The Paperwork

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by svBeBe

As for gifts for officials, many collect those shoulder/arm patches of police and sheriff's departments. Sometimes you can buy these at a local police uniform shop. These take up no space or weight on your boat and sometimes make a nice inexpensive "gift" when clearing into a country.

Judy
S/V BeBe

I have key ring size stuffed koalas and kagaroos that discount souveneer shops sell in packetes of 10 or 12 for between $2 and $5. So from 20 cents each thats the only bribe I'll pay.

Easy to buy when you are at home.

[barnakiel]

You have to see the legal requirements two ways:

1) towards the boat,
2) towards the crew.

The boat needs a registration paper.

The crew need passports.

Now, depending on where you go, you may need the visa or not. Now, depending on where you go, you may have to pre-advise the local authorities, or not. Same rule applies to insurance papers.

In most cases, you enter the country, contact the marina master or harbour master and they tell you where to go first, then the officials will sort of push you along.

You may be able to know most (but at times not all) the info by:
- reading the countries´relevant websites,
- reading recent cruising guides,
- reading info on e.g. noonsite, (under ´formalities´),
- searching/asking on the Cruising Forum, other forums,
- talking to other sailors going the same way.

b.