Important: There is no airport on Harbour Island, visitors will need to fly to North Eleuthera (the airport code for North Eleuthera Is ELH). It is the closest airport to Harbour island.
Documents needed prior to arrival in The Bahamas:
– Three copies of (C7A Bahamas Customs Form)
– Proof of Citizenship – Valid Passport
– One Immigration Card per person
Private flights from the US check list:
When private planes fly from the US to Eleuthera, Pilots in command need to make sure that they follow the standard processes in order to avoid any delays upon their arrival.
1. File a Flight Plan, www.fltplan.com (DVFR or IFR)
2. File an e-APIS (https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/) manifest outbound (we recommend doing the inbound at the same time)
3. Must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person onboard.
4. Activate Flight Plan before leaving Florida. Radio frequencies:
·Palm Beach 122.40
·Miami/Fort Lauderdale 122.20
·Fort Pierce 122.55
5. Prior to landing, close your flight plan with Nassau radio on 124.2 or 128.00. In order to close you may call 1-800-WXBRIEF or Nassau 1-242-377-7176. You can also use the blue phone at your disposal at your airport of entry free of charge.
6. Must land at an airport of entry (AOE) to clear customs and immigration.
7. Need to turn in 3 copies of the C7A (click here for PDF) general declaration form as well as a Bahamas immigration card – 1 per person.
8. By cooperating with customs and immigration they will be happy to help you.
9. If you fly VFR, you can contact Miami Flight Service for flight following and issuing a discreet squawk code. Frequencies are:
·Fort Pierce 132.25
·Palm Beach area 124.6
·Fort Lauderdale Executive 128.6
·Fort Lauderdale International 125.7, 133.85, 134.6
10. Close VFR Flight Plan
Procedures
1. Flight plan filing – call 1 800-WXBRIEF and file your flight plan over the phone. Computer based systems are also valid such as www.fltplan.com.
2. File the e-APIS (https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/) manifest – before filing the e-APIS manifest you need to enroll in the e-APIS manifest program.
3. Navigate the e-APIS program to enter pilot and crew information as well as airplane information. This needs to be done ahead of time but at least one hour prior to departure. You need to submit a notice of departure.
4. You do not need to depart from a US Airport of Entry (AOE).
5. Close the flight plan.
6. Clear Bahamian customs.
Private flights leave from the Bahamas the US:
Pilot in command should also comply with standard processes upon departure from the bahamas.
To Leave The Islands of The Bahamas Private Pilots Need:
All persons, six years and over leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, pay a Government Departure Tax of $29.00.
Inward Bound – To United States
1. File e-APIS manifest (https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/)
You need to file the e-APIS manifest to return to US at least one hour prior to departure. This can be done one day or many weeks ahead of time. See attached index for more details.
2. You must depart from an Airport of Entry (AOE).
3. File one copy of The Bahamas Customs (C7) (click here for PDF) and turn in The Bahamas immigration carbon copy.
4. Pay departure tax of $29 per person.
5. Call and advise U.S. Custom of your ETA via a land line and get “code” from the Customs Officer.
6. File an International Flight Plan 242-377-7116 or (1-800-WX-BRIEF). If in the air, call Nassau Radio
on 124.2, 128.0.
7. Activate your flight plan with Nassau on 124.2, 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or 122.3 (Freeport Radio).
If you are unable to do this, activate with Miami Radio 126.7, 126.9. In Bimini, activate your
flight plan on 122.1(Miami Remote no voice) or listen to Bimini VOR 116.7.
8. VFR flights must receive a discrete transponder code from FSS 126.7 (Miami Radio) before
penetrating the ADIZ zone. Flight Service is responsible, not Approach Control.
9. Prior to landing close your flight plan on 126.7. If you are not able to, close at Customs office with
1-800-WX -BRIEF
10. You must land at an Airport of Entry on the East Coast
11. Take all baggage out of airplane and proceed directly to Customs.
12. Prepare the necessary documents, U.S. Arrival Report (pilots only) and Customs Declaration cards
(1 per family). Please fill out in advance if possible.
Bahamas Customs Forms