 2021
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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.