For vaccinated crews, the BVI Customs Department is now using SailClear as its pre-arrival registration portal. Captains planning to visit the British Virgin Islands should register at the SailClear web site and then complete the required arrival notification. In addition to boat and crew details which are logged as part of the registration process, vaccination cards, negative Covid test result certificates, and medical insurance will need to be uploaded.
Additionally, each crewmember must pre-register for a rapid antigen test (cost $50) at the intended arrival point: West End Ferry Terminal – https://westend.bvi.care/ or Road Town Ferry Terminal – https://rtferry.bvi.care/. Everyone onboard over 5 years old is required to take the antigen rapid test on arrival.
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated crew can also enter the territory. However, they will be required to complete the BVI Gateway Portal, take a PCR rest on arrival, and quarantine as directed by the Health Department.
For the full BVI entry protocols visit our home page: www.nannycay.com
About SailClear
SailClear was developed by the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council in 2013. The online system was designed to meet the clearance requirements of Customs, Immigration and Port Authorities throughout regional territories.
Countries using this portal are the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Curacao, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Montserrat.
The SailClear service allows a user to freely sign up by registering for a user account. Once this account is activated a user can begin entering voyage details and other information related to crew, passengers and stores. This submitted information is immediately available to Customs and other authorities, therefore the notification process through SailClear can be done any time prior to arrival.
On arrival, the yacht captain is still required to present himself to authorities at the port of entry bearing essential documents such as passports and vessel registration information. During processing, the Customs and Immigration officials will electronically retrieve the submitted information and will verify and print the official declaration forms generated from the system in this way, the yacht and crew information is processed electronically from the pre-submitted information rather than using the traditional handwritten forms. This seamless process results in a reduced processing time for individuals.
The system has been designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. The benefit is realized through subsequent voyages, since only minimal edits of previously entered information is needed in order to create new entries.
