Commercial

Ships must report to Customs within 6 hours of arrival

If arriving outside office hours:

• Clearance must occur the next working day before 10:00 AM

Clearance requires:

• Ship papers
• Cargo documents (manifests)
• Complete cargo list

Failure to report may result in customs surveillance or enforcement action.

The following are generally exempt (but still subject to inspection):

• Local fishing vessels (returning with fish only)
• Private yachts (unless carrying passengers or commercial goods)
• Tugboats (no cargo onboard)
• Warships (unless carrying commercial cargo)

Yachts must report arrival immediately to Customs.

Cargo Manifest Must Include:

• Description of goods (true commercial name)
• Number and marks of packages
• Gross weight or volume
• Country of origin
• Shipper’s name and address
• Vessel name

Documents may be prepared in:

• English
• Dutch
• French

Businesses must maintain proper records of imports, exports, and related activities for at least 10 years and provide them to customs authorities upon request.

Goods recovered from:

• Shipwrecks
• Maritime accidents
• Goods lost at sea

Goods must be reported immediately to Customs.

Such goods may be re-exported duty-free within a timeframe determined by Customs.

The two nation islands share borders with two different administrations. Laws that apply to one administration may not be the same for the other. Shippers should take this into account while crossing borders.

Goods may only be imported:

By land: only at approved Dutch–French border crossings:

• Illidge Road
• Union Road
• Oyster Pond
• Lowlands Road
• Concordia

Entry elsewhere requires written permission from the Inspector of Customs.

Permission is not granted if excise goods are part of the shipment.

Excise goods (including alcoholic beverages) are subject to:

• Mandatory physical verification
• Measurement and strength testing
• Strict documentation requirements
• Controlled storage and distribution

Retailers must maintain valid import documentation, particularly for distilled spirits.

Goods leaving Sint Maarten are subject to customs supervision.

Export documentation must be completed before departure.
Vehicles, vessels, and cargo may be inspected prior to exit.

According to the Landsverordening op de in-, uit- en doorvoer, the Customs Department of Sint Maarten charges fees for specific official services they provide, particularly when those services go beyond normal administrative processing or require special handling.

Service charges apply for:

• Services outside normal office hours (07:00–12:00 / 13:00–16:00)
• Weekend or public holiday processing
• Special location inspections
• Supervision at private storage sites

Costs are borne by the requesting party.

Leave a message or contact our headquarters directly for more information.

For clarification on customs procedures, documentation requirements, or electronic filing access, please contact the Sint Maarten Customs Department.

We are committed to facilitating lawful trade and protecting our borders.