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CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION

The Private Jet
Customs Authority.

Everything a pilot, operator, or passenger needs to clear the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and US Customs on a private flight. Curated by Vanbert Aviation's operations team.

Flying private into the Bahamas or returning to Florida involves a distinct customs and immigration workflow that differs sharply from commercial travel. This hub collects, in one place, every form, permit, fee, and procedure you will touch during a typical charter.

The guides below are maintained by the Vanbert operations desk. We handle dozens of Bahamas and TCI clearances every month, and we rewrite these pages whenever a regulation changes.

What's Covered

  • Bahamas General Declaration & C7A passenger form
  • Bahamas eTicket (Click2Clear) portal
  • CTOT slot management for Nassau (MYNN)
  • Ports of Entry across all Bahamian islands
  • Turks & Caicos private arrival procedure
  • US eAPIS filing for private aircraft
  • US CBP Airports of Entry and User Fee airports
  • CBP Decal annual user fee decal
  • Pet import permits
  • Firearm permits and ammunition limits
  • Overflight and landing permits for non-US aircraft
  • FBO customs coverage by airport

Start Here: the 12 Guides

BAHAMAS

Bahamas Customs Overview

The master walkthrough for a private jet arrival into any Bahamian Port of Entry.

 BAHAMAS

C7A Declaration Form

Field by field walkthrough of the C7A inward passenger declaration.

 BAHAMAS

Bahamas eTicket System

How the Click2Clear portal works and how to fix rejected submissions.

 TCI

Turks & Caicos Overview

Full private jet arrival procedure for Providenciales and Grand Turk.

 UNITED STATES

US APIS / eAPIS Filing

The 60 minute manifest submission required for every international private flight into the US.

 UNITED STATES

US CBP for Private Arrivals

How CBP processes private aircraft at Airports of Entry and User Fee airports.

 PETS

Pet Import Permits

Dogs, cats, and birds into the Bahamas with rabies and health certificate guidance.

 FIREARMS

Firearm Import Permits

Hunting and sport shooting firearms into the Bahamas with ammunition limits.

 CREW

Overflight & Landing Permits

When a foreign registered aircraft needs a Bahamas or TCI permit.

 FBOS

FBO Customs by Airport

Which FBO handles customs at each Bahamian, TCI, and Florida field.

 UNITED STATES

CBP Remote Video Inspection

How qualified private jets clear CBP by video call at smaller airports.

 FEES

Fees at a Glance

Landing fees, customs stamps, navigation fees, CBP decal, and APIS service fees.

The Core Workflow for a Bahamas Charter

A typical Vanbert-operated leg from South Florida to Nassau follows this sequence. Understanding it end to end is the fastest way to understand why each of the sub pages exists.

  1. Trip booked, passports collected

    Passenger passport data, birth date, nationality, and crew data are collected 48 to 72 hours before departure.

  2. Bahamas eTicket submitted

    Every passenger and crew member files an eTicket and carries the QR confirmation.

  3. General Declaration filed

    Operator or handler files the GenDec with Bahamas Customs before arrival.

  4. eAPIS manifest filed for return

    For the return leg to the US, the eAPIS manifest is filed no later than 60 minutes before departure.

  5. CTOT slot requested if MYNN

    Nassau uses a CTOT slot system during peak periods, coordinated through the handler.

  6. Arrival at Bahamas POE

    Aircraft lands at a Port of Entry and passengers present passport, C7A, and eTicket QR.

  7. Fees paid on the ramp

    Landing fee, customs overtime, and departure tax are typically settled at the FBO desk.

  8. Return filing and US arrival

    APIS confirmed, CBP notified of ETA, aircraft lands at a US Airport of Entry with the CBP decal visible.

Why Private Is Different

Commercial passengers are processed in batches through terminals built for passport control queues. Private passengers clear on the ramp or inside a small FBO room, often with one officer assigned to the arrival.

  • The operator or PIC is liable for manifest accuracy, not a commercial carrier.
  • Advance notice windows are shorter, but filings are still mandatory.
  • Ports of Entry are limited and not every island can serve as first landing.
  • Fees include user fees for certain private inspection environments.

How to Use These Guides

If you are a charter client, skim the Bahamas overview and the US APIS page. That is 90% of what you will personally touch. The rest you can delegate to Vanbert.

If you are a pilot or operator new to the region, read all 12 pages in sequence and keep the FBO customs matrix bookmarked.

If you are bringing pets or firearms, read those dedicated pages first because the permit lead times can derail a trip if started too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do private jet passengers still need the Bahamas eTicket?
Yes. The eTicket is required for all arrivals by air or sea, commercial or private. Every passenger and crew member files separately and carries the QR confirmation.
What is the difference between eAPIS and APIS?
APIS is the underlying US program. eAPIS is the portal operators and private pilots use to file it.
Can I clear customs at Staniel Cay or Harbour Island directly?
No. These are not Ports of Entry. You must first land at Nassau, North Eleuthera, Exuma, or another valid POE.
How early should the GenDec be filed?
Bahamas Customs asks for the General Declaration at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day filings may work in practice, but 24 hours is the safer standard.
Is a CBP decal required for the return to the US?
Yes. Every private aircraft arriving in the US from abroad needs a current CBP User Fee Decal.

NEED HELP CLEARING CUSTOMS?

Vanbert Handles Everything.

Our operations team files your GenDec, APIS, eTicket, and coordinates FBO customs for every flight. You just show up.

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