International visitors must clear into and out of the country via a Port of Entry. As we are not such a port, we advise that you plan your route around our coast with your entry and exit ports in mind. From the East, they are:
Once cleared in, you are free to roam as you please, and you do not have to clear out at the same port you came in.( Clearance at the same port is to be done if the you plan to sail directly to a foreign country from any of the above mentioned ports of entry) At this moment if a yacht is lighter than 100tons then it is seen as a pleasure vessel and is therefore exempted from clearing customs after the first port of entry and that person will then only clear customs at the last port of exit and nowhere in between..(E.g. entry at Cape Town and exit clearance at Richards bay)
Foreign registered yachts may only stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months. There after they must leave South Africa. Keep in mind that the yacht is not allowed to be stored in South Africa. (E.g. the owner cannot fly home and leave his yacht behind.) If a yacht was built in South Africa and is sailing for the first time going for delivery or ownership was taken over, it may only return once a full year has elapsed. Failure to observe these requirements can lead to seizure of the said yacht, fines, -etc.
The following documents are needed for the arrival clearance of your yacht:
1. DA1 form – Inward /outward clearance
2. Yacht registration documents.
When leaving for an international clearance the following procedure applies (all to be presented to the customs officer upon clearance):
1. Immigration clearance
2. Letter from the yacht club
3. Registration document of the yacht
4. A completed DA1 form for outward clearance of the yacht
5. DA3 –in order to be cleared for sailing to an international destination