Customs & Immigration declaration, duty free and animals
Private visiting vessels
Maritime Customs and Immigration Declaration
Visiting vessels to the Island should present themselves to Customs and Immigration Officers at a “Designated Port”.
St Helier and Gorey are classed as a “Designated Port” by virtue of both Article 12 of the Customs and Excise (Jersey) Law, 1999 and the Immigration (Designated Ports of Entry and Exit) (Jersey) Act 2011.
The owner/master of a visiting yacht must fly the yellow ‘Q’ flag as soon as they enter the territorial waters of the Bailiwick of Jersey, if they meet the following criteria:
- from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
- from within the EEA, but with non EEA nationals on board
- with any goods to declare, including restricted or prohibited goods
The ‘Q’ flag must remain flown until clearance has been received by a Customs and Immigration Officer.
European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals
| Austria | Liechtenstein |
| Belgium | Lithuania |
| Cyprus | Luxembourg |
| Czech Republic | Malta |
| Denmark | Netherlands |
| Estonia | Norway |
| Finland | Poland |
| France | Portugal |
| Germany | Slovakia |
| Greece | Slovenia |
| Hungary | Spain |
| Iceland | Sweden |
| Ireland | Switzerland* |
| Italy | United Kingdom |
| Latvia | |
*Switzerland is not in the EEA but an international treaty gives Swiss nationals similar rights as EEA nationals within the United Kingdom.
Duty free
Duty free goods are available to local and visiting craft upon departure from St Helier.
The independent operator ‘Boat Fayre’ provides a door-to-door ordering and delivery service to yachts. For more information or to place an order, telephone +44 (0) 7797 859 592.
Information about personal duty-free allowances for alcohol, tobacco and other goods when arriving in Jersey (including the alternative allowance) is available on the Government of Jersey website.
Pets and animals
Travelling with pets by leisure or pleasure craft to Jersey from the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland.
There are no restrictions for pets coming directly into Jersey from the Channel Islands, UK or Isle of Man. Pets traveling from the Republic of Ireland must be accompanied by a valid pet passport.
However, the skipper/master of the vessel must notify Jersey Coastguard (VHF Channel 82) or St Helier VTS (VHF Channel 14) before arriving at a Jersey harbour or anchorage.
Regardless of status or origin, animals are not permitted in St Helier Marina. Vessels with animals on board wishing to berth in St Helier will be directed to Elizabeth Marina (subject to availability) or to the holding pontoons on number 4 and 5 berths outside St Helier Marina.
Pet passport information on Government of Jersey website
Boats with animals on board arriving from other territories or countries
Only an approved carrier can bring a pet into Jersey from other territories.
The skipper/master of any vessel with a pet on-board intending to anchor off Jersey must notify Jersey Coastguard (VHF Channel 82) or St Helier VTS (VHF Channel 14) before arrival.
- You will not be permitted to bring the pet into Jersey
- You will not be permitted to use an alongside or drying berth
- You may anchor off the coast but the pet must not be landed ashore
In an emergency, eg to seek shelter, Jersey Coastguard or St Helier VTS should be contacted and advised that a pet is on-board.
A secure and isolated berth or mooring will be allocated, but the animal is not permitted to land, unless under licence issued by the Department of the Environment of the Government of Jersey.
The berth may be observed by CCTV to ensure compliance.
