Yachts arriving from other islands should only drop their anchor in a port of entry. Then as soon as possible after arriving, the captain, or authorized representative, should go to the customs (douanes) office and make the required immigration and customs declaration.
Formalities in Martinique are free of charge and can be performed at the following customs offices and authorized agents :
Les Anses d'Arlet Le P'ti Bateau (restaurant & internet cafe) - Grande Anse d'Arlet (opposite the dock) - 05 96 65 50 19 - Open daily : 9:30am-6pm (low season), 9:30am-midnight (high season).
Fort-de-France DCML Sarl (Total gaz station) - Carénantilles - Baie des Tourelles - 05 96 71 74 64
Open Mon-Sat, 8am-7pm, Sun and bank holidays, 8am-1pm.
Sea Services Chandlery - 109, rue Ernest Deproge - 05 96 70 26 69 - Open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:15pm - Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm
Le Marin Customs office (Douanes) - Le Marin Marina (near Mécanique Plaisance) - 05 96 74 91 64
Open daily : 7am to 12:30pm, including bank holidays.
Saint-Pierre Cyber Café l'Escapade - Rue Gabriel Péri - Open daily from 9am to 3pm and 6 to 10pm. Closed on Monday.
La Trinité Brigade de surveillance nautique de Trinité (mobile customs unit) Raisiniers - 05 96 74 91 64 - By appointment only.
This list was correct at the time this issue went to press but is subject to change. To get the latest update, please consult customs services.
Staying and working in Martinique
Boats visiting Martinique may stay up to 18 months under temporary admission, provided the purpose of the stay is tourism. When that deadline expires, the boat must depart or the owner will have to import the yacht and pay the required duty.
Yachtsmen who settle in Martinique may be exempt from duty under certain conditions (if they are moving house, for exemple, and the boat is part of the move, or if a boat is placed in bond in Martinique while the owner is absent from the island). For more information about leaving a yacht in Martinique contact the customs office in Fort-de-France.
The local taxes mentioned above are :
VAT : 8,5% (ordinary rate). This tax is levied only once on any given merchandise and is therefore not due in Martinique if it has already been paid in metropolitan France, for instance. However, differences are not refundable.
Octroi de mer : 7%.
Octroi de mer régional (formerly Droit additionnel) : 2,5% on top of VAT and Octroi de Mer.
