Clearing Into
The Bahamas.

Bahamas customs clearance for a private jet is straightforward when the filings are done right, and punishing when they are not. A late General Declaration can delay a block release. A missing eTicket QR sends a passenger back out to WiFi in the FBO. A first-landing at the wrong airport is a mandatory ferry flight to the nearest Port of Entry at the crew’s expense. This guide walks the full arrival end to end so nothing is missed.

Who Regulates the Arrival

Three Bahamian agencies touch a private jet arrival:

• Bahamas Customs Department — accepts the General Declaration, stamps the C7A, inspects baggage, collects landing and customs fees.
• Bahamas Immigration Department — stamps passports, verifies eTicket QR, grants length of stay (typically 90 days for US, UK, Canada).
• Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) — manages airspace, slot coordination at MYNN, and operator approvals.

For routine private flights carrying US/Canadian/UK passengers, the BCAA touch point is limited to slot coordination. Customs and Immigration own the actual clearance.

The Three Pre-Flight Filings

1. eTicket (per passenger)

Every passenger and crew member must file an eTicket at bahamaseticket.gov.bs (sometimes called Click2Clear). The form captures passport data, flight details, accommodation in the Bahamas, and a simple health declaration. Once submitted, the system returns a QR code per traveler, typically by email within minutes.

The eTicket can be filed up to 72 hours before arrival. It is free. There is no limit on resubmission — if a passenger is added late, they simply file their own. Full walkthrough on the Bahamas eTicket page.

2. General Declaration (operator)

The GenDec is filed by the operator or their handler with Bahamas Customs at least 24 hours before arrival. It lists aircraft registration, crew, passengers, port of departure, estimated arrival time, and cargo. The filing is typically made by email to the arrival station’s Customs office, or via the operator’s flight planning service (JetConnex, Universal, ARINCDirect, etc.).

3. C7A (per passenger, signed on arrival)

The C7A is the Inward Passenger Declaration. Each passenger 16+ signs one on arrival, declaring currency, goods, and items of value. It is not a pre-flight filing strictly speaking — the form is usually handed out on the aircraft during descent or at the FBO desk. Full field guide on the C7A page.

Ports of Entry

A private aircraft arriving from outside the Bahamas must first-land at a designated Port of Entry. You cannot land at, say, Staniel Cay (MYES) or Cat Island (MYCB) directly from Florida — even if that is your eventual destination. The required sequence is: POE first, clear customs, then continue on the domestic leg.

Outside published hours, customs officers can be called out at overtime rates (typically $75 to $150 depending on station and day of week). Same for Sundays and Bahamian public holidays at non-24 hour fields.

CTOT Slots at Nassau

MYNN operates under a slot coordination system during peak seasons and peak hours. A CTOT (Calculated Take-Off Time) is issued by air traffic flow management and specifies a departure window from your origin airport to manage Nassau arrival flow. CTOTs commonly appear on Friday afternoons inbound, Sunday afternoons outbound, during Junkanoo, and around major resort events.

Slots are typically coordinated 24 to 48 hours in advance through the arrival handler. Missing a CTOT by more than 5 minutes late or 15 minutes early can require re-filing. Vanbert’s ops desk manages CTOT requests on every Nassau trip we broker.

Fees and Costs

A private jet arrival into the Bahamas typically carries the following charges. Numbers are ranges rather than fixed because they scale with aircraft weight and station.

The Crew Binder

Bahamian customs and immigration can ask to see any of the following on arrival. Maintain a physical copy in the cockpit in addition to digital.

• Aircraft airworthiness certificate
• Aircraft registration
• Radio station license (FCC for US registered)
• Insurance certificate naming the Bahamas
• Pilot certificates and medicals (current)
• Operator Part 135 certificate (if Part 135 trip)
• Weight & balance / load manifest
• GenDec copy (stamped or to be stamped)

Typical Timeline

1. T-72h: eTicket filed

   Each passenger receives a QR code. File early to catch any data errors.

2. T-24h: GenDec filed

   Handler or operator emails Customs at the arrival station.

3. T-24h: CTOT requested if MYNN

   Slot coordination through handler. Required only in peak windows.

4. T-2h: Passengers arrive at Florida FBO

   C7A forms distributed. Passports verified against manifest.

5. T-0: Departure

   Block out, taxi, takeoff to Bahamas.

6. On arrival: Taxi to customs ramp

   Stop at designated customs position. Pax stay onboard until cleared to deplane.

7. Clearance in FBO

   Immigration stamps passports, customs reviews C7A, baggage inspected as required. Typical elapsed time: 10 to 25 minutes.

8. Fees settled at FBO

   Handler presents invoice; credit card or US cash accepted.

Common Mistakes

• Missing eTickets for children — every passenger needs one, regardless of age.
• Misspelled passport surname on GenDec vs passport — holds the arrival until corrected.
• Landing after hours at a non-24h POE without prearranged overtime — the officer may simply not be there, resulting in a hold on the ramp.
• Cash tips to officers — do not offer. All fees are receipted and paid to the FBO.
• Loose pets without an import permit — the Bahamas will deny entry to animals without pre-issued permits. See pet guide.

After Clearance: The Domestic Leg

Once cleared at the POE, domestic legs to out islands (Staniel Cay, Harbour Island on North Eleuthera bus, Cat Island, etc.) are simply domestic VFR hops. No further customs. The same aircraft can continue that day or stay overnight and depart the next morning without re-clearing.

On the return to the US, you re-clear US CBP at your chosen Airport of Entry — typically KFLL, KOPF, KPBI, KFXE, or KMIA. That workflow lives on the US CBP page.

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Frequently Asked Questions